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5 DEC 21

NATURAL
HISTORY.

(Jas. W. Reoch.

FRONTISPIECE.
THE LAST OF THE POLLOK WYCH ELMS.

From Photo. by)

OF THE

Andersonian Waturalists’

Society,

VOL.) URL:

GLASGOW:

PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY.

1908.

II.

III.

VIII.

CON TENTS:

NOTES ON THE TRAP-FLORA OF RENFREWSHIRE. By G. F.
Scott Ex.uioT, M.A., B.Sc., F.L.S., F.R.G.S., - -

THE CoursE TAKEN BY Foop MATERIAL FROM LEAVES
TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STEM. By ISABEL J.

HUNTER, - - - - - - - - -

RECORDS OF EXCURSIONS IN DUMBARTONSHIRE. By JOHN
R. LEE, - : - . - : - - - -

Torrs WARREN. By JOHN SMITH,
CLYDESDALE Funci. By R. B. JOHNSTONE,
THE BIRDS OF ROUKEN GLEN PARK. By JOHN ROBERTSON,

RECORDS OF EXCURSIONS TO THE ISLANDS OF BUTE AND

GREAT CUMBRAE. By JOHN ROBERTSON, - - -

THE FLORA OF THE ARROCHAR Mountains. By JOHN
R. Leg, - - - - - = - - - -

THE LAST OF THE PoLLOK WycnH Etms. By JouHn Boyp,
RECORDS OF EXCURSIONS IN ARGYLLSHIRE. By ALEXANDER
Ross, - - - - - - - - - -

INDEX, - - - - - : < - : : ‘
ERRATUM, - - - E - 2 P E 4

OFFICE-BEARERS—I907, - - > 7 : =

PAGE

II

71

80

127

136
151
153

154

ILLUSTRATIONS.

FACING
PAGE
FRONTISPIECE.—THE LAST OF THE POLLOK WycH Ems. By
Jas. W. REOCH, : - - . - - - - - Title
PLATE I.—CroIs, FROM ARROCHAR

By Gro. HERRIOT. \ 80
GLEN LOIN, LOOKING SouTH. By Gro. HERRIOT
II.—BrEN VORLICH AND LocH SLoy, FROM CRUACH
TAIRBEIRT, S.E. By R. M‘LEAN

”

6
ALLT-COIREGROGAIN AND BEN IME. By GkEo. 7
HERRIOT. *

», III.—BEN ARTHUR AND BEN NARNAIN, FROM S.E

.E. By
Gro. HERRIOT. en
SUMMIT OF BEN NARNAIN, FROM N.E. By GkEo.
HERRIOT.
aie JE0M |
| 5 DEC 21

\ NATURAL
His Ss] rORY

NOTES «ON CHE
TRAP-FLORA OF RENFREWSHIRE.

By) GB.) Scorr) Ernror,. M.A., B-Se.,) FES: F.R:GS.
(Read 4th September, 1903.)

THE district which is referred to in these notes is that part of
Renfrewshire and Ayrshire which lies in the triangle between the
two G. & S.-W. Railway lines to Greenock and to Dalry respec-
tively, and of which the base is a line up Noddsdale Glen.

The rocks are composed mainly of porphyrite, melaphyre, etc.,
and are interbedded (according to the geological survey) in the
shales, cement-stones, and grey sandstones of the Upper Old Red
Sandstone.

They are the result of a series of gigantic lava flows, originating
somewhere in the north-west, and probably from an ancient
volcano, now submerged, somewhere between Helensburgh and
the Cloch lighthouse. They are most frequently exposed in a
series of cliffs or escarpments, which run usually from east by
north to west by south, but many are nearly due north and south.
Intrusive felstones and porphyrites occur, and sometimes tuff
replaces the porphyrite and melaphyre.

Towards the east there are necks and dykes of Miocene basalt,
but there are none in this district.

Thus there were two periods of volcanic activity—one in the
Upper Devonian and the other in Miocene times.

These outbreaks are separated by an interval of time much
greater than that which has elapsed between the last and our own
days.

The district has been much altered by ice action. It seems to
have been the converging point of the northern or Highland and
southern or Galloway ice.

I think that many of the valleys, such as the parallel series of
escarpments along the Lochar, as well as that from Carruth to
Bridge-of-Weir along the Gryffe, and others, have been largely
scooped or dug out by the ice-plough.

A

2 TRAP-FLORA OF RENFREWSHIRE.

At any rate, the lines of cliffs or escarpments follow pretty
closely the arrows on the geological map, which show the direction
of the glaciation. There is one series showing that part of the
ice travelled in the direction from Kilmacolm to Lochwinnoch,
and another approximately from east to west, which corresponds
with the escarpments of Braes and of the cliffs on the south of the
Gryffe valley above Carruth.

The rivers and streams have acted on this roughly outlined and
rocky country, producing an extraordinary surface of rough, rocky
bosses, outliers or islands of rock, with sloping, grass-grown
surfaces above and below; sometimes they look like waves of
ground breaking in steep, rocky faces. Except in a few valleys
there is no flat ground whatever.

Botanically, the country is very rich. Members of the Society
would find many exquisite places for excursions which do not
seem to be generally known. The Maisch, Garnock, Calder,
Millburn, Bridesburn, Blacketty, Green-water, and Gryffe are good
botanical ground, but it is especially in those problems that arise
from the presence together of rock, marsh, and natural woodland
that it is interesting ; and it is with one of these problems that
this paper is concerned.

One sees these escarpments or cliffs of rock in every stage of
development. Sometimes they are bare and scarcely touched by
vegetation. Others are broken into small projecting boulders.
Others, again, are covered by rough vegetation. Sometimes,
though rarely, they have the same piants as the fields around
them, and then they are only recognised by their slope which is
steeper than that of the rest of the field.

By studying the various exposures in different localities, it is
comparatively easy to see what has happened. ‘The rock faces
become gradually covered over by vegetation until, eventually,
they are mere slopes barely distinguishable in a field by a
steepness and shape which show their origin. The stages of
covering may be roughly classified as follows :—

1. The lichen crust.—Bare rocks covered by a nearly
continuous film of crustaceous lichens with flowering
plants only in the cracks or crannies of the rocks.

2. The moss-moor and rangiferina moors.—More or less
combined with cranny plants.

TRAP-FLORA OF RENFREWSHIRE. 3

3. Vaccinium (blaeberry) and wiry grasses.—From this
stage there is a difference in the flora above the zone of
cultivation, for peat formation sets in. In the low-lying
lands, or zone of cultivation, this is followed by

4. A herbaceous stage.

5. Whin or broom and bracken.

6. Rosaceous stage.

1. Lichen stage—(a) Crust lichens.—The commonest forms are
Lecidea geographica, L. contigua, L. lavata, L. lapicida, L. rivulosa,
L. fumosa, Lecanora tartarea, and Vartolaria dealbata.

The last two appear, in my specimens, to grow over stone that
has been already occupied.

These crust lichens are, for some reason, not well-developed.
Where they do appear, however, they absorb most of the rain
water, which is thus prevented from entering or corroding the
rock; they also affect atmospheric weathering in other ways.
Dust accumulates on them; the last two lichens form a quite
perceptible crust, covering the stone, and of quite an appreciable
thickness. The growth is slow. Variolaria grew five hundred
and twenty micro-millimetres from the 1st February to the end of
September.

(6) Leafy lichens.—Parmelia physodes, P. saxatilis, P. sulcata,
and Cladonia cervicornis are the most important. Though these
are found on natural rocks, they are not common. It is on walls
or dykes formed of these rocks that they are especially abundant.
On such dykes Physcia parietina, P. tenella, and others occur,
and possibly a close search would show them on the rocks
also.

These Parmelias, and especially P. su/cata, are extremely
tenacious of their ground. Their growth is about five millimetres
perannum. When once established, they spread circularly, and on
lifting off the patch, one finds clear evidence that they not merely
overgrow their neighbours, but also overgrow ‘their own remains.
Layers of dead pieces of former fronds are found deZow those that
are active, and the younger rhizoids clearly fix themselves on the
older branches. Thus the rock is protected not merely by the
thickness of one frond, but also by a series of dead pieces. They
also act as water-retaining and dust-collecting agents ; they also
intercept heat, light, etc., and afford shelter to small animals.

4 TRAP-FLORA OF RENFREWSHIRE.

The two Cladonias (cervicornis and pyxidata var. neglecta) form
compact little tufts. On investigating these tufts, one finds a
bewildering mass of remnants—remains of the older part of the
Cladonias, mosses which have begun to grow between them, and
fragments of liverworts, etc.

The net effect of their preliminary attack upon the rock is to
form a rough surface covered by a more or less thick, firmly
attached crust of vegetable lichenic material.

2. Moss stage.—Clochodrick stone is essentially in the first
period (or crust stage). The second stage is _ especially
characterised by mosses. Of these the commonest genera are
Rhacomitrium lanuginosum, R. heterostichum, R. actculare, Cera-
todon purpureum, Dicranum species. One finds along with these
mosses, Cladonia rangiferina, Stereocaulon denudatum, Sphero-
phoron coralloides, Cladonias various species (C. gracilis var.
chordata, C. furcata and its rare variety spinosa), Cetrarta
aculeata, etc.

In the more exposed places, Andraeas and Polytrichum species
occur. In the wetter places, Brachythecium, Hypnoids and
Bartramia pomiformis, Diplophyllum albicans and /unger-
manntacee.

Some of the Cetrarias, Bartramias, Rhacomitria and Dicrana
are able to form nearly pure tufts without any other plant. This
is unusual. Generally one finds complex tufts consisting of many
different species, with lichens, mosses and liverworts all mingled
together. Very often worms, small insects, animalcule, fungi
(Agaricus semiglobatus and A. hypnorum), also appear in them.
But, whatever the constitution of the tuft botanically, its economic
importance is quite extraordinary. The amount of rich earthy
material is very great. Exact measurement is almost impossible,
because one cannot say definitely where one should begin to
measure. The moss stems are often two to three inches high, and
the underlying earthy matter may be one inch thick (more or
less).

That particular area of the rock is now defended by the tuft
from frost ; its surface is not dragged off by water. No ablation
occurs. The moss stems are like a sponge laid upon it, and even
when they are saturated with moisture, the water simply flows
over them and does not touch the stone.

TRAP-FLORA OF RENFREWSHIRE, 5

3. Vaccinium stage-——In this condition the rock affords an
opportunity for the plants of the third group, such as blaeberry,
heather, Galium saxattle, Potentilla tormentilla and grasses (such
especially as Aiva flexuosa, Agrostis, Festuca ovina, Anthoxanthum
and Luzula). At fifteen hundred feet Lycopodiaceze, the hard-
fern, and Juncus squarrosus are found.

These plants are probably divided into two groups, which act
in different ways. Those which are essentially “cranny” plants
fix themselves in some deep crack or crevice, and send out
quantities of branches, which grow a short way through the tuft
and then turn upwards above its surface. Others, such as Ga/ium
saxatile, do not seem to care much about a crevice to fix them-
selves in. They have exceeding long wiry shoots which are
buried in the moss, and from these the erect or trailing aerial
branches are formed. Galium is especially interesting, because
there are at least two sorts of aerial branches. Some end in
flowers and fruits; others, after forming leaves and remaining
above the moss, appear to become, at the end of the season,
burrowing colonising shoots. Their tips grow into and hide
themselves in the soil. They seem, indeed, to be negatively
heliotropic. Calluna (heather) also does not seem to care about
the rock crannies, and spreads under the surface of the moss.
Grasses, in this stage, seem to send their roots down through the
humus of the moss tuft until the roots reach the stone, which they
probably corrode rapidly.

Blaeberry is especially interesting. Sometimes it is distinctly a
cranny plant. I have seen a specimen with a stem half an inch
in diameter, which had grown deep into a huge, detached,
apparently quite solid, block of stone about two and a half feet
thick and three feet high. But the blaeberry also forms horizontal
pink shoots, which grow through the moss humus and no doubt
take root.

Thus the stone is exposed to two distinct destructive influences
—the wedging and breaking-up effect of the cranny plants,
and the corroding action of the grass roots and others on its
surface.

The development of this third stage is extremely interesting to
study. On watching closely one often finds that the surrounding
vegetation grows over the rock like a sort of vegetable wave.

6 TRAP-FLORA OF RENFREWSHIRE.

Next the rock is a thin layer of dead peat covered by white or
grey lichen; a moss tuft comes next, and, through the mosses,
stems of grass or blaeberry appear.

4. Herbaceous stage.—At the end of this third stage (in the case
of these rocks on the lower ground) we find the fourth stage
beginning.

