PROCEEDINGS OP THE PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
171 
botany of the Glen Turret side of it is pretty well known, 
but as the Glenalmond side had not been sufficiently ex¬ 
plored, and as, moreover, this lies in a different botanical 
district, it was determined to ascend the hill from that 
side. 
Leaving Perth at 7.30 A.M., the party drove by way of 
the Small Glen to Auchnafree, after which the journey 
was continued on foot. Near Buchanty, specimens were 
obtained of a rather interesting plant, the Master-wort 
{Imperatoria or Peucedanum ostruthium), which is, how¬ 
ever, not indigenous, but the relic of former cultivation 
for culinary and medicinal purposes. Its name of ‘‘ Master- 
wort,” and also of “ Imperatoria,’’ was given to it on ac¬ 
count of its supposed great virtues, but as it is not culti¬ 
vated now, it is probable that these were more imaginary 
than real. 
A few miles beyond Auchnafree the ascent of the hill 
was commenced, and alpine plants soon made their ap¬ 
pearance. Amongst these were Saxifraga stellar is, S. 
oppositifolia, S. aizoides, S. hypnoides, Alchemitla alpina, 
Oxyria reniformis, and Asplenium viride. At about 2000 
ft. elevation, acres of the Cloud-berry or Averon (Rubus 
chamcemorus) in full flower were traversed, and in the 
neighbourhood of springs some other alpines were found, 
such as Epilobium alpinum, Caltha palustris var. minor, 
Thalictrum alpinum, kc. On this part of the hill some 
rare insects were not uncommon, the best of them being 
Scoparia alpina, Penthina staintoniana, and Sericoris irri- 
guana. At last the summit of the hill (3048 feet above 
sea-level) was gained, and the party assembled round the 
cairn, glad of a rest in the cooler mountain air after the 
great heat of the ascent. At the cairn a meeting of the 
Perthshire Mountain Club was held. This Club, for which 
only those members of the Society who have ascended a 
Perthshire mountain of at least 3000 feet altitude are 
eligible, was founded nine years ago, but since the death 
of Sir Thomas Monereiffe, who was Cairnmaster or Presi¬ 
dent, no meetings had been held. On the motion of the 
Scribe and Annalist (Dr Buchanan White), Colonel 
Drummond Hay was unanimously elected Cairnmaster, 
and having taken his seat on the cairn, a number of new 
members were presented for initiation with the accustomed 
ceremonies. Thereafter several vacancies in the list of 
office-bearers were filled up, Mr B. Brown, C.E., E.N., 
being appointed Geometer; and Mr Barclay, Quaighbearer. 
In the absence of the Bard (Mr John Young, C.E.), the 
following verses were read on behalf of the Deputy-Bard. 
It should be mentioned that the motto of the Club is 
“ Salix herbacea floreat,” Salix herbacea being the dwarf 
alpine willow, the smallest British shrub. 
SALIX HERBACEA FLOREAT! 
Once more at Flora’s high behest 
Our band has come from east and west, 
To scale the mountain’s rugged crest, 
Salix herbacea floreat! 
With rapture sparkles every eye: 
The Ben towers upwards to the sky: 
On yonder crags our pathways lje: 
Salix herbacea floreat! 
Dull are the blossoms here below, 
Up there they shine with brighter glow. 
Where blooms the Gentian of the snow, 
Salix herbacea floreat! 
The alpine Speedwell’s glorious blue, 
The Mossy Campion’s rose-red hue. 
Azalea, and Mountain Meadow-Rue, 
Salix herbacea floreat! 
Adown the dark cliff’s mossy side 
The sea-green Roseroot’s scattered wide, 
The Holly-ferns in crannies hide, 
Salix herbacea floreat! 
“ Upon the mountain ledges green ” 
The Saxifrage’s purple sheen 
In many a splendid patch is seen! 
Salix herbacea floreat! 
And thou, blest Linne’s own dear flower. 
Dwelling now in some woodland bower. 
Now where the alpine summits tower, 
Salix herbacea floreat! 
Up, brothers, up, scale ye the height! 
He who ascends is in the right! 
Below 'tis dark, above is light! 
Salix herbacea floreat! 
The Master issues his command, 
Leave far below the Lotos land! 
“ Around the Cairn take your stand ! ” 
Salix herbacea floreat! 
At last around the stones so gray 
From whence the Master holds his sway, 
The pilgrim band their footsteps stay, 
Salix herbacea floreat! 
“ Fill up the Quaigh with mountain dew! 
“ Hand to each brother old and new 
“ And bid him say in accents true, 
Salix herbacea floreat ” 
The Master calls upon his men 
To fill the Quaigh up once again, 
“ To all friends round Lawers’ mighty Ben 
Salix herbacea floreat 
“ Fill, Quaighman, fill up as before! 
“ We drink to those who are no more, 
“ Who climbed the hills with us of yore! ” 
Salix herbacea floreat 1 
