FLORA OF FORFARSHIRE. 
131 
Castle. Near the Druids' Thicket, Invergowrie, and other 
places, growing on banks and under hedges. 
On the Sands of Barrie, a var. with flowers at first pure 
white, gradually changing to blue, Messrs G. Lawson and D. 
Jackson. 
(It is singular that the delightful M. aipestris, so frequent 
on the micaceous mountains of Breadalbane, should not be 
found on those of a like character in Clova. On Ben-Lawers 
and Stuich-an-Lochan it is rather plentiful, but I have never 
seen a single specimen on the mountains of Forfarshire, nor 
those of Brae mar. It is a truly beauteous flower when seen 
blooming in its “ native Highland home,” and like all other 
things of beauty, has its pleasant teachings. To some minds 
this linking of beautiful objects with thoughts and feelings of 
an elevating tendency gives these objects an additional charm. 
For such only I venture to transcribe the following lines, 
addressed 
TO THE MOUNTAIN FORGET-ME-NOT. 
Myosotis aipestris. 
Sweet mountain-flower with eye of gold, 
And petals dipt in heaven’s own dye, 
What bloom more bright did e’er unfold 
Its charms beneath an orient sky ? 
And yet on Scotland’s mountains high, 
Thou hast thy home, and lov’st to dwell ; 
Born ’midst the snows, nursed with the cry 
Of angry storms that round thee swell ! 
O little flower, does He who made 
The mountain-crest thy dwelling-place, 
In every storm that bursts, not aid, 
And shield from harm thy every grace ? 
And when the sun, with shining face, 
Smiles o’er the world in radiant joy, 
’Tis His kind master- hand we trace 
In thy delightful symmetry. 
When wandering ’midst these alpine rocks, 
To seek the health-inspiring breeze, 
And list the bleat of browsing flocks, 
And merry hum of summer bees ; 
What blossom of the wild can please 
The eye, the soul, so much as thee ? 
The raptured eye thy beauty sees — 
The soul awakes to extacy! 
For thou a moral teacher art, 
Though humble, yet of wondrous power ; 
And well thy lessons can impart 
Their holy influence, lovely flower! 
