INTRODUCTION. 
XI 
besides the usual maritime vegetation, many rarities, as 
Equisetum variegatum, E ryngium maritimum , Vicia lathy - 
roides, Gentiana Amarella, Weissia nigrita, Bryum trich- 
odes, Hypnum abietinum and lycopodioides, & c. ; and the 
entomologist, will be gratified with such treasures as Cara- 
bus nitens, Phyllopertha Frischii , Argynnis Aglaia, &c. 
From Arbroath to Montrose the undulating outline of the 
coast presents a series of pictures of the wildest grandeur. 
The sandstone rocks, so easily abraided by the continued 
action of the waves, are moulded into the most fantastic 
forms, and perforated in all directions, some of the perfora- 
tions being indeed spacious caverns. The rocks and inter- 
vening bays are rich in maritime plants; and from the 
ocean-depths there are often cast upon the beach many 
beautiful sea-weeds, corallines, and other marine productions. 
At the small fishing-village of Auchmithie, three miles east 
from Arbroath, there are rocks where, at low water, various 
algae and zoophytes may be picked in the living state, as 
Himantholia lorea , Gigartina plicata , Chylocladia kalifor- 
mis, Ptilota plumosa [3., Chondrus mammillosus, Sertularia 
operculata, Corallina officinalis , and many others. 
Beyond Montrose another tract of sandy ground occurs, 
called the links, which extends to the mouth of the North 
Esk, and produces Silene conica, Botrychium Lunaria, and 
other good plants. 
From the coast to the Sidlaw Hills the ground is undu- 
lating, mostly cultivated, and beautifully diversified with 
wood and water, being traversed by the Dighty, Feithy, Bro- 
thock, and various smaller streams. 
The Sidlaw Hills, form the southern boundary of Strath- 
more, or the “ Great Valley, ” and their two highest summits, 
are Craig Owl and the White Hill of Auchterhouse, the for- 
mer 1700 feet, and the latter 1400 feet, above the sea-level. 
Near the pass or “ glack ” of Newtyle, a few miles west from 
the White Hill, there is a lower hill, named Kinpurny, on 
which a square tower was erected for an observatory ; but 
never being applied to the purpose intended, has been de- 
