FLORA OF SCOTTISH LAKES 
223 
Loch Enoch is 1617 feet above sea-level, and is the most elevated 
of a series of unique alpine lochs situated in a singularly rugged 
mountain region. It occupies a very wind-exposed position, which 
probably accounts for the sand of its shores being finer than that of 
other lochs in the district. Its outline is very irregular, and there are 
several small islands, the largest of which has upon it a small pool ; 
hence the name Loch-in-loch, of which its better-known name. Loch 
Enoch, is said to be a contraction. There are several bays that have 
a shore of beautiful white sand produced from the disintegrated 
syenitic granite, of which these mountains are largely composed. 
The shores of Loch Enoch, with the exception of the sandy bays, 
are rocky, and the water is exceptionally clear and sparkling, although 
slightly peaty. The flora is very poor in species. On the west side 
Sparganium natans is abundant in bays, and there are several small 
associations of Carex rostrata in bays on the west and north sides. 
Isoetes lacustris. Lobelia Dortmanna, and Littorella lacustris carpet 
the bottom in places. Juncus fluitans is very abundant, whilst 
Myriophyllum alterniflorum is scarce ; Batrachospermum vagum, 
Zygogonium ericetorum, and Nardia compressa are abundant on the 
submerged rocks. Besides those mentioned, phanerogams are scarce, 
but the littoral rocks are clothed with a variety of Bryophytes. 
Loch Neldricken. — Proceeding a few hundreds of yards to the 
south-east of Loch Enoch, one comes to a narrow ridge of rugged 
rock connecting Dungeon Hill with Craignaw. From this spot, called 
the Nick of the Dungeon, an excellent bird's-eye view is obtained of 
Lochs Neldricken and Valley. These lochs are similar in general 
features to Loch Enoch — clear, brilliant, slightly peaty water, white 
sandy bays, otherwise rocky shores and with very irregular outlines. 
The vegetation is also similar and usually scanty. On the north- 
west side of Loch Neldricken there is a very regularly shaped " murder- 
hole formed in a somewhat circular bay or arm of the loch, the 
shallow margin of which affords a suitable situation for sedo-e-like 
plants. The bottom I presume sinks suddenly and regularly, like a 
basin, at some distance from the shore to a greater depth than these 
plants can accommodate themselves to ; consequently they end 
abruptly and present an even circular outline at the place where the 
water is too deep for further advance. The plants surrounding this 
" murder-hole are in three well-marked zones, as follows : — Adjoining 
the shore Carex rostrata, then a zone of Equisetum limosum, followed 
by a narrow zone of a plant which, from distant examination with a 
telescope, was apparently a large form of Carex rostrata, but as 
specimens could not be obtained it was impossible to exactly identify 
the species. In many places the sandy shores are covered with great 
patches of Nardia scalaris and Anthelia julacea, and the littoral 