In situations such as are these rock slopes on the low grounds,
sphagnum does not set in. The growth of the herbaceous plants
is aided by the disintegration of the rock, and also by rock-falls,
and by rapid drainage. The net result is the mixture of the
moss humus with sandy, stony, and other particles, and the
formation of a very steep slope. The vegetation covering it is
very thick, and a close not an open one. A whole series of
plants can develop under these conditions. The most important
are—Scabiosa, Galium verum, thyme, bluebell, Hypericum pul-
chrum, Teucrium, Meum, violas, etc. All the plants of the
Vaccinium group maintain their ground except Cad/una which
generally vanishes. Some of the above list, notably JZewm, have
special preferences. eum prefers the edge of a buried escarp-
ment, where its long root stock can pierce deeply into the rock.
The crown is protected against cold, heat, and drought by the
extraordinary bushy rosette of dead leaves.

5. Ulex stage-——The fifth stage (leguminous and bracken)
consists of whin and broom. The plants, when young, are often
crevice plants, and quite inconspicuous, but, as they grow older,
they branch out so as to overshadow and kill out most of the
grasses. Practically any one of the fourth group may occur
amongst them ; many others are also found, e.g., Rumex acetosa,
yarrow, o/cus, and other grasses, and also invading plants of
the ordinary meadowland around them, such as ragweed, clovers,
thistles and buttercups.

Bracken is very characteristic of this stage, and also of the
following. Its distribution is very peculiar. Generally it is at
from four to five hundred feet altitude, and, I think, its presence
is governed mainly by the exposure. Wind, I fancy, prevents
bracken developing unless it is protected by other plants.

I have this year seen the destruction of a very old whin-thicket,
consisting of plants apparently five feet high, with woody stems
often three inches in diameter or more.

TRAP-FLORA OF RENFREWSHIRE, ”;

6. Rosaceous stage—About this time there appear in the whin
and broom thickets the first invaders of the sixth or Rosacez
stage.

Roses, hawthorn and rowan are the commonest; then
brambles and sloes (latter not so common). Amongst them,
foxgloves and, occasionally, ashes show that if left alone a wood
might develop. Woods, in fact, do grow luxuriantly on those
faces which are too steep and broken for the plough, as may be
seen everywhere in Renfrewshire. Nor are they necessarily of any
one kind. A beautiful example occurs near Kilmacolm, above
the Gryffe, on the steep slope. Pines also grow on them well
(with bracken); so also do oaks and mixed deciduous woods,
with a luxuriant woodland undergrowth; beech occurs when
planted, and has often a homogeneous Ho/cus wood-floor.

Altitude has nothing to do with this distribution. I drew out
a list of characteristic plants noticed in twenty typical localities
(see page 10), and found that there were very few, comparatively,
which could be held characteristic of any altitude.

It is true that the “Summit” or Vaccinium flora from 1,500 to
1,700 feet (Robber Craigs, Misty Law, Hill of Stake, East Girt
Hill, Boxlaw and High Corby Knowes) differs in the presence of
the Lycopodias and /uncus sguarrosus and the absence of many
plants common below; but then I have no doubt that we could
find all the others if the highest hills were four or five thousand
feet. It is not altitude in feet above sea level, but exposure to
wind, snow and heat, that keeps out these lower plants.

On the Alps, five species, according to Vaccari, reach 4,200
metres, z.¢., 13,000 feet. Lichens occur elsewhere at 6,010 metres,
and Saussurea tridactyla at 19,000 feet. Even the beech may
ascend higher up the mountains than the oak. It is not mere
altitude, but the conditions of rain and climate that affect this
flora.

The “summit flora” represents an arrested development.

In that rainy and exposed situation, after the Vaccinium (3),
sphagnum appears, and covers or chokes out all plants which are
unable to adapt themselves to the new conditions.

Cottongrass, LZvica tetralix and £. cinerea and Scirpus
cespitosus would be the next stage (with Ca//una and lichens or
blaeberry growing on any dry patches).

8 TRAP-FLORA OF RENFREWSHIRE.

Then would follow the “ primzval peat” plastered over the
higher summits.

The point, however, is that the characteristic rock-face flora
will not occur.

Certainly these Renfrewshire rock faces have a characteristic
association. As members of the Society are aware, there is, as
yet, no recognised law as to associations and formations.
Practically every botanist follows his own views.

Eugen Warming divides the vegetation into some thirty-
three distinct associations according to the moisture conditions.
Thus we find a reference to the Ulex association under the
heading of xerophyten shrubs. Under the rock vegetations there
is a note of the lichen heaths of the far north, and moss-moors
come under water vegetation. Woods under mesophytenvereine.

But as I have shown, the same plot of ground may be
successively inhabited by five or six of Warming’s associations.

A. F. W. Schimper starts from quite another point. Taking
the three great climatic divisions—wood, grass, and desert—which
depend like those of Warming on the amount of water in the soil
and atmosphere, he finds in each of these great divisions,
formations which are governed by the chemical and especially
physical conditions of the soil, or “ edaphic ” conditions.

But he says that the formations are not in themselves
uniform, but show gradations which are due to special climatic
conditions.

I think you will at once see how very difficult it is to find the
place of any special case, such as our Renfrewshire rock flora.

During the history above described, it is successively covered
by five or six distinct and different asssociations (Warming’s)
Viz. :—

Lichen moor. (Xerophyten or rockjloors.)

Moss moor. (Polytrichum, Hypnoid), Aygrophyten.
Vaccinium stage. Alpine meadows.

Herbaceous stage. Grass meadows.

Ulex stage. Xerophyten shrubs.

Rosaceous stage. Jesophyten shrubs.

Nor is this all. Two of the plants concerned, namely, broom
and whin, pass during their own life-history from a wet association
to a dry one.

OMEN GN

}
|
:

TRAP-FLORA OF RENFREWSHIRE. 9

Young plants of both show the trefoil leaves, and compete with
grasses and ordinary flowering shrubs. Later on they are above
the grasses and lose these trefoil leaves, becoming either (broom)
leafless or (whin) spiny leaved. Both are xerophytic finally, but
at first mesophytic.

What I think both Warming and Schimper scarcely appreciate
is the change that is always at work in all vegetation. They look
simply to the present plant covering, and so classify the world’s
vegetation by its present condition, just as, in a geological map,
one simply takes the surface rock.

It would be, I think, more scientific and more easy to carry out
the geological comparison a step further. We have, in these
rock faces, outliers of the previous vegetation of the country.

In the rings of different plants round an exposed boulder we
have an exposure of the successive vegetations. We can see
before our eyes not merely what is going on now, but what has
possibly happened all over Britain since the Ice Age.

Then, no doubt, the lichen-moors and moss-moors covered
Square miles of country, as they do in the far north to-day.
There was probably a Vaccinium or moor state, and after this
came broom and whin, followed by roses, which again was
followed by woods.

It is quite unnecessary to suppose great changes of climate. A
dry, warm, steppe-like climate is assumed by Magnin to have
marked the close of the Ice Age. This is quite unnecessary.
The conditions would only permit dry plants like whin and
broom to grow.

At any rate, that is my present opinion ; and this conception of
the rock faces as showing the stages by which bare, bald and
rugged rocks are changed into peaceful, grassy lowlands or fine
beech and oak wood, seems to me well worth close investigation.

TRAP-FLORA OF RENFREWSHIRE.

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LOCALITIES OF THE MORE IMPORTANT PLANTS.

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THE COURSE TAKEN BY FOOD MATERIAL

FROM
LEAVES TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STEM,
By IsaBeL J. HuNTER.

(Read 3rd July, 1903.)

One reads of a German poet who, when asked why he was so
fond of walking in the fields, replied that he delighted in hearing
the plants grow. It is not given to every one to have so acute
a sense of hearing, nor, were other sounds to be heard in
proportion, would one envy the German his possession. But,
though denied the poet’s privilege of hearing the plants grow, we
may be pardoned if we have a not unnatural desire to learn what
we can about their growth.

That much is already known goes without saying, but if it were
not a marked trait of the human character ever to set a higher
value on what is not known than on what has already been made
manifest, there would be no such thing as ignorance.

Therefore I do not purpose to treat of facts already within our
grasp, but of one which the work of others has brought within
our reach. I refer to tracing the direction and measuring the
rate of the food current in plants.

Botanical research has sufficiently demonstrated that it is
within the green cells of the leaves that this current has its origin,
and that it travels by the bast tissue to wherever growth is taking
place, or food substances are being stored for future use. But
though many have succeeded by the use of coloured fluids in
determining the direction taken by the sap ascending from the
roots, evidently no one has hitherto thought that it might be
possible to show with equal clearness the direction taken by the
descending sap.

The green cells of the leaf are sometimes compared to factories
to which the raw materials are transported, both those entering

I2 PASSAGE OF FOOD FROM LEAVES TO STEM.

from the soil and those absorbed from the air, to be there manu-
factured into organic substances such as the plant can live upon.

That the bast tissue is the medium by which the sugar and
other food stuffs travel from the factories to the seats of con-
sumption is evidenced from the fact that when the contents of the
phlem or bast cells are tested they are found to contain the
same substances as are formed in the leaves, and also that if an
incision is made round a branch, and a small ring of tissue be
removed extending inwards as far as the wood, the growing parts
below the wound dwindle and die, while those above become
more luxuriant. Thus, though we know where the food stuffs are
manufactured, by what medium they travel, and their destination,
yet the exact course followed and the rate of travelling are not
known, and it was with the view of determining these that the
following experiments were undertaken. Most of them were
carried on in the Botanical Laboratory in connection with the
Technical College, and under the guidance of Professor Scott
Elliot, to whom I am indebted for suggesting methods of con-
ducting the experiments, and also for the sympathetic and helpful
interest which he has shown.

Several methods were tried, but the following was found to be
the most successful. The idea was to discover whether it was
possible to insert a coloured fluid into the food-conducting tissue
of stems and leaves, and whether the course followed by the food
material could be studied by the use of such a fluid.

Both pot plants and cuttings from any available evergreen trees
and shrubs, such as laurel, rhododendron, pine and box were
employed. My choice was limited to these, as the experiments
were made during winter and early spring.

The method of conducting the experiment was as follows :—

Eosine was inserted into a puncture made in the stems and on
the under side of the midribs of the leaves bya fine needle. The
object is to pierce the bast or phloem only, leaving the xylem or
wood uninjured. But as the extent of development of cortex,
bast, and xylem differed in the various stems, and as the dye must
on no account be introduced into the xylem, it was necessary, first
of all, to cut and examine a transverse section of each stem in
order to determine how far to introduce the needle, so that the
bast would be pierced but the xylem uninjured. After settling

PASSAGE OF FOOD FROM LEAVES TO STEM. 13

this, a trough of plasticene was formed round each stem about
four inches above the cut end, or in the case of the pot plants,
round a branch about three inches from its union with the main
stem. It is rather more difficult getting the plasticene to adhere
to the under side of the leaf and to model it so that the eosine will
not escape, but, with a little care and ingenuity, it can be done.
To exclude air from the puncture the troughs were first filled with
eosine, and then the needle was made to puncture the stem from
above, downwards, at about an angle of 45°. Inserting the needle
at an angle makes an opening that has several advantages over
one made at right angles to the stem. For one thing, it holds
more eosine, and, for another, the injury to the plant is not so
great. As regards the time allowed, it was found that as the
eosine was absorbed quicker and travelled more rapidly in the leaf
midribs than in the stems, less time was required for experiments
on the former than on the latter. At the end of three or four
hours the leaves had absorbed sufficient eosine to show definite
results, whereas at least twenty-four hours had to be allowed for
stems. After the allotted time, the plasticene was removed, and
the stems and leaves washed, dried, and set aside for two or three
hours. This is necessary, for if the sections are cut when the cells
are flooded with eosine some of it escapes into the adjacent cells,
and so spoils the result. When cutting the section great care has
to be taken to disturb the eosine as little as possible. All the
i transverse sections of the different stems, both those cut at the
point of insertion of the eosine and others, whether higher up or
f lower down the stem, showed clearly that the fluid inserted had
entered the phlcem, diffused from it into the medullary rays of the
phloem, from these into the cambium, and also into the medullary
ray cells of the wood. From these latter cells it diffused into the
water-conducting tissue surrounding the pith. Every precaution
was taken when cutting the sections, such as cutting towards the
puncture, keeping the razor and stem as dry as possible, etc., to
prevent the dye entering the cells which it had not diffused into.
As a result, it is obvious that it is possible to insert a fluid into
the bast or phlcem, and that a fluid so inserted is taken up by the
tissues.

To determine the course taken by the eosine, longitudinal, as
OF well as transverse sections, were also taken. From these it was

Si hl ernie

ae ee eer re, oe py
oe =

oe

14 PASSAGE OF FOOD FROM LEAVES TO STEM.

seen that diffusion takes place slowly in the cortex, and less rapidly
than in any of the other tissues. When the colouring fluid is
injected into the cortex alone it goes no further, only a few cells.
surrounding the puncture are coloured, but that is all. This was
markedly seen in the case of the box stem. The puncture was
full of eosine, and yet not even the adjoining cells were coloured.
There was a bright red residue on the stem, which indicated that
probably some of the liquid had been absorbed, but the colouring
matter left.

