1904 - 5 .] 
Flora of Scottish Lakes. 
989 
This apparently denotes wave action at this depth sufficient to 
prevent a mud deposit. From the sheltered position of Urquhart 
Bay one might expect the disturbing power of the waves to be 
felt at a less depth than at Borlum. The dredging results give 
the difference between the two ba t fs of about 10 feet. I have, 
however, made no close investigation into this subject, but merely 
record an observation that occurred during botanical work.” 
Enough has been said to show that the photic zone in Loch 
Ness does not exceed a depth of 30 feet, and that from about 
15 feet to the photic limit the only dominant plant is Nitella 
■opaca, Ag ., and occasionally Fontinalis antipyretica, L. 
Perhaps the most favourable way of representing to the reader 
a sketch of the features presented by the flora of the littoral, and 
of such shallow water as may exist at Loch Ness, will be in the 
form of an imaginary tour round the loch. 
Starting from Borlum at the east corner of the south-west end, 
we proceed towards Fort- Augustus, thence along the north-west 
.shore to Lochend, returning to Borlum by the south-east shore. 
A general view of the loch from our starting-point is presented 
by fig. 4. The shore from here to the embouchure of the Tarff 
consists of gravel and sand, forming a large high beach (fig. 5). As 
already explained, no semi-aquatic plants can exist here. The 
aquatic flora extends from about 5 feet to 30 feet deep, as described 
on p. 988. On the crest and rear of this high beach is a con- 
siderable flora, tending, in accordance with the cecological con- 
ditions, from xerophilous plants in the more elevated parts (fig. 6) to 
hygrophilous vegetation at a lower level (fig. 7). Galium boreale 
grows in great luxuriance on this beach and presents a most 
pleasing feature when in flower. Potentilla anserina and Silene 
maritima are also abundant. Behind the beach is an extensive 
marsh containing the usual plants of such an environment common 
to the district (figs. 7, 8). The vegetation here is composed chiefly 
-of the following : — Alnus glutinosa, Spiraea Ulmaria, Deschampsia 
•caespitosa, Comarum palustre, Caltha palustris, Ranunculus 
Flammula, Myosotis palustris, Equisetum limosum, Heleocharis 
palustris, Carex rostrata, C. aquatilis, Stellaria uliginosa, Meny- 
•anthes trifoliata, Glyceria fluitans, and Potamogeton natans. At 
the estuary of the river Tarff is an island, a mere gravel bank 
