Remarhs on the Flora Scotka fy'Dr Hooker. 155 
soils. There are, however, striking exceptions. Situation is of 
greater importance ; and with due attention to it, the Fiora of 
Scotland might have been exhibited in a very interesting form. 
In as far as the plan of the Flora Scotica admits, the notices re- 
lative to those are correct and interesting. 
The time of flowering is another subject of importance ; and 
where no general observations have been made upon it as influ- 
enced by situation, difference in latitude, prevailing winds or 
rains, or other circumstances, great precision cannot be ex- 
pected. There is in our country a very great difference in 
different districts. The Dr aha tierna^ for instance, flowers at 
Edinburgh sometimes in January, at Aberdeen about the middle 
of February, in the Herries not till the middle of April. The 
Ranunculus Ficaria flowers on the east coast of the middle divi- 
sion of Scotland about the 10th of February, on the west coast 
of the northern division about the beginning of April, in the more 
northern of the Outer Hebrides about the beginning of May. 
It might be better also to note the time of a plant's first flower- 
ing, when it is in general bloom, and when it is generally fading. 
Remarks on the economical and medicinal uses made of plants 
by the natives, we regret are not so numerous as could have 
been wished ; but as it is a favourite subject with us, we would 
presume to give the following as a specimen of the mode in which 
these uses might be detailed. 
Arundo arenaria. This plant, which is generally known in Scotland by the 
name of Bcnt^ in Gaelic Muran^ is common on the coast wherever there is loose 
sand, which it serves to consolidate by its long tough roots. At Aberdeen it is 
manufactured into door-mats, called Basses. It also makes excellent floor-brushes. 
In the Outer Hebrides, where it is plentiful, it serves many purposes in rural and 
domestic economy, being made into ropes for various uses, mats for pack-saddles, 
bags, mats, and vessels for preparing and keeping grain and meal ; and, lastly, 
into hats. When made into meal vessels, it is bound together by its OAvn slender 
and tough roots ; but this should be prevented, as the digging for them loosens 
the sand. In Holland it is planted for the purpose of binding the sand, and this 
practice has been introduced among us by Mr Macleod of the Herries, who has 
tried it extensively upon his estate. 
Ra'Nunculus Flamraula. A very powerful epispastic, and known as such to the 
Hebridians, among whom it is in common use, under the name of Lus-mor. 
Applied in the form of cataplasm, the stalks and leaves being chopped small, and 
rubbed between two hot stones, it produces a blister in about an hour and a half. 
But its operation is rather violent, and oji this account Cantharides are preferable, 