When a cork cambium is present, the eosine enters its cells and
diffuses from cell to cell. In cross sections the cork-forming
layer appears as a red band. This was very noticeable in the
section of the laurel stem. Longitudinal sections show that in
the cortex the eosine diffuses as slowly in an up and down
direction as in a lateral one. The case of Pinus sylvestris was
very interesting, as in the cortical cells the eosine was found to
have diffused more than in any of the other stems. A section cut
two inches above the insertion of the eosine showed that it was
especially the cells or epithelium surrounding the resin canals
which were coloured. In most of the other stems the dye was
found to have ascended farthest in the xylem vessels.

In the phloem the eosine was found to have diffused to a
greater extent in all directions than it did in the cortex. The
distance ascended was in every case less than the distance
descended. But until the experiment has been tried on growing
plants at different seasons, and the results compared, no definite
conclusions can be drawn. From the sections on the table you
will see that it is possible to inject into the sieve tubes; and as the
eosine when injected at one point only does not interfere with the
life of the plant, both the rate and direction of the flow in°a
growing plant might be accepted as being natural. Other dyes
were tried, but eosine was found to be the best.

That the course followed by the food material can be studied
by the use of such a fluid seems probable, for besides the sieve
tubes and companion cells, the medullary rays are also coloured.
These latter extend from between the cells of the phloem across
the cambium and xylem to the pith. The contents of the
medullary ray cells diffuse into the cells of the cambium adjoining
them. That the dye diffuses from cell to cell of the cambium in

Ps

Per

PASSAGE OF FOOD FROM LEAVES TO STEM. 15

a lateral direction is seen from the fact that, in a cross section, the
coloured portion of the cambium extends on each side beyond
the coloured portion of the phloem. The longitudinal sections
show that the dye ascends in the cells of the cambium to the same
height as it does in the phleem, but that the distance descended
is greater. Transverse sections cut on a level with the point of
insertion of the eosine show that the eosine travels along the
medullary rays to the pith, but instead of entering the latter, it
enters the vessels forming what is sometimes called the medullary
sheath. The rhododendron stem showed this well, the medullary
rays showing as thin red streaks, radiating from the pith to the
phleem. To test or decide whether it were the case that the
eosine, and therefore probably the food, enters vessels which are
generally supposed to conduct water, eosine was inserted into
several stems, and after some of it was absorbed the stems were
placed in test tubes containing a solution of saffron. Both the
transverse and longitudinal sections show the cortex and phloem
stained red, the large vessels and the cells surrounding them
yellow, while the vessels surrounding the pith are orange, showing
that in these two latter the two currents had mingled. This result
was particularly interesting, as the use of the two colours gives a
vivid picture of the course followed by both the ascending and the
descending currents—the eosine showing the course of the food
from the leaves, and the saffron that of the water from the roots.
From these experiments it is evident that eosine inserted into the
cortical and bast tissue of stems travels by the phloem, medullary
rays, and cambium, all of which consist of living cells. In one or
two of the sections on the table you will notice that in one or two
places the tissue next to the pith is very brightly coloured, showing
that the stream has been directed towards these points. This
seems curious, but in the stems which I examined I found that
the increased flow was directed towards places where buds were
developing. The section of box stem shows this clearly, but not
so much so as when I sectioned it. Then, the outer tissue showed
pure white, while the cells of the bud and those leading to it were
turgid with eosine. This result was the more remarkable, for, as
previously mentioned, when the eosine was inserted into the
cortex of this stem none was absorbed. This coloration of the
protoxylem was found in all the stems examined ; and as in the

16 PASSAGE OF FOOD FROM LEAVES TO STEM.

case of the box, so with the pine, rhododendron, and laurel,
_the current in these vessels was found to be directed downwards
towards developing buds. But as the experiment was made on
the upper and younger portions of stems, I cannot say whether
this would also happen in older portions.

I have treated of the stems first, chiefly because there was more
uniformity in the course followed by the eosine in them than in
the leaves. The extent of development of the different tissues
being greater makes it easier to experiment on stems, and also to
observe the results. But as one would naturally, if he were
trying this experiment on a growing plant, think of injecting into
the leaves, I shall state what happened in the cases I tried. At
first I inserted the eosine into the green cells, with the result that
the cells surrounding the puncture died, and showed as brown
spots a quarter of an inch in diameter. The effect produced in a
hyacinth leaf was equally disappointing. The eosine was injected
one and a half inches from the tip and a quarter of an inch from
the margin. The neighbouring cells turned flaccid, but not
brown, and no cork was formed as in the case of evergreen leaves.
The remainder of the leaf was in no way affected, and as the leaf
continued to grow it became contorted at the tip. The eosine
has evidently an injurious effect when introduced into cells in
which assimilation is going on, but when introduced into the
under side of the midrib it has no such bad effect. It is not easy
determining how far to insert the needle, but leaves are more
plentiful than stems, and are easier to section, and you can always
see by examining a section cut at the point of insertion how far
the needle has entered. If the eosine enters the sub-epidermal
tissue only there is no result. The laurel leaf is an interesting
one to experiment on, on account of the living cells which extend
in a radial direction between the xylem vessels, so that they are
in connection with both the phloem and the xylem. The eosine
inserted into the phloem travels downwards very slowly, compared
with what it does in the sclerenchymatous tissue outside of the
phlcem, or in the living cells between the vessels. In the leaves
the eosine which enters the vessels from the parenchymatous
cells travels upwards. In the other cells the direction is a down-
ward one. When conducting the experiments I did not take
notes on the rate of travelling, because it was to be expected that

PASSAGE OF FOOD FROM LEAVES TO STEM. 17

the eosine would travel slower in cut stems than in growing plants.
As a matter of fact, the rate was greater in the pot plants, and in
the experiment which has since been tried on a growing plant the
rate was greater still. To sum up, the food current in plants is
directed towards places where young or undifferentiated cells are
being formed and passes along the protoplasmic lines of com-
munication. As I have endeavoured to show, this is the exact
course taken by the eosine, so that by injecting it into the bast
tissue one may trace the direction taken, and also measure the
trate of the current.

RECORDS: OF EXCURSIONS IN
DUMBARTONSHIRE.
By Joun R. LEE.

THE county of Dumbarton presents a pleasing diversity of
surface features—shady glens with picturesque cascades and
murmuring streams, wild and lonely stretches of moorland,
carpeted with every variety of grass and heather, winsome
glimpses of river, loch, and mountain scenery, and sometimes all
these in combination. This variety of scenery is due in part to
the geological nature of the district. The great Highland fault
crosses the county from behind Rosneath to a little below Luss,
thus dividing off a portion to the north, in which the schistose
rocks of the highlands are in evidence ; whilst the more extensive
lowland portion includes large areas of hill country where the
peculiar features of the trap rocks of Carboniferous age are very
marked.

The fauna and flora of the county consequently possess
considerable attractiveness, and the numerous excursions of the
Society to various points within its boundaries have generally
been of an interesting nature. In the present account of these
excursions the county is, for the sake of clearness, divided into
eight sections, and the excursions in each of these are separately
referred to.

I.—CUMBERNAULD DISTRICT.

The detached portion of the county extending from Lenzie on
the west to Castlecary on the east, has been visited by the Society
on five occasions, viz.—13th June and 22nd August, 1891, 29th
April, 1893, roth October, 1903, and 3rd September, 1904. On
the first three occasions Castlecary was made the objective, the
road from Dullatur being traversed on the third of these. A
full account of these three excursions is incorporated in the
Records of Excursions in Stirlingshire, which appeared in Vol. II.

(pp. 129-131).

DUMBARTONSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 19

The line of the Roman Wall between Dullatur and Cumbernauld
was visited on the fourth occasion mentioned, this being one of
the fungus forays which have of late years been a constant feature
of the Society’s programme. The reports, however, indicate that
no finds worthy of special note were made.

The last excursion to this district, 3rd September, 1904, was
a walk from Croy Station, through Bar Hill to Twechar, returning
by the canal bank. Bar Hill forms the western portion of an
extensive ridge of igneous rock running parallel with the Kilsyth
end of the Campsie Fells, from which it is separated by the valley
of the Kelvin. The ridge is broken midway by the gap, through
which runs the road from Condorrat to Kilsyth, and which divides
Bar Hill on the west from Croy Hill on the east. Although
geologically these two portions of the ridge are identical in
structure, the scenery presents a marked contrast—Croy Hill being
covered with grass and bracken, while Bar Hill is beautifully
wooded, affording good cover for the game which abounds, and
yielding much valuable timber. There are numerous whinstone
quarries in the vicinity, and in many parts of the rock faces an
approach to columnar structure was observed. ‘The lateness of the
season was unfavourable for botanical work, and nothing of an
uncommon nature was observed as regards the flora of the
district. The special feature of the woods which attracted
attention was the number of large beeches, although there are
many fine oaks, pines, and other species as well. The footpath
which was followed ends abruptly at the old coke ovens, now
disused. ‘The process of coke making, formerly carried on here,
has now been transferred to Twechar, a short distance to the west.

II.—MILNGAVIE DISTRICT.

The portion of the county lying between the Allander and the
Clyde, and extending from the Kelvin to the base of the Kilpatrick
Hills, embraces a district which has received a considerable
amount of attention from the various sections of the Society. As,
however, no detailed record is kept of sectional excursions,
it is only possible to give a brief general account of the large
amount of work done in this locality. Dougalston Loch, which is
situated partly in Dumbartonshire and partly in Stirlingshire, has
been visited on four different occasions by members of the

20 DUMBARTONSHIRE EXCURSIONS.

microscopical section, for whose particular studies its fen-like
margins yield abundant material. The numerous small lakes in
the Milngavie district have always been an attractive hunting
ground to members of the Society—their peculiar flora, as well as
the abundance of bird and insect life, affording rich fields of
investigation. Most of these lakes, however, are just outside the
county boundary, the only other one falling to be dealt with in
this account being St. German’s Loch, near Bearsden, which has
been long known to members as possessing several features of
interest, and has been twice visited officially—once by the micro-
scopical section, and once by the botanical section. On one side
the characteristic “‘ willow-thicket ” is well developed, while large
beds of Eguisetum limosum and Eleocharis palustris, with their
usual associates, extend along its margin. The beautiful water-
lily is a feature of this, as of many other lochs in the district,
whilst a botanical item of interest is the occurrence of the water
hemlock (Cicuta virosa, L.).

The course of the Allander Water, and of its tributary, the
Craigton Burn, have been often followed by various sections, and
have proved fruitful of results. No separate faunal or floral lists,
however, for these localities are available. The formation of the
present golf course on Clober Moor, across which runs an old
right-of-way, has to some extent altered the features of the ground.
Many interesting marsh and moorland plants were formerly
abundant here, and most are still to be found in places, especially
near the banks of the stream ; but drainage has taken place over
parts of the moor, and the distribution of these species has in
consequence become more restricted.

Craigton Wood, first visited by the Society on 12th October,
1889, for the purpose of collecting fungi, has since then been the
scene of other four fungus forays—on 17th September, 1898, 30th
September, 1899, 13th October, 1900, and rith October, 1902.
The wood is principally beech, and its dense shade and great
development of leaf-mould render it specially rich in the larger
fungi. Mains Wood, between Craigton and Bearsden, has also
received attention from the botanical and entomological sections.
It is more of the nature of a mixed wood, coniferous trees of
various species occurring amongst the deciduous ones. The ©
general aspect of the plant-carpet is more varied, and the

DUMBARTONSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 21

shrubbery more copious than in Craigton, but the fungus flora is
not so rich.

Another wood in this district which has been searched for fungi
is Dougalston Wood, on the north side of the road leading from
Milngavie to Baldernock, which was visited on 24th September,
t904. Garscube Estate, near Maryhill, was visited with a like
object on 18th October, 1902.

IIl.—THE KILPATRICK HILLS.

The picturesque hill-masses, which compose the northern
boundary of the Clyde Valley from New Kilpatrick to Dumbarton,
possess many features of interest to students of natural history.
The higher parts consist of terraced trap rocks of Carboniferous
age, the terraces being very marked and striking in some parts,
whilst underlying these are the limestones and shales of the lower
carboniferous series, these strata being exposed in some of the
glens cut by the numerous streams which descend from these hills.
Excursions have been made in various directions from time to
time, and the members of the Society have thus been made
familiar with most of the places of special interest. The portions
of the Kilpatrick range lying north of the Auldmurroch Burn, and
east of Gallangad Glen, including Auchineden Hill with its famous
** Whangie,” the Stockie Moor and Finnich Glen, are included in
the county of Stirling, and have already received notice in the
paper dealing with excursions in that county. The central
portion of the hills and the glens draining towards the Clyde will
be dealt with here.

