PROCEEDINGS-PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. XCV 
where there is a great heap of ballast, we found a number of curious 
and interesting plants, most of which have been naturalised there. 
On the way thither we gathered Vida telrasperma and Nasturtium 
sylvestre. At and near the ballast heaps Pastinaca sativa was seen 
in great abundance, and in full flower; then Inula dysenterica (in 
small quantity), Diplotaxis tenuifolia and D. muralis , Sisymbrium 
Sophia , Saponaria officinalis , Cerastium arvense , and Potentilla reptajis. 
One plant of Rumex maritimus , which had not before been seen 
here, was detected by Mr. Couper. The extraordinary luxuriance of 
Polygonum lapathifolium was noticeable. Some of the plants were four 
feet high, and thick in proportion. From Clackmannan Pow we went 
to another ballast-heap at Kennetpans, about three miles farther 
down the river. Part of the best ground on this heap had, unfor¬ 
tunately, been recently covered by fresh ballast, and some of the 
interesting plants destroyed. We, however, found Mercurialis annua, 
Geranium pusillum , Beta maritima , Viola cornuta , A fair a rotundi- 
folia , Lepidium ruderale , Senebiera Coronopus , Ballota nigra , and vari¬ 
ous other interesting plants. 
Proceeding down the river Carex riparia was noticed in* a ditch, 
and in a wood near Tullieallan Corydalis claviculata. Passing through 
the quaint old town of Kincardine-on-Forth, we reached Longannet 
Point, where Sagina maritima , Thalictrum minus , and Polygonum 
Roberti were added to the day’s list, after which we returned to 
Alloa. 
In connection with this ballast-heap flora, I may mention that in 
the course of the summer we found in one of the old yards at Perth 
Harbour, where ballast had been deposited many years ago, an extra¬ 
ordinary collection of introduced plants. I need not enumerate 
these, since Mr. Barclay has done so in his paper on the West Side 
of the Tay below Perth, but I wish to call the attention of members 
to the importance of examining every bit of ground, however un¬ 
promising it may look. The yard in question had been passed time 
after time, and had we not gone into it merely to look at a compara¬ 
tively common plant, which was visible through the fence, we would 
still have remained in ignorance of the curious aggregation of waifs 
and strays which occur there. 
An account of one more excursion may wind up this record. 
Taking train to Forteviot, we made our way to Dupplin Loch. 
Here the most noteworthy plants were two species of Utricularia , 
U. minor and another, which may be a small form of U. vulgaris. 
We also found Carex teretiuscula , Eleocharis acicularis , Potarnogeton 
heterophyllus , and Peplis Portula. From Dupplin Loch we struck 
across country to Methven Moss, getting on the way Salix ambigua , 
Radiola linoides , Eriophorum latifolium , Orchis incarnata, &c. On 
the Moss itself the chief species of interest was Rhynchospora alba , 
whose exceeding abundance gave quite a local colouring to the 
place. 
Near Methven Station a single plant (an introduction, of course) 
of the pretty and interesting Lathyrus Aphaca was detected. Con¬ 
volvulus arvensis was also found. 
