The Scottish Naturalist. 



151 



Christie, who pointed out the various parts of the castle, and gave 

 an interesting account of its history. Most of the strangers were 

 struck by the enormous extent and size of the building where 

 Bruce's Queen was betrayed into the hands of Edward I. 



After luncheon at Kildrummy Inn, the afternoon was spent in 

 driving to Alford, and in a local ramble. Amongst the geological 

 objects of the district were Glen Bucket stone (granite and tour- 

 maline), syenite, serpentine and soapstone. The rarer plants ob- 

 tained were Linncea borealis^Goodyera rejyens, and Spiraea salicifolia. 



The second day's excursion was even more interesting than the 

 first ; and those who were privileged to attend it thoroughly 

 enjoyed themselves. The excursion consisted in a drive of 27 

 miles from Alford to Dinnet — a station on the Deeside railway. 

 The features of the day's proceedings were a visit to the Moss of 

 Monandavan, from which diatomite — a substance largely used in 

 the manufacture of dynamite — is obtained. Covering many acres, 

 this substance, on the removal of the peat, is found to the depth 

 of eight or nine feet, and consists entirely of the remains of 

 diatoms. The company now walked to Lochs Davan and Kinnord, 

 between which, on a gentle slope, lie the remains of the pre- 

 historic city of Davan, which are in a good state of preservation. 

 The various buildings scattered over nearly a square mile were 

 partially examined, and were explained by Mr. Hogg of Alford. 

 The crannog on Loch Kinnord, the Castle Island, and the old 

 canoes, 40 feet long, were next examined. 



The company then walked to Dinnet, and taking train there 

 arrived at Ballater at eight o'clock. 



Next day the company divided. Lessened in numbers by the 

 return of the Alford members, and many of the members from 

 other districts, those now present represented Kirkcaldy, Perth, 

 Aberdeen and Largo societies. Part went round to Glenshee by 

 way of Braemar, by coach and conveyance, while part walked 

 from Ballater to Glenshee, by way of Glen Muick, Dubh Loch, 

 Cairn Bannoch, the Head of Glen Callater, Cairn Dubh, Glen 

 Clunie and Glen Beag. Many rare specimens were obtained, 

 amongst them being Gnaphalium norvegicum, G. supinum, Azalea 

 procumbens in splendid fruit, Carex rariflora, Rubus Chamatmorus 

 and Saxifraga stellaris. This portion of the company arrived at 

 Glenshee between one and two in the morning, having covered 

 between 35 and 40 miles in 15 hours. 