The Society has, on two occasions—r11th June, 1892, and 11th
May, 1895—made the ascent of Duncomb, the highest point of
these hills, 1313 feet, starting on both occasions from Dalmuir, and
ascending via Duntocher and Faifley, thence by the bed of the Loch
Humphrey Burn to Loch Humphrey itself. Near the southern
boundary of the Cochno policies, a little to the east, the curious
“cup and ring” marked stones in a field adjoining Edinbarnet,
proved objects of great interest to the members. These examples
at Cochno are very perfect ones, but on the second occasion referred
to they were observed to be showing signs of weathering badly.

A fine waterfall on the Loch Humphrey Burn attracted
attention, and amongst the plants observed here were the globe

22 DUMBARTONSHIRE EXCURSIONS.

flower (Zrollius Europeus, L.) and wood cranesbill (Geranium
sylvaticum, L.), both characteristic plants of the sides of mountain
streams. On the higher parts of the hills the crowberry
(Empetrum nigrum, L.) and the cowberry (Vaccinium Vitis-Idea,
Z.) were found ; and on the rocks, at an elevation of about one
thousand feet, the beautiful lady’s cushion (Saxifraga hypnoides,
Z.) is very abundant. The parsley fern (Cryptogramme crispa,
Zr.) occurs on the tall slopes of Duncomb. A _ considerable
number of birds (thirty-seven species in all) was reported as
having been observed by the ornithologists present. These
included the kestrel, sparrow hawk, tree pipit, spotted fly-
catcher, golden plover, redshank, and redstart. A_ small
breeding colony of the black-headed gull occurs on an island in
Loch Humphrey. On the occasion of the first excursion the
abundance of the small heath butterfly (Canonympha pamphilus)
was remarked upon.

From the summit of Duncomb a magnificent view to the north-
ward is obtained, and, as on both occasions the Society was
fortunate as regards weather conditions, the members of the party
were amply rewarded for their climb by a glorious panorama,
including Loch Lomond with its islands and the grand background
of the Highland mountains. From here, on the first occasion,
the party proceeded eastwards, crossing the Auldmurroch Burn,
and returning via Milngavie. On the second occasion the
return journey was made from Loch Humphrey southwards to
Old Kilpatrick by a road which passes round the shoulder of the
hill overlooking the Clyde above Bowling, from which a grand
view was obtained. A great abundance of vernal whitlow-grass
(Draba verna, L.) was noted along this road.

Besides the two excursions mentioned, the same localities have
been visited, once by the ornithological section on 6th May, 1893,
and once by the botanical section on 6th May, 1905.

Of the numerous glens of the Kilpatrick Hills, the one
which has received the largest share of attention from various
sections of the Society is Murroch Glen. Although numerous
sectional excursions have been made, however, the Society has
only once had a general excursion to this interesting locality,
namely, on roth September, 1892. On this occasion the party
walked from Dumbarton station to Murroch Farm, near the

DUMBARTONSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 23

entrance to Strathleven, from which point the glen was followed
up for about a mile. In the pond near Dumbarton Station, now
part of the recreation ground, the nodding bur-marigold (Bidens
cernua, L.) was observed. ‘This pond has since been cleaned out,
and the species has, in consequence, become extinct in this
locality. Near the entrance to the glen specimens of the great
horsetail (Zguisetum Telmateia, Ehr.) were found growing.
Murroch Glen is of great interest geologically, owing to the great
height of the exposed sections of the strata through which the
stream has cut its way. The rocks belong to the ‘cement stone”
series of the upper division of the calciferous sandstones, and these
here overlie the lower carboniferous sandstones, and are overlain
by the carboniferous traps and lower carboniferous limestone.
The exposed strata are composed of regularly alternating beds of
limestone and marly shale, the continuity being broken at intervals
by trap dykes. The sedimentary rocks were observed to be
“charred” at some points by contact with the intrusive dolerite,
this being specially noticeable where a vein of gypsum was
affected. At a point a little over a mile above Murroch Farm
the main stream is joined by a tributary coming from the eastward,
the bed of which is cut across, near its junction with the Murroch
Burn, by a trap dyke of considerable thickness, through which the
water has cut a rather curious opening known as the ‘“ Gate of
Sodom.” A small waterfall at one time existed here, but the basin
has been filled by the detritus brought down by the stream up to
the level of the dyke, the fall being consequently obliterated.
The ring ousel (Zurdus torquatus) was seen in considerable
numbers in the upper part of the glen. The chief plant of
interest noted on this excursion was the wood vetch (Vicia
sylvatica, Z.), a rare species in Clydesdale, which occurs in the
glen. Other plants noted were the common agrimony (Agz7#-
monia Eupatoria, L.) and the grass of Parnassus (Parnassia
palustris, L.). A few members of the party made the return
journey by way of Overtoun to the Dumbarton road, which was
thence followed to Bowling.

Overtoun was again visited by the Society on 28th March, 1896,
in conjunction with the Natural History Society of Glasgow, when
the many fine exotic shrubs in the gardens attracted particular
attention. After leaving the policies, the party on this occasion

24 DUMBARTONSHIRE EXCURSIONS.

visited the Caledonian hill-fort on Dunbuie, under the leadership
of the late Mr. W. A. Donnelly, who gave many interesting
particulars regarding the various finds made during the excavations
here.

Auchentorlie Glen was visited on 16th October, 1886, and
again on 16th June, 1888. On the latter occasion the Rev. A. S.
Wilson, M.A., B.Sc., first President of the Society, acted as
conductor, and the party were joined by a few of the students
attending the summer Botany class in the Andersonian College,
where Mr. Wilson was at that time lecturer. At this excursion
the following list of plants, found in the glen, was compiled :—

Sisymbrium Thaliana, Hook. Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, L.
Myosotis versicolor, Reich. Asplenium Trichomanes, L.
Ornithopus perpusillus, L. Aspidium aculeatum, Sev.
Ruscus aculeatus, L. Polypodium Phegopteris, L.
Campanula latifolia, L. Polypodium Dryopteris, L.

Milium effusum, L.

A service-tree (Pyrus pinnatifida) on the side of the carriage
drive was measured, girth 5 ft. 2 ins, and an ash near the
mansion house girthed r1 ft. 5 ins.

Gallangad Glen has been visited on three occasions by the
botanical section, the first excursion being on 7th July, 1900,
on which occasion the rare Pyrola secunda, L., was discovered
here, this being its first record for the county. On the second
occasion—z22nd June, 1901—the entomological and microscopical
sections joined with the botanists, and the glen was fully explored
from Caldarvon upwards to the waterfall, which is one of the
largest and finest in the district. The third visit was on 18th
June, 1904. No detailed record of these excursions is, however,
available.

IV.—KILMARONOCK PARISH.

The district included in the parish of Kilmaronock, lying
between the Kilpatrick hills and the south-eastern shore of Loch
Lomond has been twice visited by the Society, the first occasion
being on 4th August, 1900, when an excursion to Ross Priory was
arranged conjointly with the Natural History Society of Glasgow.
After visiting the family burial-ground, the party were met at the

DUMBARTONSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 25

door of the mansion-house by the proprietor, the late Sir George
H. Leith-Buchanan, who acted as conductor over the remainder
of the estate. A number of fine trees were noted, and. measure-
ments taken. A record of these measurements appears in the
Transactions of the Natural History Society of Glasgow, vol.
VI., page 164. The party returned to Balloch wa Mount
Misery, from which a charming view of Loch Lomond was
obtained.

The second excursion in this district, which had for its objective
point Caldarvon Loch, took place on 14th June, 1902. The loch
is on the estate of Caldarvon, about three miles from Balloch
station. Through the kindness of the proprietor, ). S. Mackenzie,
Esq., a couple of boats were placed at the disposal of the party,
who were thus enabled to visit the islands, on one of which two
nests of the tufted duck, one containing six, and the other eight
eggs, were seen. On the southern shore of the loch a coot’s nest
with six eggs was observed, and another with two young birds
also attracted attention. Amongst the more noticeable plants
found growing on the margin of the loch, the tufted loosestrife
(Lysimachia thyrsifiora, Ait) and the bogbean (dlenyanthes
trifoliata, Z.) are worthy of special mention. A species of
bladderwort ( Utricularia) was also found in the loch near its
western extremity, while specimens of (Vitella flexilis, Ag., were
obtained in the deeper water. The white and yellow waterlilies
(Nymphea alba, L. and Nuphar luteum, Sm.) grow in great
abundance in the loch, and a large part of the surface is covered
by their floating leaves. Along the roadsides in the vicinity of
Caldarvon a number of interesting plants occur, such as the
twayblade (Zzstera ovata, Br.), the butterfly orchis (Habenaria
chlorantha, Bab.), and the lesser wintergreen (Pyrola minor, L.).

V.—THE CLYDE, rrom BOWLING to HELENSBURGH.

An excursion, starting from Dumbarton (where a visit was paid
to the Rock) and proceeding. up the right bank of the Clyde to
Bowling, thence by way of the canal-bank to Old Kilpatrick and
Dalmuir, took place on 8th August, 1891. The records are
entirely confined to the botany of the district, which is of special
interest. The following is a list of the more interesting plants
observed on this occasion :—

26 DUMBARTONSHIRE EXCURSIONS.

Clematis Vitalba, L. Gnaphalium uliginosum, L.
Ranunculus sceleratus, L. Aster Tripolium, L.

Malva moschata, L. Lysimachia vulgaris, L.
Malva sylvestris, L. Glaux maritima, L.
Hypericum perforatum, L. Solanum Dulcamara, L.
Ononis arvensis, L. Convolvulus arvensis, L.
Epilobium hirsutum, L. Veronica Buxbaumii, Ter.
Sedum Telephium, L. Bartsia Odontites, Huds.
Lythrum Salicaria, L. Juncus compressus, Jacq.
Angelica sylvestris, L. Triglochin maritimum, L.
Sherardia arvensis, L. Scirpus maritimus, L.
Arctium Lappa, L. Phragmites communis, Trin.

Besides these the following plants were found growing in the
quarry at Bowling, viz.:—LZchium vulgare, L., Stachys arvensis, L.,
Cichorium Intybus, L., Erythrea Centaurium, Pers.,and Euphorbia
Peplus, L.

Another visit to this interesting part of the Clyde was paid by
the microscopical and entomological sections on 3rd June, 1905,
but the results have not been specially recorded.

On 21st January, 1899, the Society paid a visit to the Clyde
“ crannog,” opposite Dumbuck, its discoverer, the late Mr. W. A.
Donnelly, acting as guide. A strong south-westerly wind prevailing
resulted in the flow-tide covering the structure somewhat earlier
than had been anticipated, and, as a consequence, the party were
unable to make as full an inspection of it as was desired.
However, Mr. Donnelly pointed out many of the interesting
features of the “crannog,” and briefly explained the history of its
discovery, and the work of excavation which he had undertaken
with the help of some members of the Helensburgh Naturalists’
and Antiquarian Society.

Ardmore Point was visited by the Society on 16th September,
1899. Previous to this, two autumn excursions—on 2oth
October, 1894, and again on 3rd September, 1898—had been
made by the ornithological section along the Cardross shore to
Ardmore, and their observations led to the expectation that a
number of the Arctic waders would be in evidence at this season,
the locality being specially favourable for these birds, owing to
the large quantity of sand and mud exposed at low tide. However,
on the occasion of the Society’s visit they were not seen, the only
waders observed being the dunlin (Zynga a/pina), the redshank

4
a
‘.
ms
is
}

DUMBARTONSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 27

(Zotanus calidris), the curlew (Mumenius arguata), and the
lapwing (Vanellus vulgaris). The lateness of the season was not
favourable to the botanical members present, but the rest-harrow
(Ononts arvensis) was observed in bloom on the shore, and
specimens of bittersweet (So/anum dulcamara), in fine fruit, were
gathered. The botanical section paid another visit to this locality
in the spring of 1904 (30th April), but nothing of exceptional
interest was recorded.

Kilmahew estate was visited on 7th April, 1900, the policies
being entered from the public road at the foot of Bloomhill Glen,
and the party then following a path which leads to the old castle.
A group of conifers, about forty years old, growing between the
burn and the path, attracted attention, the most noteworthy being
a fine Adies Albertiana, about sixty-five feet high, and beautifully
furnished to the ground. Another group at the lower end of
the garden also claimed some attention, particularly a specimen of
Sequoia gigantea, grown in close wood near the avenue. This
species is remarkable, when growing in the open, for its very
tapered stem, but the particular tree referred to indicates that this
feature is greatly minimised when the species is cultivated as a
forest tree. After a brief visit to the gardens and plant-houses,
the party next visited the mansion-house, beautifully situated at
the side of the glen, and commanding a fine view of the Firth of
Clyde. In a pond on the opposite side of the glen from the
mansion, two mute swans and a number of Canada _ geese
attracted the attention of the photographers of the party.

Darleith Glen was the scene of one of the Society’s earliest
excursions—on 18th September, 1886; but beyond recording the
fact that the excursion took place, no information regarding it has
been preserved.

