CXXvi PROCEEDINGS—PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
the average n. A separate leader was appointed for each excursion, 
which largely contributed towards their success, as the leader had in 
each case previously explored the ground for himself (or herself, for 
one, I am glad to say, was a lady), and was thus able to conduct the 
party to the most interesting and productive spots. If the programme 
had a fault, it was its length. In summer, members have so many other 
engagements, and are so frequently from home, that it is difficult to 
get a fair number together for thirteen consecutive Saturdays. 
Although, during the past summer, the interest was well maintained 
until the end, yet it might be well in another season to have them at 
less frequent intervals. 
I shall now give a very brief summary of the work done at these 
excursions, utilising the notes supplied by the various leaders in 
cases where I was not present myself. 
No. i, May 21 (Queen’s Birthday).—To Invermay. Leader, 
Mr. Barclay; present, 18. The party divided into two sections, 
namely—the botanists, who ascended the Glen in search of plants, 
and the geologists, who examined the very marked ancient river 
terraces and gravel beds that skirt the edge of the haughland to the 
south of Forteviot. In these a number of stones were found bearing 
more or less evident traces of palaeolithic workmanship. Regarding 
the finds of the botanists, Mr. Barclay reports as follows :—“ By the 
roadside between Forteviot and Invermay were seen Anthemis 
arvensis and Astragalus hypo glottis, the latter being fairly plentiful. 
By the side of the stream a good many interesting plants were 
gathered, among which may be mentioned Cardamine amara , 
Stellaria memorum , and Adoxa moschatellina . Owing to the genial 
spring of this year, vegetation was found to be far in advance of what 
it commonly is at this season, and hence many plants were in flower 
several weeks earlier than usual. The most interesting find of the 
day was undoubtedly the toothwort, Lathrcza squamaria , which was 
found (in fruit) parasitic on the roots of the elm, the yew, and the 
plane. This curious plant lives underground, forming a network of 
stems which are densely covered with thick white overlapping scales, 
all that it has for leaves. It sends out suckers, which fasten on the 
roots of the tree under which it grows, and it is thus enabled to live 
and thrive on the sap which it draws from its host. It is also said 
to draw nourishment from the juices of microscopic animals which 
enter the cavities of the leaves and are unable to return, so that it is 
both parasitic and carnivorous. Though by no means uncommon, it 
is not often seen, owing to its subterranean habit and its early flower¬ 
ing. Returning by a different path, we came across numerous speci¬ 
mens of that strange-looking plant the bird’s-nest orchid, Neottia nidus- 
avis. This plant is a saprophyte, feeding upon decayed vegetable 
matter, and therefore its yellow flowering spikes are usually seen 
rising from masses of rotten leaves. Other plants noticed during the 
day were Rubus saxatilis , Geum intermedium , Chrysoplenium alterni- 
folium , and Stachys Betonica , the latter not in flower.” 
No. 2, June 6.—To the Den of Pitroddie. Leader, Mr. Dow, 
Longforgan; present, 12. This was one of the half-day excursions 
