PROCEEDINGS OF THE PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
215 
it is computed that in Scotland there are 5,000,000 acres of 
land only fit for tree-planting. It is satisfactory to know 
that the Legislature of the country is being importuned by 
competent parties with a view to have some compulsory 
measure introduced as to tree-planting. Whether any satis¬ 
factory results may follow or not, it is to be hoped that 
landed proprietors will see the necessity of increasing their 
plantations, and that much of what is now only a barren 
waste will soon be clothed with valuable timber trees. 
SUMMER SESSION, 188 5. 
The following Excursions were made :— 
May 21st. 
1. To Glen Tilt. 
By the kind permission of the Duke of Athole, the lower 
part of Glen Tilt was explored. The natural history of 
this picturesque glen is fairly well known as regards 
6pecies which appear in the middle of summer (see various 
papers in The Scottish Naturalist), but the vernal animals 
and plants have been less perfectly investigated. A 
special object of the excursion was to ascertain if the 
Tooth wort (Luthrcea squamaria), which grows in a few 
Perthshire localities whose physical features are similar to 
those of Glen Tilt, occurred there. The expectation was 
realised, numerous specimens being found in one spot. As 
is usual in Perthshire, the tree on whose roots the Lathrcea 
was parasitic was the elm (Llmus montanaj. It is not 
improbable that the Lathrcea occurs in more localities in 
Perthshire than is supposed, since, unless it is looked for 
early in the spring, it is difficult to detect it. 
Amongst other plants observed were :—Chrysosplenium 
alternifolium, Primula variabilis (a hybrid between the 
Primrose and Cowslip, both of which occur), Asplenium 
vlride , and Encalypta streptocarpa, with abundant cap¬ 
sules. 
Altogether, about 119 species of flowering plants and 
ferns were noted. 
In the zoological department, mollusea were thee hief 
representatives, over a dozen species having been observed, 
including Helix arbustorum, varieties alpestris, and 
flavescens, and Limax (Lehmannia) arborum. 
J one 13th. 
2. To A rdoch. 
By the kind permission of Mr Drummond Moray, the 
proprietor, and Mr Bulloch, the tenant, of Ardoch House, 
the party was enabled to explore the policies of Ardoch 
House, the Roman Camps, and the banks of the Knaick. 
At the entrance lodge they were met by Mr Bulloch, 
to whose kind attention much of the success of the excur¬ 
sion was due. 
Proceeding at once to the most perfect of the Roman 
Camps (the one which lies close behind Ardoch House, 
and which in the Ordnance Survey Map is called 
LindumJ, the members spent some time in examining 
the old earthworks. The camp has been so often described 
that it is unnecessary to give an account of its structure. 
Here some interesting plants were noticed. Some parts of 
the ramparts were covered with the pretty yellow flowers 
of the petty whin (Genista anglica), while in many places 
the short turf was bright with beds of the wild pansy 
(Viola lutea), with flowers ranging from every shade of 
purple to yellow and white, purple-hued blossoms pre¬ 
dominating. Here and there little clusters of the curious 
moonwort fern (Botrychium lunaria) were seen. A little 
to the north of this camp is a small marsh, where, amidst 
the trailing stems of the cranberry (Oxycoccos palustris), 
with its lovely red flowers, and the white-topped tufts of 
a cotton grass (Eriophorum vaginatum), a rare sedge (Carex 
irrigua) was not uncommon. This was the best “find” 
of the da,y, as the plant has been found in Perthshire in 
three or four localities only. 
A pleasant walk up the picturesque banks of the Knaick 
followed, and a number of plants, molluscs, &c., were 
observed, but none that call for special notice. Return¬ 
ing to Ardoch House, a short time was passed in inspecting 
the gardens, the condition of which reflects the greatest 
credit on the gardener, Mr Dingwall, who, we must not 
forget to mention, acted throughout the day as a most 
efficient and obliging guide to the party. In the gardens 