Camis Eskan estate, near Craigendoran, was visited on 2oth
April, 1895. A number of fine trees were examined here, and
the following measurements were taken :—four silver firs by the
side of the burn girthed respectively 11 ft. 4 ins., 12 ft. 9 ins.,
13 ft. 1 in., and 13 ft. 3 ins.—all sound trees, with long, straight
trunks; near the shore road, two beeches measured respectively
11 ft. 8 ins. and 14 ft. 9 ins., but the latter tree had a deeply
fissured bole and was evidently past its best ; an ash, beyond the
saw-mill, girthed 14 ft. 9 ins. at 1 ft. from the ground, and ro ft.

28 DUMBARTONSHIRE EXCURSIONS.

5 ins. at 5 ft.; a great maple on the lawn in front and to the east
of the mansion-house, girthed 18 ft. 7 ins. at 1 ft., and 13 ft. 8 ins.
at 5 ft.; a wych elm in the centre of the lawn gave 1g ft. 5 ins.
at 14 ft., and 14 ft. 9 in. at 44 ft.; and a larch at some distance
behind the house, up the burn, girthed g ft. 5 in. (These
measurements, when not otherwise stated, were taken at the
narrowest accessible part of the trunk.) From the tree-tops the
call of the chiff-chaff was heard, and a few tree-creepers and a
dipper were seen. On leaving the policies, the moor of Killeter
was ascended to the summit—Ben-a-Bhuidhe, 1025 ft.—from
which a view of Loch Lomond, Glen Fruin, and the Arrochar
hills was obtained. This moor, although of very limited extent,
is said to be the best grouse-moor in the county, and has yielded
as many as sixty-four brace of grouse to two guns in one day’s
shooting. A few black-game also occur, and in the firwood covers
the capercaillie breeds in some numbers.

VI.—ROSNEATH AND GARELOCH.

The shores of the Gareloch and the Rosneath peninsula have
received attention from the ornithological and botanical sections
at various times, and four excursions of the Society have taken
place in this part of the county.

Rosneath was visited on 27th September, 1890, and again on
4th April, 1903. On both occasions the fine trees of the district
attracted special attention, particularly the avenue near the church,
which is composed of a triple line of trees, the inner being yews,
the middle limes, and the outer Spanish chestnuts. The rare
fungus Hormiscium pithyophilum, Nees., occurs here, parasitic
upon the yews. Nearer the Castle there are two well-known
silver firs, popularly known as “Adam” and “ Eve,” said to be
the largest of their species in the country. On the first occasion
of the Society’s visit (1890) these trees were measured, and found
to girth 21 feet 8 inches and 21 feet 4 inches, respectively, both
at 4% feet from the ground. The measurements given in the
Handbook of the Fauna, Flora, and Geology of the Clyde Area,
published on the occasion of the visit of the British Association
to Glasgow in 1gor, were taken in April, 1895, at the same height,
and shew an increase in girth during the four years of 24 inches
and 3% inches, respectively. These magnificent trees are very

7 cat tad

DUMBARTONSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 29

finely developed, the beautiful candelabra-like form of the
branching, characteristic of the species, being well shewn. The
woods of Rosneath are a favourite observation ground with
ornithologists, the chiff-chaff being one of the special birds making
an early appearance here in spring.

Garelochhead was visited by the Society on 1st June, 1895,
when the party travelled by the line of the West Highland
Railway. Beyond Helensburgh the railway crosses the line of
the great Highland fault, and the change from the sandstone to
the schistose rocks of the Highlands is well seen in the cuttings.
Nothing of special note is recorded as having been observed on
this excursion, but, as the weather was fine, a visit to the hills
above Whistlefield rewarded the members of the party with a
magnificent view of the Argyllshire mountains and the entrance to
Loch Goil.

On toth August, 1901, a small party of members again visited
Garelochhead, but on this occasion the objective point was the
“hut-circles” on the Auchengaich Burn, at the head of Glen
Fruin. The evidences of glacial action are very well seen through-
out this district, and many stones shewing glacial markings were
observed on the way. The hut-circles, which formed the turning
point in the afternoon’s ramble, are about a thousand feet above
sea-level, and are chiefly situated on the left bank of the
Auchengaich Burn. There are more than fifty mounds altogether,
but only a few have been opened, for it must be borne in mind
that, when discovered, every roof had fallen in, and every mound
was covered with turf and heather. These ruins evidently mark
the site of an old village, but it is a very debatable question as to
whether they are to be regarded as dating back to prehistoric
times, or are of comparatively recent origin.

VII.—LUSS DISTRICT.

Excursions to Lochlomondside have always been popular with
members of the Society, and during the frequent visits to this
charming lake, the first objective has in most cases been the
picturesque village of Luss. In Volume I. an account was given
of the Society’s excursions to Loch Lomond, bringing the records
up to the date of publication (1893). In the present account the
subsequent visits to the south-western side of the lake, and to the

30 DUMBARTONSHIRE EXCURSIONS.

islands included within the county of Dumbarton, will be dealt
with.

Luss itself, and the glen behind the village, received a visit on
6th June, 1903, when fine weather favoured the large number of
members who attended the excursion. The glen contains much
natural birch, holly, and aspen, and the woods afford shelter to a
varied and interesting flora, but nothing of special botanical
interest was recorded. A nest of the wood-wren (Phylloscopus
stbilatrix) with eggs was seen; and the occurrence of the king-
fisher (Adcedo ispida), on the Luss Water, was noted. The
following list of Diptera (section Tipulide) was compiled by
members of the entomological section, as having been noted at
this excursion :—

Limnobia nubeculosa, Mg.(common). L. bicolor, Mg.

L. flavipes, F. L. nemoralis, Mg.
Dicranomyia chorea, Mg. Ula pilosa, Schum. (common).
D. pilipennis, Egg. Amalopis immaculata, Mg.
Lipsothrix errans, Wlk. (common). A. unicolor, Schum. (very common
Empeda nubila, Schum. at the head of the glen).
Gonioinyia (sp. ?) Dolichopeza sylvicola, Curt. (in
Molophilus murinus, Mg. (in clouds great numbers).

at two places in the glen). Pachyrrhina annulicornis, Mg.
M. propinquus, Egg. Tipula longicornis, Schum.
Rhypholophus nodulosus, Meg. T. varipennis, Mg.
Erioptera teenionota, Mg. T. hortulana, Mg.
Ephelia marmorata, Mg. T. flavolineata, Mg. (one female).
E. submarmorata, Ver. T. vernalis, Mg.
Limnophila lineolella, Ver. T. gigantea, Schrk. (common).

Inchmoan was again visited on 18th June, 1898, when it was
observed that the nesting colony of the lesser black-backed gull
appeared to be diminishing in numbers, and evidences were
apparent that the nests had been much disturbed and many eggs
taken. This island used to be frequented by a large number of
species of birds, and it is to be regretted that it has not been
preserved as a sanctuary during the breeding season. On this
occasion, besides several characteristic moorland species, a pair of
oyster-catchers were seen, and also several pairs of terns, of which
a number of nests with eggs were found. The species was
probably the common tern (Sterna fluviatilis), but no close view
of the birds was obtained. The island is almost entirely a flat,
boggy moor, covered with heather and sphagnum, but at the west

DUMBARTONSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 31

point there is a small group of Scots firs, amongst which the
golden-crested wren was observed.

On 4th June, 1904, an excursion to Luss took place for the
purpose of visiting the islands, on which occasion the party
divided, thus being enabled to take in the three islands of
Inchmoan, Inchconnachan, and Inchtavannach. On the island
of Inchconnachan nests of the redstart and _ redbreasted
merganser were found, and the capercaillie was also observed.
The wood-wren and willow-wren were also seen on this island,
the latter considerably outnumbering the former. At _ this
excursion a full list of the Diptera observed on all three islands
was compiled by members of the entomological section, and is
here given as a contribution to the insect-fauna of the Loch
Lomond islands.

Dixa (sp.?) Inchmoan.

Limnobia nubeculosa, Mg. Inchconnachan.

Dicranomyia chorea, Mg. Inchconnachan.

Rhypholophus similis, Staeg. Inchconnachan and Inchtavannach.

R. hemorrhoidalis, Ztt. Inchtavannach.

Empeda nubila, Schum. Inchmoan.

Erioptera trivialis, Mg. Inchmoan.

Idioptera pulchella, Mg. Inchconnachan, Inchtavannach, and
Inchmoan.

Limnophila Meigenii, Ver. Inchtavannach and Inchmoan.

L. lineolella, Ver. Inchtavannach.

L. bicolor, Mg. Inchmoan.

L. nemoralis, Mg. Inchconnachan and Inchtavannach.

Anisomera vittata, Mg. Inchmoan.

Amalopis immaculata, Mg. Inchconnachan, Inchtavannach, and
Inchmoan.

Pedicia rivosa, L. Inchconnachan.

Dolichopeza sylvicola, Curt. Inchconnachan and Inchtavannach.

Tipula longicornis, Schum. Inchconnachan.

T. scripta, Mg. Inchtavannach.

T. lateralis, Mg. Inchtavannach and Inchmoan.

Melanostoma mellinum, L. Inchconnachan and Inchtavannach.

M. scalare, Fab. Inchtavannach.

Syrphus tricinctus, Flu. Inchconnachan.

S. bifasciatus, Fab. Inchconnachan.

Inchlonaig, the yew-tree island, received a fresh visit on 30th
June, 1900, but as the party were treated during the whole time
to a heavy downpour of rain, nothing was observed beyond what

32 DUMBARTONSHIRE EXCURSIONS.

is already recorded as a result of the first excursion to the island
in 1888 (see report in Vol. I.).

Inchmurrin, the largest and most southerly of the Loch
Lomond islands, was visited on 19th June, 1897. A number of
fallow deer (Cervus dama, Z) occur on the island, but are not in
a feral state, being provided with artificial shelters in several places,
and also partially hand-fed. A number of well grown oak
trees are found in various places, two of which were measured :
one about the centre of the island was found to be 15 ft. 4 ins. in
girth at 3 ft. north-west, and another at the north end was 18 ft.
at 2 ft. east. Two or three families of redstarts were observed,
and a nest of the lesser black-backed gull was seen, the latter
species having been reported as breeding here for two or three
years previously, apparently driven from Inchmoan.

VIIL.—ARROCHAR DISTRICT.

The earlier visits of the Society to the mountains which surround
the head of Loch Long, with the village of Arrochar as a centre
and starting point, have already been fully described in the
article upon excursions to Lochlomondside in Vol. I. The
subsequent visits to points in the Arrochar districts lying within
the boundary of Dumbartonshire, have been three in number,
namely, 18th July, 1896, 5th August, 1899, and 8th April, rgor.

The first of these occasions was during the Glasgow Fair
holidays, when a small party of members visited Arrochar and
remained over the week-end, the principal objective being, however,
in the neighbouring county of Argyll. The weather prevailing
being very unsettled, little work was done within the boundaries
of the county now being considered, and nothing of interest falls
to be recorded. The magnificent ash-tree in front of the
Temperance Hotel again commanded the admiration of the party.
Particulars regarding the dimensions of this fine tree are given in
the former account already referred to.

On the second occasion mentioned the party ascended the hill
of Cruach-Tairbeirt, behind Arrochar village. This low eminence,
1364 ft. in altitude, although surrounded by high mountains,
nevertheless commands one of the finest views in the district,
owing to its peculiarly advantageous position, the summit being in
line with the opening of the Loch Sloy valley (the lake itself

DUMBARTONSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 33

being just visible), and also commanding the full length of Loch
Lomond. On the occasion of the Society’s visit, although the day
was fine, a dense white mist obscured the view of the surrounding
mountains, but the beauty of the landscape was still sufficiently
evident. The yellow mountain saxifrage (Saxifraga aizoides, L.)
was seen on the banks of the streams in fine bloom, and other
plants of interest observed were the rose-root (Sedum Rhodiola,
L.), the stone bramble (Rubus saxatilis, Z.), and the lesser
club-moss (Selaginella selaginoides, Gr.).

On 8th April, tg01—the Glasgow Spring holiday—an excursion
to Ardlui (head of Loch Lomond) was arranged with the object of
ascending Ben Vorlich. Rain falling heavily throughout the day,
the greater number of the party abandoned the idea of making the
ascent. Six members, however, attempted the mountain, three of
whom succeeded in reaching a small cairn at an altitude of 2,600
ft., at which point the further ascent was abandoned. Snow was
encountered at an altitude of about 1,500 ft., all above that limit
being covered to a considerable depth, rendering the search for
alpine plants impossible. ‘The wind was very high, and the snow
was being driven in great clouds, rendering progress difficult.
Owing to the heavy rain the streams were all in flood, and the
numerous waterfalls in the district were seen to great advantage.
The rocks and banks on the lower slopes of the mountain, and
especially the wooded glen of the stream above Stuckindroin, were
found to yield a rich moss-flora. Particularly striking were the
great quantities of the beautiful Aypuum Crista-castrensis, L.
The filmy fern (Aymenophyllum Wiéilsoni) was found very
abundant. Specimens of the rare fungus, Dedalia quercina, were
found in the woods below Ardlui.

