FLORA OF SCOTTISH LAKES 
233 
fowl. That such birds are active agents in the distribution of aquatic 
plants is beyond doubt. They are also great destroyers of the less 
robust vegetation, especially in shallow water, and are frequently the 
cause of the sudden disappearance of an association of plants from 
some particular part of a shore. To cite an example : I have known 
Scirpus • setaceus quite obliterated from a sandy shore, whilst other 
plants new to that lake were introduced ; and such changes amongst 
the minor associations of plants are constantly occurring. 
Area V 
Having now passed by a circuitous and zigzag route over the 
majority of the lochs situated in north-west Kirkcudbrightshire, 
where the highland type predominates, let us examine south-east 
Kirkcudbrightshire, where many of the lochs are lowland in character. 
This district is almost wholly devoted to agricultural pursuits. 'J.'he 
land is frequently verv rich, and the farmers are prosperous and noted 
for their wealth. The undulating and often well-wooded country is 
frequently beautiful. There are no large towns, but the country is 
studded with numerous villages, and, for an agricultural district, it is 
well populated. There are comparatively few lochs, and we may 
begin their inspection at Loch Corsock, and passing over the Area 
by way of Lochs Erncrogo, Glentoo, Carlingwark, and Lochaber, 
finish our tour at a group of small lochs lying to the south of 
Dalbeattie. The original paper contains thirteen illustrations of the 
lochs, etc., of this Area. 
Loch Corsock is a somewhat triangular sheet of water situated in 
an upland district, whose moorland character has been modified by 
cultivation. It is six miles north of Crossmichael, at an elevation of 
540 feet above sea-level, and the water is somewhat peaty. The 
western shores are flat and muddy or peaty, and have an extensive 
vegetation, whilst the eastern shores are rocky and stony, with 
only a few plants. On the south-west side there is an extensive 
marsh, now partially drained. The west, north, and north-east 
sides are clothed with coniferous wood, and there is also a small 
plantation of the same kind on the south side. The loch is therefore 
wind-sheltered to a considerable extent, although open to the south- 
west. Alisma ranunculoides was abundant, and many specimens were 
flowering at a depth of 3 feet below the surface, as well as the normal 
terrestrial form about the margins of the loch. A considerable 
number of phanerogams grow here, but, save for a few abundant 
species, Bryophytes are scarce. 
Loch Roan is a somewhat triangular sheet of water two miles 
north of Crossmichael. The west, north, and east margins are 
