246 THE FRESH-WATER LOCHS OF SCOTLAND 
[Lochnaw partakes of much the same characteristics as Monreith 
Lake (p. 242), being also surrounded with wood. Carex pendula 
grows upon its shores. — J. M'A.] 
There are some pools situated upon the Sands of Luce. Thinking, 
from the nature of the surroundings, that they might afford some- 
thing of interest, I was disappointed to find they had dried up. In 
the original paper there is a short note on the vegetation of the 
Sands of Luce, which extend about six miles along the coast and 
reach a mile and half inland, the highest dunes being at some 
distance from the sea. The greater portion of the ground, however, 
is flat and moor-like, and, in contrast to the almost bare dunes, such 
parts have a complete plant-covering, the dominant plants being 
Ammophila arundinacea, Carex arenaria, Salix repens, Hylocomium 
triquetrum, Rhacomitrium canescens, and its variety ericoides, Calluna 
vulgaris, and Pteris aquilina. In some places there are grassy swards 
which are closely cropped by rabbits. 
Area VII 
In Fife and Kinross a few lochs of a semi-highland character may 
be found on the higher hills. The greater number of the lochs in 
this district, however, are distinctly of a lowland type, and many of 
them have a very rich flora, comparatively rare plants often occurring 
in great abundance. The central and western portion of Fife is re- 
nowned as a coal-producing district, and whilst thousands of the 
inhabitants enrich themselves by bringing mineral wealth from the 
bowels of the earth, others, nearly everywhere, are actively engaged 
in agricultural operations. The rich soil readily responds to the 
methods of modern farming, and even the less favourable spots are, 
under the stimulus of scientific treatment, made to grow valuable 
crops, instead of being relegated to the unproductive realms of sport. 
Besides this, numerous manufacturing industries are carried on upon 
a large scale in many places, and the great extent of sea-coast gives 
occupation to a considerable number of fisher-folk. This Area is 
therefore a densely populated one, and the greater number of its 
lochs have had their natural features considerably altered by the 
hand of man. Suitably situated lakes have been converted into 
reservoirs for providing the larger towns and villages with water. 
In some parts, especially in East Fife, the public water supply 
presents a serious problem that has not always been satisfactorily 
solved, owing to the comparatively small rainfall and the absence of j 
suitable water in the form of lochs or streams. As an example of 
this difficulty, it may be mentioned that the water supply for the 
Newport district is brought across Strath More, the Sidlaw Hills, 
and the Firth of Tay from Lintrathen in Forfarshire. In some 
i 
