West : Field Botany in Scotland. 



95 



A. petrophila, var. acuminata and gracilis, A. alpina near var. flavi- 

 cans, Dicrannm f alcatum, D. Starkii, Conostomnm boreale, Polytrichum 

 sexangulare, Jungermannia alpestris var. Wenzellii, Anthelia julacea, 

 a slender form of Diplophyllum minutum and Gymnomitrium crassi- 

 folium, this being the third station for the latter plant. We shortly 

 after attained the summit and at the highest elevation in the British 

 Isles (4406 feet), we gathered Aira alpina, Andreaea petrophila var. 

 acuminata, Racomitrium fasciculare, R. sudeticum, Conostomum 

 boreale and Stereocaulon coralloides. We were favoured in having 

 one of the finest days that could be desired for an extensive view, 

 which was impressively grand and majestic as we gazed at other 

 distant bold outlines over the summits of very high mountains, thus 

 practically realizing the great height we had reached. By means of 

 compass and map we rapidly recognized the other mountains. To the 

 south-west were the prominent peaks of Mull, to the north of these 

 was the bold outline of Rum, while to the north-west stood out in 

 glorious relief the stately outlines of Skye and to the north of this we 

 could plainly see the Butt of Lewis. Turning a little we discerned 

 Ben Wyvis and many other tall hills, while beyond them the 

 northern coast of Scotland was well defined. We now made out the 

 Cairngorm group of hills, but had not time to individualize them ; then 

 we cast a longing look on Ben Lawers and the other Perthshire 

 mountains, from whence numerous hills between 3000 and 4000 feet 

 were studded in a westerly and south-westerly direction towards 

 Glencoe and mighty Ben Cruachan. So enchanted were we with the 

 view that we were loth to leave it, and we irresistably lingered for two 

 hours later than the time we had previously deemed it prudent, to 

 leave the summit. 



We now began the descent, and had the satisfaction of finding 

 Andreaea nivalis with abundant fruit, this moss here attaining a 

 luxuriance that is not equalled on the continent, the plants being five 

 inches in length in the finer patches. As we had to descend in the 

 same direction we had ascended, we did not gather many additional 

 species; and it was not long before we were benighted ; but a little 

 before this happened I had a stroll by the lake where I rapidly 

 gathered what I thought to be Isoetes but afterwards found out (on 

 cutting leaf sections) that it was not that species, and I set it down 

 as the entirely immersed form of Littorella lacustris. The approaching 

 darkness made us hurry down the rugged side towards Glen Nevis 

 which we had intended working before sunset. However, when we 

 reached the river Nevis we had to ford it in the dark, and a cooling 



