270 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
Dortmanna), a plant which is always supposed to grow in 
at least several inches of water (sometimes several feet), 
only extruding its flowers above the surface, was found 
growing in ground which may have been recently sub¬ 
merged, but which must usually be only damp—a circum¬ 
stance the more remarkable as the plant was preparing to 
flower. Not one but many specimens were observed. 
Another plant, the Fir Clubmoss ( Lycopodium, selago), 
which with us is usually confined to the hills, was also 
noticed, and deserves mention on account of the low 
altitude of the locality. On a grassy bank the Moonwort 
Fern (Botrychium lunaria) was found, and in marshy 
ground the above-mentioned flesh-coloured orchid and the 
butterfly orchid were rather common. 
Passing the Port of Monteith, part of the north shore of 
the lake was examined, and gave evidence that it would 
well repay a careful search. One of the most notable 
plants seen here was the bistort (Polygonum bistorta), 
whose light pink flowers quite coloured the drier parts of a 
marshy meadow. Though admitted to be a native plant, 
in England and the southern half of Scotland, it is 
considered to be only an escape from cultivation north 
of Edinburgh, and as such it occurs here and there in 
Perthshire. But from the appearance of the plant and 
its surroundings we have no hesitation in accepting it as 
indigenous beside the Lake of Monteith. The purple 
loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria), and a rather local sedge, 
Carex teretiuscula, were the chief other finds on the small 
part of the northern shore that could be examined in the 
time. 
During the day upwards of 200 species of plants were 
observed. Of insects the occurrence of the rare Coccyx 
distinctana must be recorded. After a short rest at the 
comfortable Port of Monteith Hotel, the party returned 
to the station very well satisfied with the result of the day’s 
excursion, and determined to return on a future occasion 
to complete the exploration of the lake and its historically- 
interesting islands. 
June 26th. 
3. To Banks of Earn and Tay, 
Starting from Bridge of Earn, the north bank of the 
river was followed nearly to its junction with the Tay. 
Thence the party crossed the fields to near Inchyra Ferry, 
and went up the Tay as far Elcho. Then going inland 
some of the rocky knolls near Elcho were examined, after 
which the road to Perth was taken. 
During the day upwards of 250 species of plants were 
noted, amongst which the following may be specially 
mentioned :—The Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus), 
a pretty pink-flowered plant, 2 to 3 feet high, which 
grows in soft mud. Though many botanists will not 
acknowledge this to be a native in Scotland, theie seems 
to be but little doubt about its being thoroughly wild on the 
banks of the Tay. As strengthening this supposition, one 
of the larger sedges (Carex acuta) was found near the 
same place on Saturday. This plant has not been recorded 
north of Roxburgh on the east side of Scotland. Another 
interesting plant—the name of which is yet uncertain—was 
also found on the banks of the Tay, and will get, as it de¬ 
serves, further attention. 
Less rare than the above, but still of uncommon occur¬ 
rence, are Carex aquatilis, Lythrum Salicaria, Myosotis 
strigulosa. Trifolium striatum, Epipaclis latifolia, Veronica 
montana, Geranium columbinum, Typha latifolia, &c., &c. 
For the pleasure of seeing some of these the party were 
indebted to the veteran botanist, Colonel Drummond Hay 
of Seggieden, who met his fellow-members about the 
middle of the day. 
The alteration that has taken place in the botany of 
Moncreiffe Pond during the last few years deserves notice. 
Formerly several very local Perthshire plants occurred 
there, such as Ranunculus circinatus and Lemna trisulca, 
but these have disappeared, having apparently been killed 
out by that pestiferous plant, the American water-weed 
(Elodea Canadensis). 
July 3rd. 
4. To Tentsmuir. 
On this occasion the Society visited the wide range of 
moors and sandhills that lie on the southern side of the 
mouth of the Tay, and which is known as Tentsmuir. 
The excursion was in conjunction with the Natural 
History Societies of Dundee, Largo, and Kirkcaldy. 
Tentsmuir is a tract of mossy moor ; but in some places 
highly peaty ground several square miles in extent occur. 
The moor on the whole is fairly level, though, towards the 
estuary, lines of sandhills break the monotony of the level. 
Parts are or have been under cultivation, but the greater 
