xxxii 



DESCRIPTIV^E CHAPTERS. 



shire and Kincardineshire, which reach the respectable elevations of 

 the 2500-feet levels. When we get amongst those to the west of Glen 

 Clova, the ridge begins to ascend, and the 3000-feet altitudes are 

 again reached. I mention only a few of these: Dreish (3105 feet), 

 Mayar (3043), Glas Maol (3502)— close to the divide— Creag 

 Leacach (3238), Glas Thulachan (3445), and Cam an Eigh (3377). 

 Tlien comes the giant Ben-y-Gloe (3671), and westwards through the 

 AthoU forest-tops, reaching similar altitudes, such as Beinn Dearg 

 (3304), and Glas Mheall Mor (3037). 



Dominant in the north-west again, we come to Marcaonich — 

 already mentioned — a great flat-topped mountain on the march line 

 between Tay and Moray. 



Among the lower foot-hills of the Grampians, especially in the 

 north-east, there is singular richness in wild berries. All over the 

 round-topped hills, for instance, of the upper Inshewan shootings, 

 near Kirriemuir, I have found when shooting there in August acres 

 and acres of Scottish cranberries ( V. vitis iclcea) ; and alongside 

 the roads in the minor valleys are great stores of vigorous cane- 

 brakes loaded with rich full-sized w41d rasps equal to the finest 

 garden produce. On the stonier ground of the slopes, as, for instance, 

 on the steep sides of the Den of the Batternach, above the old pine 

 woods, the creeping plants of the crow-berry {Empetrum nigruni) 

 cover the interspaces, and cling even against the loose stones them- 

 selves. Higher, on the further tops, a few patches of avern plants 

 [Euhus chameirwrus) bear some fruit, but the larger areas of this 

 plant, with its delicious berries, occupy the higher levels at about 

 2500 or 2600 feet.^ 



1 The avern is usually found in Scotland in greatest quantities ahove the 2600- 

 feet levels. But I know of one locality in the midland counties of Scotland where 

 it flourishes and bears abundantly and very regularly, and that at not more than 

 1000-feet altitude. At this locality, in 1901, I had more than 57 lbs. of fruit 

 gathered ; and in 1904, 50 lbs. Though I had known of this low-lying loealitj'^ for a 

 number of years, the fact was long discredited by our botanists, and their ovm. in- 

 spection alone con^^nced them, I am not, however, aware of other places where 

 they flourish thus at such a low elevation in any such profusion or fruit so regularly, 

 unless they may do so anywhere to the south of the Borders. Much of this country 

 around these foot-hills partakes to a considerable degree of the natural features of 

 what has been elsewhere described as " Carn-districts." (See our volumes on the 

 Moray Basik. ) 



Avern or cloud berry of Scotland and England [Rvhus chamemarus) ; Moltebaer 

 of Norway ; Moro^hka of Russia ; *' Knoop " — local in north of Scotland. 



