EXCURSION TO CRAIGHALL. 
193 
to ‘ the Spout of Bruncie,’ many specimens were observed. Besides various ferns, 
mosses, and lichens, with numerous plants out of flower, thirty specimens in bloom 
were gathered. Twice was the presence of that fetid fungus, Phallus impudicus , de¬ 
tected by its smell, and a specimen found. On reaching the 4 Foghouse,’ cake and 
wine were served. Nothing could have been more enjoyable than the conversation of 
the party. Science, literature, and refinement were manifest at every step of the way, 
with that courteous bearing which distinguishes high hearts and noble minds. No 
heart could have failed in being bettered or mind enriched by that 4 feast of reason and 
flow of soul.’ Wit and humour were not wanting, and 4 laughter holding both her 
sides ’ was not absent. The waterfall was the turning-point of the wandering up the 
Den. A very heavy shower overtook the party on the return. Numbers betook them¬ 
selves to the 4 Foghouse ’ and the trees for shelter. The shower, instead of damping the 
hilarity, appeared to act in a piquant way to increase the interest of the day’s proceed¬ 
ings. When the sun broke through, a beautiful rainbow was descried far below the 
rocks where they stood, spanning the stream and the feathery mountain ashes and silver 
beeches,—a ‘thing of beauty ’ which these studious men watched with child-like plea¬ 
sure till it vanished away like a dream. The wild and peculiar music of the bagpipes, 
heard amongst the rocks, ravines, and woods, with which it peculiarly harmonizes, gave 
quite an enchanting effect to the scene, and was highly relished by the English present. 
A large boulder, with strongly-marked evidences of glacial action, was met with, and 
instantly a group assembled around it for geological discussion. As several of the party 
were wondering about an imperfect plant, which some one thought to be a kind of 
Aaron’s rod, another an ill-developed sort of ragwort, and another to be one of the larger 
St. John’s-worts,— just as one of them was holding up the leaves to see if they 
were perforated. Professor Bentley, stepping past, pronounced it Solidago Virgaurea. 
A curious monstrosity of the Digitalis purpurea was found, having three distinct 
shoots halfway up the stem, projecting at right angles, and having ten purple bells 
each. Mr. Deane, in a manner worthy of the Linnean Society, of which he is a 
Fellow, explained that this phenomenon had been caused through the upper portiou of 
the stem having been broken off, and thus the force and flowering process had been di¬ 
verted. Mr. Deane found some male and female specimens of the fern Blechnum 
boreale. One by one of the party, as they came upon him, examining them in his hand, 
heartily congratulated him on finding the Blechnum , in a language which seemed to 
indicate that he had found a dear old friend of their own. A busy man of the world 
would have smiled to have seen such enthusiasm among such wise men about a fern, 
but little does the general world know of the happiness of ‘the man whose pleasures are 
in wild fields gathered.’ One botanical group were engaged conversing on the disputed 
subjects of fairy rings, the bluebell of Scotland, distribution of plants, etc. And thus, 
as every object called forth remarks, the party must have found 4 tongues in trees, books 
in the running brook, sermons in stones, and good in everything.’ On returning to the 
park immediately east of the mansion house, the greater portion of the party were dis¬ 
posed in a group, with a view to being photographed by Mr. Abbott, photographic 
artist, when a very fine picture was taken. The whole then proceeded to the granary 
at the Hatton, when about eighty sat down to a sumptuous dinner, supplied by Miss 
M‘Gregor, of the Temperance Hotel, Blairgowrie. Mr. David Russell, the Chairman of 
the Local Committee, presided. After the usual loyal toasts, the 4 Health of Professor 
Bentley, President of the British Pharmaceutical Conference,’ was proposed. Professor 
Bentley replied in appropriate terms. After thanking the Dundee friends for their 
kindness and hospitality, he gave the 4 Healths.of the Local Committee, coupled with the 
names of Mr. Russell, the Chairman, Mr. Levie, the Treasurer, and Mr. Hodge, the 
Secretary.’ The company sang the ‘Queen’s Anthem,’ and 4 The Bonnets o’Bonnie 
Dundee.’ It was remarked that the English not only appeared familiar with the song, 
but joined in the chorus with hearty enthusiasm. After an hour’s wandering in the 
policies, they got into their conveyances, and drove off for Blairgowrie. Here numbers 
of the members of the British Association for the Advancement of Science broke off 
from the party and took the train for Dundee, in order to be in time, some for Professor 
Tyndall’s lecture, and others for the grand Conversazione in the Drill Hall. On reach¬ 
ing Coupar Angus the party sat down to tea in the Royal Hotel. The drive home was 
very pleasant, all appearing to enjoy themselves thoroughly, and great credit is due to 
Captain Rattray and the family at Craighall for their kindness in allowing the party 
YOL. IX. O 