MAP
OF oe Qunragit

TORRS WARREN

3/an ey Kirk

Nore. _
& Sites of BlOOMeErIES &
Old Antiquity Area 77" Y
Newer Antiquity (. Extension 7)
re f Are3s
No Anriqguites on the Parl
Ne€xf 1/1e S€3
A. Bloomery Jwyere

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TORRS WARREN.

By JouHN SMITH.

(Read 209th January, 1903.)

THE Torrs Warren extends from near Sandhead in Wigtonshire
to near the Piltanton Burn, a distance of about six miles; is
bounded on the south-east by Luce Bay, and on the north-west,
roughly speaking, by the Sandhead road, as far as the Mid Torrs
Cottage. It is narrow at both ends and widest towards the
middle, where it will be about a mile and a half across. The
geological formations of the Torrs are the raised beach and the
fEolian deposits, or sand dunes. The raised beach consists of
an under division of very well-rolled pebbles, mostly of the grey-
wacke rocks of the neighbourhood ; but also of occasional stones
of granite, quartzite, porphyrite, etc., a lot of Ailsa rock being
present mostly as small rolled pebbles. This gravel has been
thrown into low ridges, which are often seen in the hollows of the
Torrs, running parallel to one another, and being lost to sight under
the sand. This part of the raised beach beds cannot be many feet
above sea-level, but is always best exposed the further it is from
the sea. Above the gravel lies a deposit of stratified sea sand, which
at its thickest part is about thirty feet, and it evidently extended
at one time over the whole area of the old antiquarian ground.
It is from the deformation by the wind of this part of the old
beach that the material of a certain part of the dunes has been
derived. Only a few outlying remnants of the sand bed are now
to be seen, and any fossils they may have contained have dis-
appeared, as is frequently the case with the fossils of this beach.
The Torrs (hillocks) are naturally divided into two sets, those
derived from the raised beach sands, and those from the sand
blown up from the recent shore. Outside of the Torrs area the
older raised beaches of the district are seen at much higher levels,
as near Dunragit, and during that period the Irish Sea extended
to the foot of the hills, the Rhinns of Galloway having then been
an island.

36 TORRS WARREN.

Between the Torrs and Loch Ryan there is a low strath—a
geological depression—as old possibly as Permian times (at
least a strip of that formation exists along the west side of the
loch, and in all likelihood extends under the Torrs, and may
continue to a junction with the carboniferous rocks of Cumberland),
and from the bits of coal got in the Torrs sands, this is rendered
all the more likely. There are sand ridges in the Torrs parallel
or nearly so to the present shore line, but some of them a mile
from it, and even on the north border of the old sand hills there
are remnants of ridges; and one would think that they ought to
have been destroyed long ago. I offer the following suggestion
as to the reason why ridges of sand may retain their original shape
for a long time :—These ridges, I believe, having been originally
along a shore line, when the wind blows sand up from the beach
it also blows a lot of small shells and shell fragments, with
immense quantities of ostracods and foraminifera, along with it,
as well as bits of seaweed. This is shortly all bound together by
the roots and stems of the marrum ; and although the shells may
rot away by the percolation of acidulated water, the lime some-
times gets deposited amongst the sand and will, no doubt, remain
so, at least fora time. The ridges by and by get covered bya
variety of plants, especially by the heaths, heather, brackens, silky
willow, various grasses and flowering plants, including myriads of
violets. They are now so firmly netted by plant roots that nothing
but mechanical means, such as the burrowing of rabbits, of the
repeated passage of cattle or carts over certain parts, will allow the
wind to get into them, and when it does so it is difficult to stay
its progress. Once it gets into a rabbit hole it soon scoops out a
hollow, it may be from five to six feet in depth, sometimes in the
shape of a nearly circular crater. The vegetation hangs dangling
on the edge of the hole and gets so dried up that when it breaks
off and slides down the slope it is generally quite dead, and seldom
takes root again. These sand holes often increase to a great size,
and sometimes get completely covered with vegetation. This is
effected in the following way:—JIn very dry summers the wind
scoops out the sand from the bottoms of the holes, and if these
dry seasons are followed by wet ones, the sand in the bottoms of
the holes becomes permanently damp, and seeds of plants blown
into them take root. Once they gain a footing in the bottom of

TORRS WARREN. 37

a hollow they are able to hold their own against the wind, as there
is now no undermining going on to dry up and wither them.
They now keep creeping up the sides of the hollow till it becomes
completely covered by vegetation, at the same time the bottom
of it is being gradually filled with sand drifted from its sides,
till what was once a hollow, with two or three feet of water
in it during the winter months, may become permanently dry
all the year round, and if there is no drifting sand near it, it
may remain in this state for a considerable period—a paradise
for sheep.

Some of the dunes will, I daresay, rise to about a hundred feet
above sea-level, and they are quite as high on the more recent
parts as they are on any bit of the raised beach area.

The oldest antiquity ground of the Torrs is confined to the
raised beach, which may, at its highest part, be forty feet above sea-
level, and this is a strong argument in favour of the land having
risen several feet since that antiquarian period: the same
conditions obtain in Ayrshire.

The newer antiquities may, of course, extend over any part of
the old ground, but they are also got outside of it—a little nearer
the sea, there being an irregular belt next the sea where no
antiquities of any description are found ; and this is the same in
all the very low patches of beach land in the south-west of
Scotland, such as those bits north of Ballantrae and Girvan,
as well as that from the Heads of Ayr to Saltcoats, which
contain no antiquities nor even chips of flint. The sketch map
will give an indication of the respective positions of the different
areas.

The old antiquity area occupies large parts of Mid Torrs, High
Torrs, and Clachshiant (Clayshant); the newer antiquity (extension)
areas occurring as small detached parts on Laigh Torrs and Mid
Torrs.

On the higher land, some distance outside of the Torrs, a lot
of antiquities have also been got.

To save repetition, the two antiquity areas of the Torrs will be
called the old ground, and the new ground.

The old ground presents us with several dark bands, sometimes
four, these being evidently old land surfaces, and they have been
successively occupied by the people who left the antiques. Some

38 TORRS WARREN.

of these surfaces reach to four feet in thickness. Figures 1 and 2
will give an idea of the irregular manner in which the old surfaces or
earth-bands occur, showing that originally they had covered ridges
or hillocks of blown sand or deformed raised beach. In Ayrshire
the old earth-bands sometimes occur on the nearly level surfaces
of the old beaches ; but I have not detected any of these in the
Torrs, their absence being, doubtless, for the reason that during

Figure I

Figure IL.

the upheaval of the land there was always sand being blown up
from the beach.

Figures 1 and 2 show the old soil-bands in which the o/der
antiquities occur ; a, b, c, d, and a, b,c, are the old soil-bands.
Figure 1 section is forty feet high, Figure 2 section, sixty feet high.

The older articles, so far as I know, occur only in or near the
surface of the soil-bands, none having been yet got in the beach

TORRS WARREN. 39

beds; and in Ayrshire it is much the same, with one notable
exception, a well-made hollow flint scraper, which I found in the
forty feet beach bed.—(See ‘‘ Prehistoric Man in Ayrshire,” p. 123.)

No paleolithic articles have been got in the Torrs, and from
my point of view it is not likely they will ever be found in
Scotland, unless it be in connection with the Mammoth Bed
under the drift. On the old ground no mud floors, so far as I
can learn, have been detected, but a few remnants of turf walls,
and, occasionally, but rarely, small bits of pavement laid with
water-worn stones have been blown bare; but it does not seem to
have been a practice for the old people to have had their
dwellings often floored with anything of a durable nature.

On the new ground, towards the east, there are at present
several remnants of mud floors to be seen, but in a short time
they will likely get blown away. We do not know, of course, how
these floors were laid, but an old man once informed me that he
had seen mud floors made in the following way. The tempered
clay was rubbed over with a flat bit of wood, often dipped in
water, till the floor was smooth and level. It was then left till it
was perfectly dry, when its surface was soaked with the blood of a
newly-killed pig, and he maintained that by this method a
good and durable floor was made.

In many places on the Mid and High Torrs, as well as on
Clachshiant, there are great quantities of broken stones, mostly
now covering knolls or parts which they have protected from
being blown away, and these are often more than a hundred feet
in diameter. Broken stones, as well as ancient articles, are also
seen sliding down the sides of sand dunes when the sand is
being removed by the wind. They come from the old, once
occupied, surfaces, which have been long covered by blown sand.
The stones may have been broken in different ways, but mostly it
is supposed by having been heated to redness and put in water
for the purpose of warming it. “Tea” may have been “ masked ”
in this way, and was probably made from agrimony, rue, wood-
avens, yarrow, mint, etc., the use of which is not yet entirely
given up. It is not uncommon to see many of the heating stones
with bits burst or started from their sides which no blow could
have detached. The immense number of the stones on the Torrs
is a sort of index pointing to a lengthened occupation of the area

40 TORRS WARREN.

by man, the stones having all been placed there by him. A dry
sandy surface, thickly covered with stones, prevents vegetation
from growing. This is contrary to what might have been expected.
I once removed a lot of stones from a small area of sand,
expecting the wind would lay bare something good, but to my
astonishment this bit became covered with plants, and has
remained so ever since. Stones get almost too hot when the sun
shines strongly for one to hold his hand on them, and where they
occur plentifully on the sand seedlings get scorched. Broken
stones are always accompanied by worked flints and hand-made
pottery, and they do not occur, to any extent at least, on the
new ground. ‘They occupy the old surfaces, one above another,
and separated by greater or lesser thickness of blown sand, and
reaching from an inch to several feet in thickness. In these
surfaces they are sometimes crowded closely together, but often
they occur at intervals. The older these surfaces are the older, of
course, the articles found in them; but it by no means follows that
the antiques got in any particular surface on soil-layer are
contemporaneous. At the present time, for instance, we see the
articles from, it may be, several dark layers (old surfaces) all
reduced to a common level by the blowing away of the sand.
This must have occurred before, and not only that, but as the old
people were constantly on the look-out for flint-nodules (from
which to make arrow-points, scrapers, etc.), quartzite and other
pebbles (for hammers, anvils, polishers, etc.), and any kind of
pebbles for heating and roasting stones, they, with the exception
of the first settlers, would constantly be finding articles, some of
them perhaps pretty old, which would be left along with those
lying on the ground then being occupied. From this it will be
seen that the study of these old land surfaces and the articles they
contain is a very complicated and perplexing one, and he would
be a very self-confident individual who should “ pronounce”
with certainty on the relative age of any articles from the ever-
shifting sands of Torrs Warren ; the best he can do being to make
faithful records of what he finds.

Darwin in his Voyage tells us that the South American Indians
make fires of bones gathered from the land, and he was surprised
at the amount of heat those fires gave out. I have seen numerous
accumulations, both on the Torrs, and in Ayrshire, of burnt bones.

a

TORRS WARREN. 41

They are often ascribed to human cremations, but I have never
yet seen a human tooth amongst any of them, so that they are
more likely just to have been fires of animal bones and are often
mixed with wood-charcoal.

