ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SOUTH OF SCOTLAND. 235 
two patches of plantation at the upper end have little effect any way, and are 
too formal. The slight sprinkling of natural wood on the slopes consist of Corylus 
avellana^ Cratcegus oxyacanthi^ Fraxinus excelsior^ Pyrus aucuparia^ Betula 
alba, Aimes glutinosa, Ulmus montana, Salix aurita, S, cinerea, and Prunus 
spinosa. There is very little lacustrine vegetation, the bottom being uniformly 
pebbly near the margin. The species noticed were: Potamogeton natans, 
P, crispus, P. gramineus. Ranunculus aquatilis, Arundo phragmites, Carex 
riparia, and Equisetum limosum. Neither the White nor the Yellow Water- 
lily (Nymphule) occur in this or the adjoining lake, the Loch of the Lowes, 
which is about a mile in length, and with its deep dark water, even outlines, and 
tame rounded hills, is little calculated to excite admiration. 
The strata in the hill at the north side of St. Mary's Loch run S.W. and N.E., 
dipping towards the east; on the south side of the opening of Megget-dale they 
have the same direction, but incline to the west at an angle of 60° or 70°, which 
they retain to the upper extremity of the lake.- 
Beyond the Loch of the Lowes we ascend a winding valley, among steep 
hills, whence 'come the sources of the Yarrow, in the immediate neighbourhood of 
those of Moffat Water, which runs southward in an opposite direction. 
The high ridge that bounds the narrow valley of the latter stream on its 
eastern side, furnishes the sources of the Ettrick, which, commencing in the hills 
about five miles from Moffat, runs a course of thirty miles before it joins the 
Tweed. At the upper part of this district the valley is similar in character to 
that of the Yarrow, but broader, and with its hills less verdant, and presenting 
longer slopes. The stream is also similar, flowing with considerable rapidity 
over a pebbly bottom, which is broader than that of the sister stream. The 
rocks consist of grey-wacke and slate, of various tints, grey, blue, reddish- 
brown, and greenish. Several quarries are wrought to a small extent for slabs, 
which are employed as hearth-stones, and for other purposes. I was informed 
that the stone answers very ill for roofing-slate, as it cannot be procured thin 
enough, and rapidly decomposes. 
Between Tushielaw and Selkirk the Ettrick is more tortuous than the Yarrow, 
although still very similar in character. Towards its lower part it presents 
steep diluvial banks in many places, and in a few the bed is rocky, with pre¬ 
cipitous walls. The rocks, soil, and vegetation continue the same. In several 
places are small woods and thickets of natural trees of the usual species, viz., 
the Hasel, the Hawthorn, the Ash, the Oak, the Alder, the Mountain Ash, the 
Grey Willow, and the Sloe. There is no want of planting in the lower part of 
the valley, which, though in general similar to that of the Yarrow, is broader, 
and bounded by less rounded hills, with more elongated slopes. The vegetation 
is similar, but in general less verdant. There is a remarkable paucity of Willows 
No. 11, Vol.IL 21 
