220 THE FRESH- WATER LOCHS OF SCOTLAND 
it spreads over the bottom to within 5 feet of the surface of the 
water, and at other parts of the loch to about 7 feet below the 
surface. From these depths it is spread over the whole loch bottom 
more or less. Even at a depth of 50 feet the dredge came up choked 
with this deposit, which was almost black, but not of a particularly 
evil odour. The deposit in the loch must be the accumulation of 
many years, through the process of decomposition being so slow in 
the peaty water. At Loch Stroan (p. 227) a large amount of such 
dead grass is washed upon the east shore by the winter floods. 
Loch Stroan is a small, shallow loch, and in flood-time there is a very 
considerable current passing through it from the river Dee, so that a 
portion of the grass must be carried down the river into Loch Ken, 
besides that which is deposited high upon its own shore. Yet, 
notwithstanding these losses, Loch Stroan has an abundant supply of 
this material on its bottom. In the neighbourhood of Loch Trool 
there is much less grass available, and the bottom flora of that 
loch extends to a depth of 16 feet (p. 225). 
The plants that flourish in Loch Doon are those common to 
highland peaty lochs. There was a curious submersed form of Peplis 
Portula growing to a depth of 3 feet, and Eurhynchium rusciforme 
at a depth of 3 to 5 feet, both flourishing at the south end of 
the loch. (For plants of Area IV. consult pp. 168-192.) 
On the south-west of Loch Doon there is a large and somewhat 
circular elevated, treeless moor, three or four miles in diameter, 
surrounded by mountains on every side, and presenting the aspect of 
some huge amphitheatre in utter ruin. Rugged rock and deep bog 
vie with one another for possession of the space. Here a gurgling 
burn divides the combatants. There a broad lane^ dashes over its 
rocky bed with foaming impetuosity ; whilst ever and anon a slow, 
deep, sinuous river winds its labyrinthine course through some level 
stretch of moss, scarcely more stable than the river itself. Numerous 
lochs, characterised by stretches of coarse white sand intercalated here 
and there on the otherwise rocky or peaty shores, are sprinkled over 
this lonely and wild moor. Here flourish in great abundance two 
interesting forms of plants that I have met with nowhere else in 
Scotland, namely, Ranunculus natans and Potamogeton pseudo- 
fluitans^ the former being a variety of R. Flammula and the latter a 
variety of P. polygonifolius. 
Loch Recar is one of the largest of the lochs on the above-men- 
tioned moor. It is about a mile across in either direction, and has a 
very irregular outline. The water is somewhat peaty, but, considering 
the moorland situation, remarkably clear and bright. The shores are 
rocky or peaty, but, on the east side particularly, large bays are filled 
^ A stream is often termed a lane in this part of Scotland. 
