152 



The Scottish Naturalist. 



Next day the most of the party left, but a few of the more 

 enthusiastic botanists remained till Monday, and were well re- 

 warded for their pains. The weather was magnificent, and 

 botanizing a pleasure. The slopes around Glenshee Hotel and 

 Glenlochay were thoroughly examined, and a large number of 

 sub-alpine flowering plants and mosses obtained. Amongst the 

 former were Meum athamanticum, Habenaria albida, Tofieldia 

 palustris, Scirpus setaceus, Rosa tomentosa, and a woolly variety of 

 Senecio ; and amongst the latter Blindia acuta, Barbula tortuosa, 

 Philonotis fontana, Hypnum giganteum. 



From every point of view the meetings and excursions have 

 proved interesting, valuable and satisfactory, and much credit is 

 due to Mr. Sang and the Council of the Union and the Alford 

 Society for the manner in which they have been organized and 

 carried through. Too much acknowledgment cannot be made of 

 the kindness and untiring attentions of Mr. and Mrs. Farquharson of 

 Haughton, and the members of the Alford Field Club and Scientific- 

 Society, to make the Union meetings a complete success. 



These meetings are bound to become more popular, and it is to 

 be hoped that even a larger contingent may turn out to Montrose 

 next year. By means of such meetings, those members who are 

 not deeply attached to scientific research learn to appreciate the 

 work of those who are, and gain, at least, some acquaintance with 

 the work of botanical, geological and archaeological research, and 

 spend a pleasant and profitable holiday; whilst to those who are 

 attached to any form of scientific pursuit, these meetings and 

 excursions form an incitement to further effort, a means of personal 

 communication with fellow-workers, and an opportunity of being 

 brought into direct contact with many of the most wonderful pro- 

 ducts of nature. Long may the East of Scotland Naturalists' 

 Union flourish, may its power increase, and its good work prosper! 



HE popular notions of sand concern chiefly its use as a 



X figure of speech to express multitude or weight, or as a 

 means of measuring time by the hour or sand-glass ; while its 

 physical properties are associated with the breezy links or dunes 

 and the smooth beaches of our sea coasts, or its place as an 



SAND. 



By John Forrester, Kirkcaldy. 



