IN ASCENDING REGIONS. 63 



struck with a very decided change in the vegetation from 

 that which is familiar to us in the plains. Cyperaceae 

 and Ericineae in a great degree overwhelm and displace 

 the Gramineae and Leguminosae in untilled lands. The 

 woods of oak, ash, and beech are giving way to those of 

 birch and fir. Pyrus aucuparia and Populus tremula are 

 substituted for Corylus avellana and Ilex Aquifolium. 

 The roses, brambles, and willows, most plentiful in the 

 plains, yield partially, or entirely to other forms of their 

 respective genera prevailing here. Myrica Gale, Geranium 

 sylvaticum, Trollius europaeus, Habenaria albida, Gym- 

 nadenia conopsea, Pinguicula vulgaris, Rubus saxatilis, 

 Arbutus Uva-Ursi, Vaccinium Vitis-Idasa, V. Myrtillus, 

 Empetrum nigrum, Pyrola media, Saxifraga hypnoides, 

 Polygonum viviparum, Epilobium angustifolium are often 

 seen in abundance. Saxifraga aizoides, S. stellaris, Al- 

 chemilla alpina and Tofieldia palustris are also frequent. 

 And of species common in the plains we still have, in 

 great profusion, Festuca ovina, Triodia decumbens, Nardus 

 stricta, Melica caerulea, Aira caespitosa, Galium saxatile, 

 Juncus bufonius, Rumex Acetosa, Erica cinerea, E. Te- 

 tralix, Calluna vulgaris, Leontodon Taraxacum (usually 

 as L. palustre), and several species of Carex. 



Wheat is cultivated only in the lower part of the region, 

 and in the Highlands chiefly along the eastern coast. In 

 the north of England this grain succeeds to 1000 feet. 

 (Winch), but in the middle or north of Scotland it appears 

 doubtful whether it has proved worth while to cultivate it 

 above 250 yds. Mr. Brand informs me that the state- 

 ment respecting its cultivation up to 1000 yds in For- 

 farshire (Headrick's Agricultural Survey) is erroneous. 

 Oats and rye ascend higher than wheat, and some varieties 

 of barley and potato, yet higher, close the scene of culti- 

 vation ; which is fixed by W 7 inch at 2000 feet in the north 

 of England. But in point of fact this must apply very 

 locally, for there is little cultivation beyond 500 yds of 



