552 ON THE PHENOGAMIC VEGETATION OF 
Splendid specimens of Viola lutea occur abundantly in 
the grassy fields at Spittal of Glen Muic. The flowers 
are generally of a rich yellow ; but individuals occur in 
which the two upper (or properly lower) petals are tipped 
with purple, and others in which they are half purple, or 
entirely so ; the lateral petals then become purple also. In 
Glen Callader, and other parts in Braemar, the purple va- 
riety occurs on the heaths. In one or other state it is un- 
doubtedly the original of the Viola tricolor ; and I have 
traced the gradations through an extensive series of forms 
and colours, including all kinds of leaves from cordato- 
orbicular to linear-lanceolate ; calycine segments entire, un- 
dulated, and serrate ; petals from thrice the length of the 
calyx to half as long, &c. 
Melampyrum sylvaticum, to which I was directed by a 
friend, grows abundantly in a birch wood on the southern 
bank of the Dee, nearly opposite to Ballater. 
At the Pass of Tulloch we take leave of Highland scenery, 
and with it for a time of the more interesting features of 
vegetation, and enter upon an irregular, somewhat circular 
plain, which continues for upwards of nine miles, passing 
beyond Charlestown of Aboyne. It is bounded by rather 
low hills of desolate aspect, and is covered by stunted 
heath. Next to the Calluna and two EriccE^ Arbutus Uva- 
ursi and Myrica Gale are the most conspicuous and abun- 
dant species. Spartium Scoparium begins to appear, 
there being none of it above the pass of Tulloch. Ulex 
europaeus also occurs very sparsely. Rosa canina, R. 
spinosissima, R. villosa, R. tome7itosa, and one or two other 
species, are to be seen at the upper end of the valley. 
Here there is very little natural wood, and scarcely any 
along the river, till we arrive at Charlestown, where there is 
some. At this place there are also extensive plantations of 