The Torrs are exceedingly rich in worked flints, and there will
probably be ten times the number (and this applies to other
antiques as well) yet to find compared with what has been
already found. The arrow points got here are the triangular, the
stemmed and barbed, the hollow-based (sometimes lop-sided), the
leaf, and the lozenge; the last two forms being the most common.
A few of the arrow-points are very neatly serrated along the edges,
and as arule they are worked along both sides and edges. Arrow-
heads—when their points had been broken in hunting or in war—
were evidently often re-trimmed, at least short and stumpy ones
are got, which seem to bear out this notion. Scrapers are
abundant: at one traverse from a small area I got about fifty,
and one of the old rabbit trappers informed me that he once
found sixty scrapers built into the form of a cone nine inches
high. They were mixed with struck-flakes, and a hole must have
been made for their reception, as a cone of “flints” could not
possibly have stood till it was naturally covered by blown sand,
unless, of course, it may have been under the protection of a hut.
The most common form of scraper is the danguette de chatte, often
astonishing for its small size, some of this type in Ayrshire being
much smaller than a finger-nail. Scrapers are peculiar in having
the bulb of percussion on the under side, that is to say, the
chipping has taken place on the convex side, and this has given
them a much sharper edge than had they been trimmed on the
opposite side, although I have seen an odd one done that way.
Then come the duck-bill, pointed, spokeshave, and hollow, the
last apparently used for making arrow-shafts, bone needles, etc.
Very narrow flints are got which were probably used as teeth for
hackles, and this suggestion is strengthened by the fact that
generally a lot of them are got close together as if they had fallen
out of a fixing, or handle of bone or wood. On Mid Torrs I once
picked up six lying quite close together, and expected to get more,
but a sudden change of wind covered the place with sand. Very
delicately sharp-pointed flints are occasionally got, and have
probably been used as tatooers or lancets. Borers, drills (both

42 TORRS WARREN.

right and left-handed), saws (some of them beautifully made),
knives, trimmed-flakes, etc., and even the comparatively recent
gun flints, are got. The latter are rare in Ayrshire; for instance,
they probably do not average above one to five thousand of the old
flints. Strike-a-lights, burnt flints, and cores, from which flakes
were struck, are also found. The Torrs flint is generally of a grey
colour, but occasionally some of it is reddish, yellowish, or pretty
dark ; and nodules of the flint occur in the raised beach sands
and gravels. Small bits of Irish chalk (limestone) are rare—
similar bits having been got in Ayrshire. Pitchstone of a dark
colour is rarely got in a “worked” state; this substance is also
got in the antiquarian area of the drifting sands in Ayrshire, but »
no pitchstone is known to occur in the rocks of the south-west of
Scotland ; of course it is plentiful in Arran, but for my part I
have never found im sf the particular quality that is got on the
antiquarian ground of Wigton and Ayrshire sands, Also, the
so-called flaker, evidently a flint tool much used in shaping the
flint articles, is got occasionally. In the south-west of Scotland
I do not know of any undoubted instances of polished flints having
been found. Two specimens are known, but from their appear-
ance it makes it difficult for one to accept them as “native.”
Rubbed bits of hzematite occur, and it was probably used as a
pigment. Flint in the Torrs is much more abundant than in
Ayrshire, and in the old fleerish-days the Torrs was a “quarry”
supplying a large part of the south-west of Scotland with strike-a-
light flint, and from my point of view this is to be accounted for
by the former locality being much nearer the source of supply—
the Antrim flint-bearing chalk—than the latter. It has been
suggested that the flint may have been brought from the Irish
coast by floating ice, or even by man, but these theories do not
work out, as large bits would have been brought by these means
as well as small bits. All the flint nodules and the made “flints”
are small, and as I suggested in 1879 (see Zrans. Geol. Soc.,
Glasgow, Vol. VI., p. 185), the nodules are more likely to have
been brought attached to seaweeds.

There is another substance, probably also from Antrim, that is,
pumice, which is got both at the Torrs and in Ayrshire. (See
Trans. Geol. Soc., Glasgow, Vol. X-, p. 340.) Portlock, in his
History of Londonderry, says that pumice occurs 7” sifu in the

TORRS WARREN. 43

cliffs near the Giant’s Causeway. So far as I know, only one
article made from this Irish pumice has been got. I found it on
old ground on the Mid Torrs, and it looks as if it had been used
for playing at some kind of game.

Articles other than those made of flint, or the various stones
used as hammers, are rather scarce, and mostly confined to stone
whorls and beads. I only know of one stone brace having been
got—on Mid Torrs.

I know of no substance having been obtained used for fixing
implements, etc., into handles or shafts, but in Ayrshire I once
picked up a bit of material which may have been a remnant of
some kind of fixing stuff. It looked so, having been prepared
from some kind of resin or gum. The only kind of native resin
we have is from pine trees, then probably only represented by the
Scots pine ; and gum exudes plentifully from the gean.

Some very fine beads have been got on the Torrs, but they are
rather rare. A few are of amber, and it may have been brought
from the east coast. At least, I know of no native amber as
occurring in the south-west of Scotland. Yellow, three-lobed
glass beads, with blue bands; triangular plain glass, with yellow
bands ; plain blue, green, and pink glass; yellow, vitreous paste ;
and green paste (some of them star- or beaded shaped) occur; and
a few have been made of volcanic ash.

On a spot on Clachshiant very old window glass is to be got;
weathering having brought out a peculiar structure which shows
like successive bands of lamination—a sort of rhyolitic structure,
probably given to it during its casting by having been run on toa
flat plate. It has also got the rainbow colours commonly seen on
old glass. I have found a somewhat similar glass in the refuse
heap of an old Ayrshire castle. Neither of these glasses have
been cut by a diamond, but are neatly chipped along the
edge.

The so-called “jet” of the Scottish antiquarian is probably in
no case real jet, but cannel, parrot, or gas coal, sometimes oil
shale, from the carboniferous formation. The articles which
have been most commonly made from these substances are
bracelets, rings, beads, pendants, and discs, sometimes with a
little ornamentation. The discs are both plain and perforated ;
the latter form being sometimes exceedingly rough objects, for

44 TORRS WARREN.

which it is difficult to conceive a use. (See Zrans. Geol. Soc.,
Glasgow, Vol. VI., p. 185.)

Hammer stones are frequently got, the favourite material having
been well-shaped oval pebbles of quartzite, as combining in itself
the useful properties of great hardness and toughness ; but quartz,
granite, Ailsa rock, greywacke in its varieties, greenstone, etc.,
have been used. Some of these hammers have been trimmed till
a sharp ridge, generally at the end or ends of a pebble, has been
formed, and as this ridge (which sometimes passes obliquely over
the end or even right across) seldom has a chip broken from it, it
shows that the ridge must have been of prime importance for
certain kinds of work, and also how carefully the hammers had
been used. Other hammers had been sorely battered at the ends,
and some on all the sides.. The finger and thumb hammers have
a neatly-made hole on each side, generally of a flat, sometimes
roundish, pebble. In fact, pebbles of any shape, from the oval-
flat-compressed to the nearly globular, have been made use of as
hammers. It is quite common to see stones very suitable for
using as hammers, and yet they show no marks of usage: they
were probably kept in stock, and are frequently got where flint
chips and iron slag abound.

Sling stones are scarce, but suitable pebbles would, of course,
be oftenest used as sling stones; but I refer to stones—often flint
—which had been trimmed.

A few perforated hammer axes have been found.

All kinds of stones have been used as anvils, which are easily
recognised by their battered surfaces, and were probably always
used when flakes of flint were being struck off.

Urns of different shapes, and ornamented in a variety of
patterns, have been obtained from the Torrs, and probably belong
for the most part to the ‘Bronze Age,” bronze articles having
been found in some of them. I was informed by one of the
trappers that he had seen an urn with the bones in it reduced to
particles about the size of barley, and he suggested that they were
the remains of the cremated bones of a child. Those who are in
the habit of searching for “antiques” soon learn to know the
spots where urns may be lying. When the wind blows an old
surface bare this surface is always of a dark colour, but if there is
a gray patch on it an urn will probably be found in such a spot.

a

aa,

ne oy td

TORRS WARREN. 45

This shows that a hole had been dug, in which the urn had been
placed ; but urns appear also to have been laid on the surface of
the ground, and a mound raised over them. There are also
places where urns have been kept in stock, but there are no
guiding marks to these spots. I dug for several days at a place
on the High Torrs, five hundred yards north-west of the steading,
where there were many fragments of urns. They had belonged
to several types, all hand-made and ornamented, and as there were
no burnt bones in connection with them, the place had probably
been used as a store, and the fragments had likely belonged to
“wasters,” accidentally broken or badly fired, as the “paste” of
some was quite soft, and crumbled easily between the fingers. I
found little else here but urn fragments. A hammer stone turned
up which had been much worked with, but only at one end. I
have seen many fragments of hand-made pottery which had
probably been buried full of food, as, crusting the inside surfaces,
there is a thin layer of a carbonized substance. They may, of
course, have been used for preparing food or “‘ masking tea,” and
had never been cleaned. On the Ayrshire sands I have also
found places where urns had apparently been kept in store.
Favourite places for the burial of urns have been the summits and
sides of sand ridges and dunes. Stamps, probably made of a
perishable material, as wood or bone, appear to have been used
in ornamenting urns. I dug up a large part of one which had
been ornamented by a stamp, and the ornamentation carried from
the top of the rim all over the sides and bottom. There is a
popular belief that these old hand-made urns, etc., were finished
by being simply sun-dried. There never was a greater mistake.
They have been all certainly burned, and their elegant shapes,
when we consider that they had been hand-made, show that
urn-making was a trade carried on by skilled workmen. The
tempering of the clay for them had been also particularly well
attended to, and I have found fragments which show that it had
sometimes been mixed with grass or broken bits of quartz, etc.
Medizval pottery, both glazed and unglazed, is not infrequently
got, and extends on to the new ground; it has all been made on
the wheel. Stone axes are by no means frequently found on the
Torrs. I dug at the west end of the beach, about eight hundred
yards west north-west of High Torrs steading, where much broken

46 TORRS WARREN.

flint is lying on bare sand. Here I got some bits of a polished
axe of fine grained felstone. Perhaps the majority of British
“celts” have been made of this substance, and yet no rock has
been found in the British Isles which could have supplied the
material. This dark layer had certainly never been laid bare to
the weather since the axe-fragments were first covered up, as the
fine polishing and minute scratches were still quite apparent on its
surface, and the edge remarkably sharp. Along with it were a
flint skinning knife, a hollow scraper, some ordinary scrapers,
plain hand-made pottery fragments, and abundance of broken
stones and flint chips. I worked for several days at this of-old
inhabited surface, which had at one time been covered deep in
blown sand, and found no other kind of articles than those
mentioned, but the searcher may dig for a long time at certain
favourable-looking spots without getting any antiquarian reward at
all, and fails by not continuing his efforts long enough, for the
antiques are sometimes thinly scattered. The wind, of course, is
the great searcher-out of these old articles, and it is only he who
has the time and opportunity to follow where it lays bare that can
expect to reap the harvest of the wind.

Rubbers, whetstones, and polishers are frequent, the polishers,
in fact, abundant, and burnishers are occasionally got. I know of
no polished flint article having ever been found on the Torrs (or
in Ayrshire), with the exception of the doubtful natives already
mentioned, so that articles of this description got here have
probably been used for rubbing and polishing stone, beads and
whorls, “celts” or hammer-axes, etc., or for bronze or iron
articles. It is not uncommon to find stones which had been
utilized as combined hammers and polishers.

Needle-sharpeners, or at least stones used for giving a finished
sharp point to articles, are not uncommon ; and grooved stones,
which had evidently been used in forming the outside curves of
coal bracelets and rings, rarely occur.

Pins of bronze, with riveted-on and twisted-wire heads, are not
unfrequent, and perhaps commonest at the Laigh Torrs huts. I
have picked up a score of them mostly on the new ground.
They are also frequent at the “ Roman Camp” on new ground ;
it appears to mark the boundary of the antiquarian area in that
direction. Bronze articles are frequently got; and I have a very

.
pe Sen
a

en a lt ne,

BS sey he on ri =

Ee es

= ose Sante

——

TORRS WARREN. 47

beautifully ornamented bracelet of copper from High Torrs.
The trappers inform me that the part most prolific in ‘“‘ bronze” is
that on either side of the march fence between Clachshiant and
High Torrs. Rings have been got; one said to be inscribed with
runes has gone out of the country, but it is to be hoped it will find
its way back ; penanular rings or brooches, low-shaped fibulee, fish
hooks, buckles, buttons (I have one from new ground with the
name of a London firm on it), pendants, keys, needles, mountings,
paper fasteners, etc.

Melting pots, probably mostly used for bronze and lead, are
rarely got. I have seen in Ayrshire particles of gold sticking to a
fragment of a crucible. Archzologically the word “bronze” is
used as a sort of generic term: many of the articles may be of
brass, copper, or “mixed metal.” Iron articles are sometimes
found coated with “bronze”; and bronze articles inlaid with
* nielo” and silver have been found.

Scraps of lead are frequent, especially on the new ground,
and occasionally whorls, bullets, etc., of it are got.

On a flat part of the Torrs, not far from Horse Hill, there was
blown bare some fourteen years ago, a part where a burial mound
had been raised over an interment. I saw it at the time when it
was still fresh and the place dry and level, but it is now occupied
by a water hole. This mound had been covered to a certain
extent by water-worn stones, and when it was blown away the
stones were left as a ring on the sand. This ring was ten paces
in diameter and six feet broad, but has since been much destroyed
by people searching for articles in it; a large proportion of the
stones were white quartz. In the centre of it, when I saw it first,
there was a lot of calcined bones, and the trapper took two urns
from it which are now in the museum at Edinburgh. The urns,
strange to say, were not got in the centre of the ring, but in the
part now covered by the stones, so that this interment had pro-
bably taken place in a ring mound.

Five hundred yards south of Mid Torrs steading there is a lot
of light coloured stones which probably had been connected
with an interment; many broken stones are lying round about-
them. ’

In an urn from Mid Torrs there was got a bronze dagger, a
polisher, and four white quartz pebbles. I have seen an Ayrshire

48 TORRS WARREN.

urn emptied of its calcined bones, but no articles of any descrip-
tion were got in it, so that it does not seem to have been a constant
practice to place some favourite article in an urn. Some fourteen
urns were recently found (1906) in a cairn on the Ardeer sands,
Ayrshire ; a number of them contained white quartz pebbles, but
only one held articles of human make—three beads and bits of
gold leaf.

