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The Scottish Naturalist. 



ment each leaf had added so much material to the plant, which, 

 aiding in maturing the roots and buds, enabled development to 

 go on, each successive season showing some advance. Sometimes 

 the result is very different ; when the needs of a plant exceed its 

 resources it struggles for a time, and then succumbs. 



Another point of interest relates to the struggles of the grass to 

 maintain itself under new and adverse conditions, and to the 

 effects on the plant. Inattention to such questions have often 

 led to differences of opinion regarding the relationships of plants, 

 and the characters that should constitute species, varieties, ab- 

 errations, and abnormalities respectively. 



The ordinary system of noting, with regard to the existence of 

 a plant in any district, only its scarcity or abundance is clearly 

 defective in real value. A rare plant may be so as (i) a relic of 

 a once abundant species, (2) a forerunner of an advancing species, 

 or (3) an accidental introduction by man, with no claims to 

 rank as a member of the local flora, unless it happens to become 

 thoroughly naturalized. In this latter case it may adapt itself as 

 a new form, or may modify its life-history as did the Reed Canary 

 Grass. Agriculture has done much to introduce new plants, as 

 well as to eliminate rare ones from local floras. 



As regards agricultural importance the plants deserving most 

 attention are those that can develop healthily anywhere, especi- 

 ally when studied in relation to their functions in the support of 

 animal life. In this aspect it must be admitted that the mere 

 finding of new or rare forms is of little importance. Regarded 

 strictly from it, the Reed Canary Grass is, it must be confessed, 

 of relatively small value, yet, indirectly, it may have aided by 

 indicating what plants can do to establish themselves under 

 changed, and, in some respects, unfavourable conditions of life. 



ON THE PLOEA OP SHETLAND. 

 By W. H. Beeby, A.L.S. 



AFTER visiting, during the three previous summers, various 

 parts of the Shetland group, I resolved last year to give my 

 attention chiefly to Roeness Hill and the many interesting 

 localities in its neighbourhood — a district that I have long looked 

 forward to examining. Circumstances making it necessary for me 



