lxii PROCEEDINGS — PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
feature, some of them being very rare hybrid forms, such as the pretty 
Salix Stephania , a cross between Salix herbacea (floreat!) and S. 
lanata , one of the rarest of our mountain species. 
Recrossing the ridge, a rapid descent was made upon Luib, the 
rare Juncus alpinus being found on the way. 
At the foot of the hill we found that Highland hospitality was 
not yet a thing of the past, since Mr. M‘Niven, the tenant of Innis- 
chewan—or rather, in his absence across the river, Mrs. M‘Niven— 
pressed us to partake of a most welcome cup of tea. 
The sixth official excursion was to have been to Kenmore, and 
thence by the banks of the Tay to Aberfeldy, but, though several 
attempts were made to carry it out, Jupiter Pluvius was determined 
that these should be in vain. ' / 
The next excursion was also to the banks of the Tay. Starting 
from Dunkeld, we ascended the east bank as far as Dalguise Rail¬ 
way Bridge, and descended the west bank to Birnam. In Dunkeld 
grounds Mr. Fairgrieve, the gardener, acted as our guide, and 
pointed out many objects of horticultural and arboricultural interest. 
A little above Dunkeld a few plants of interest were observed, 
the most important being Rosa hibernica , which is very rare in Perth¬ 
shire, and of restricted distribution elsewhere. Other less important 
species were Equisetum prate?ise , Stellaria nemorum , Mentha viridis , 
&e. On the roadside near Guay Agrimonia odorata in some abund¬ 
ance was observed. It had been our intention to examine some 
islands in this part of the river, but the water was too high, and 
prevented access. 
On the Dalguise side of the river a few interesting plants were 
noticed, including Anthemis arvensis and Trifolium agrarium , the 
latter naturalised. Polygonatum verticillatum was seen in its old 
station, but in less quantity than it used to be. 
Near Inver we met a member of the Society, Mr. C. MTntosh, 
who gave us the interesting information that the king-fisher had 
recently nested in the district, and that by his exertions the birds 
had been protected. 
The last of the official excursions was to Machany Burn. Going 
to Muthill Station, we ascended the Machany to above Culdees, 
thence we visited Benniebeg Pond, the Pond of Drummond, and 
Balloch Loch, and finally reached Crieff. Except the Machany, the 
ground was not new to all of us. Beside the Machany we got Agri¬ 
monia odorata and Glyceria aquaiica , but not much else of interest. 
Benniebeg Pond is a narrow strip of water whose shores are very 
rich. The most conspicuous plants here are Lythrum Salicaria , 
which grows in very large masses, and which a few weeks earlier 
must have made a fine show from its large spikes of purple-red 
flowers; the very handsome Great Water Duck ( Rumex Hydrola- 
pathum ), which also abounds; Epilobium hirsutum; Typha latifolia; 
Eleocharis acicularis in great abundance; Nasturtium terrestre; and 
Polygonum mi?ius —a third Perthshire station for this plant. Near 
the pond we also got Poa palustris , about which I shall have more 
to say presently. 
At the Pond of Drummond not so much was found, as the sides 