I unearthed on the Laigh Torrs, not far from the huts, a very
fine under quern stone, the “sitter” of grey granite, which would
weigh about two cwts. Its grinding surface slopes gently from
the centre towards the circumference, there being a boss in the
middle with a shallow-spindle socket penetrating it. At the huts
I found a fragment of an upper quern stone which appeared to
fit the one described ; and a few other quern stones have been got
on the Torrs. But saddle-querns or grain-rubbers rarely turn up.
At High Torrs steading there is a large and very fine granite
clachnotin, or barley-mill.

I have counted eleven places, ‘‘ Bloomeries”, where iron has
been manufactured on the Torrs, easily known from the heavy
black slag lying about; and the remains of hearths, with bits of
their fire-clay lining.

Some of those now on low and flooded ground may originally
have been higher; but others are still at their original level, with
the burnt fire-clay still resting on a layer of soft clay, showing
that they had not been lowered by the blowing away of the sand.

Iron is not unfrequent, but the articles which have been made
from it are generally in a very unsatisfactory state of preservation,
all that one gets being often a mass of sand-crusted rust. Still, there
is sometimes enough of the original shapes left to show that the old
iron-workers of the Torrs were not devoid of artistic taste, and as no
iron hammer-heads have been got on the Torrs (nor in Ayrshire),
they probably used the hammer-stones as hammers for their iron
work. The late Mr. Edward Carrick, of Dalry, in Ayrshire,
Inspector of Mines in Rhodesia, South Africa, sent home some
articles in iron which he had seen the natives fashion with stone
hammers, and they are really very good bits of workmanship.
Even some of the iron objects got on the Torrs had been coated
with bronze. Recognisable iron articles comprise—arrow or fish-
spear heads, knife-blades, rings, spring clip-shears, keys, etc. On

TORRS WARREN. 49

the zew ground I have collected what may have been the rivets
of a shield. Of course, we must always remain in the dark, or
nearly so, as to the articles which may have been imported, but
when we know that these old people had at least eleven “ iron-
works ” (and very likely several times that number), it is most likely
that all the iron articles recovered are native to the place; and
at the period when these works were in “ full swing” it may have
been the “ black country” of the south of Scotland.

A few tobacco pipes, elf pipes of the old small-headed type,
with the boll removed at but a small angle from the line of the
stem, have been got mostly on the new ground ; any of them I have
seen are dirty grey in colour. No stone pipes—such as those got
in America—have, so far as I know, been found on the Torrs or
in Scotland. Before the introduction of tobacco, sphagnum was
the “‘weed” used for smoking, and “‘dishalage” (Zusst/ago Farfara)
is still smoked by people who have got a “sitten-doon caul.”

I think I am within the mark when I say that at least three
hundred coins have been got on the Torrs, but, so far as I can
learn, none of them are Roman, the oldest being Anglo-Saxon
Styca, and probably of the eighth or ninth century. A spot
prolific in coins occurs on Clachshiant, and another on Laigh
Torrs on the new ground at the huts. The last-named site, where
some mud floors have been laid bare and are at present to be
seen, has furnished a great variety of articles, especially fragments
of pottery, some of very elegant designs and even hand-painted ;
complete glass bottles of large size are said at one time to have
been common, and “bronze” and iron articles abundant ; sleeve
links have been got, and I have one showing a minute and
beautiful design in enamelled work. The pottery got here,
although having a somewhat recent look and so apt to be passed
over by the young archzologist, is very much rarer than the old
hand-made pottery and urns of the old ground ; in Ayrshire, after
thirty-one years’ search, I have seen not more than half-a-dozen
fragments belonging to this particular type, which consists of a
considerable number of varieties. From its somewhat recent look
it seems to be “tabooed” from museums. The articles got at the
huts are likely to be several hundred years old (probably none of
them are less than two hundred years old), and in the district there
is no tradition as to houses ever having been here. The people

D

50 TORRS WARREN.

who inhabited this site had probably been obliged to quit it ina
hurry, leaving everything behind them, and never returned ;
perhaps it was suddenly overwhelmed with sand.

There are but few names of localities on the Torrs. On the old
antiquity ground we have High and Mid Torrs ; Knock Slide, five
hundred yards south-east of Mid Torrs steading, a good locality ;
Clachshiant, and the site of a traditional church, said to be the
original Clachshiant (the saint’s grave); it looks like part of an old
earthwork fort. There are also the remnants of the turf walls of
what is thought to have been another church (near the Genoch)
on Mid Torrs ; Horse Hill, already mentioned, must be nearer the
boundary of the old antiquity ground on its east side. Knock
Slide must have been a hillock when first named, but it is at
present a “howling waste” of drifting sand. On the new
antiquity ground there 1s the ‘‘ Roman Camp,” most likely quite a
recent fanciful name, as no Roman antiquities have been got on
the Torrs. The Laigh Torrs Huts is evidently quite a recent
name. Outside of the antiquity ground and nearer the sea, we
have Lodanree (the grave of the king), half a mile south of Laigh
Torrs steading ; Lodanmore, west of Lodanree ; Wee Lodanmore,
five hundred yards west-south-west of Lodanmore ; Knock Allan,
between Lodanmore and Wee Lodanmore; Fleckit Hill, five
hundred yards west of Lodanmore; and the Minix, now a water
hole surrounded by steep banks, one mile west of Laigh Torrs
steading. The Lanes is a low grassy part of the Torrs, with slight
ridges parallel to the coast line, and during winter a large part of
it is covered by water. It extends for a long distance, and
separates the sand dunes of the shore from those of the raised
beach at the part where it occurs. The Lane Pad is a footpath
over the sands known only to those in the neighbourhood, and
extends from Mid Torrs to the Lanes. It will be seen from this
that the Torrs’ names are mostly of Geelic origin.

I know of no undoubted remains of old forts having been
discovered on the Torrs; the so-called ‘‘church” on Clachshiant
is the only remnant of what may have been a fort.

Shell mounds appear to be entirely absent, and this is strange
considering how rich the beach is now in solons and cockles ;
pretty large oyster shells are often brought ashore by the waves,
and Cypria is sometimes seen, a good edible species and common

TORRS WARREN. 5r

in the shell mounds of the north of Ireland, which are being accum-
ulated even at the present time. An occasional much-decayed
bone may be laid bare, but I know of no accumulations of bones,
nor of any articles having been got made of bone, horn, wood, or
leather. Gold articles appear to be absent as well as silver ones,
with the exception of coins and some “‘inlaying” in that metal.

At page 88 of the Catalogue of the National Museum of
Antiquities of Scotland occurs the following :—‘ The close cor-
respondence in general character of the two collections, from
Glenluce Sands [Torrs Warren] in the south-west and from the
Culbin Sands in the north-east of Scotland, is very remarkable,
but the differences in detail are even more striking.” Doubtless
the ‘‘differences” might be less so, had everything got at these
two famous localities found its way into the museum, and it is to
be hoped they yet may.

The Torrs Warren compares almost item for item with Ayrshire
in the matter of hammer stones, polishers, worked flints, and stone
whorls ; gas coal articles are commoner in Ayrshire. There are,
perhaps, as many “urn” fragments in Ayrshire as in the Torrs,
but they seldom show any ornamentation; green-glazed wheel-
made pottery is equally common at both places. The ew
ground pottery, which might be called the Huts Pottery, is all but
absent in Ayrshire; but in other antiques the Ayrshire sands are
comparatively barren compared with those of the Torrs, the number
of bits of coins, for instance, got in Ayrshire may be counted on
the fingers, the oldest one I have found on the sands of the latter
place being an Arabic coin of the ninth century.

The sands of the Torrs are said to be moving at a greater rate
at the present time than they were formerly, and certainly one
sees a large area of vegetation being covered by blown sand.
This is ascribed to the loosenings made by rabbits, the wind
_getting entrance at these places—the Torrs for a long time having
been used as a rabbit warren.

The marram (Psamma arenaria) seems to be the sole occasion
of the sand accumulating into high ridges and torrs, and it keeps
on growing where the sand is drifting most plentifully. The sand
sedge (Carex arenaria) is a great binder, its underground stems
extending for several yards, but it does not assist in making
hillocks, as its habitat is in the damp hollows.

52 TORRS WARREN.

Truly the Zorrs Warren is a wonderful place, with its abundant
archeological remains of peoples of past ages; but not a single
inscribed stone has been ‘‘unearthed” to tell us the name or
qualifications of any one of them.

NoteE.—Since the above paper was read to the Society I have
made a great many traverses in the Torrs, and done some digging.
The results of the latter have been to make out what I think are
some new points in Scottish archzeology in connection with the
iron bloomeries. The first was the finding of the twyeres through
which the blast (air) had been supplied to the furnaces. These
twyeres are shaped just like those of a modern blast-furnace
twyere, the only difference being that they are made of fireclay
instead of iron. In size they are about four inches long and three
inches wide, the hole for the passage of the blast being about half
an inch in diameter, and this passage often shows wearing from the
scourer of the blast. The second was the finding of the iron bars
which had been used in the working of the little furnaces. The
actual bars are so rusted that nothing can be made of them ; but
I got bits of the slag which still retain the exact “ print” of the bars,
showing that they had been square and seven-sixteenths of an inch
in thickness. The results of these diggings also showed that
there had been at least two types of bloomeries—one where the
metal had been smelted in fireclay crucibles, and the other where
it had been allowed to accumulate in the “hearths” till a sufficient
quantity was made. Perhaps where the crucibles were used the
process may have been a refining one where the iron or steel was
smelted over again. The shape of the ‘“‘cinder-blocks” is also
worthy of note, they, for the most part, being pretty much like
birds’ nests, and from three to eight inches in diameter—some-
times they are solid. I call them ‘“‘bloomery dottles.” In
Ayrshire, at Shewalton, I once found an ingot of iron which had
evidently been made in the hearth of a bloomery, its shape being
that of a solid cinder-block. It is pretty free from slag and only
required “shingling,” that is, heating and hammering, to make it
into good serviceable material.

I once tried a fireclay twyere on a modern blast furnace, but it
lasted only a short time.

CLYDESDALE. FUNGI.

By R. B. JOHNSTONE.

Since the publication of the previous list of Clydesdale Fungi in
Volume II. of the Annals in 1900, the Society has regularly
made excursions in the autumn to the woods around Glasgow in
the search for fungi, and to the disappointment of the mycologist
there has been on these visits a noticeable scarcity of even the
common species. The seasons have been either very dry, or wet
and cold, with an absence of the warm moist weather so essential
to the growth of fungi.

Notwithstanding the somewhat meagre records, the interest in
the subject has been sustained by the discovery of a few species
rarely, if ever, met with before in this district. Among these may
be mentioned Lepiota Friesit, Flammula inopoda, Lentinus lept-
deus, Trogia crispa, Strobilomyces strobilaceus, Dedalia quercina,
Merulius tremellosus, Mutinus caninus, and Clavaria fistulosa.

The following is a list of the places visited, and the dates (see
Addenda) :—

FINLAYSTONE, LANGBANK, 29th September, 1900.

Capzow Forest, 6th October, 1900; 3rd October, 1903 ; 7th

October, 1905.
Craicton Woop, 13th October, 1900; 11th October, 1902.
CADDER WILDERNESS, 20th October, 1900; 19th October,
Igor ; 21st October, 1905.

CATHKIN Brags, 27th October, 1goo.

LENNOX CASTLE, 28th September, 1go1.

PoLLok Estate, 5th October, 1got.

DoucG.Las SupPporT, ROSEHALL, 27th September, 1902.

ERSKINE Estate, 4th October, 1902.

GARSCUBE EsTATE, 18th October, 1902.

HaAwkHEaD EstTatTE, 17th October, 1903.

Doucaltston EstaTE, 24th September, 1904.

HamiLton Low Parks, 8th October, 1904.

RouxkEeNn GLEN, 15th October, 1904.

West Ferry Woop, LANGBANK, 30th September, 1905.

JOHNSTONE CASTLE, JOHNSTONE, 14th October, 1905.

54 CLYDESDALE FUNGI.

The lists at these excursions were compiled by the writer, with
the exception of those of the micro-fungi, which is the work ot
Mr. D. A. Boyd, of Seamill, West Kilbride, who also kindly
rendered assistance in identifying the larger fungi. Thanks are also
due to Dr. Plowright, King’s Lynn, Norfolk ; Rev. D. Paul, LL.D.,
Edinburgh ; Mr. A. D. Cotton, F.L.S., Kew; Mr. Carleton Rea,
B.C.L., M.A., Secretary of the British Mycological Society; and Mr.
William Stewart, Glasgow, for naming unknown or doubtful species.

The following list comprises species not recorded in Volume II.,
and brings our records up to date. The capital letter in the last
column denotes those not found at these “forays,” but which
have been either noted at the ordinary excursions, or exhibited
at the monthly meetings.

A= Botanic Gardens, Glasgow. G=CEarnock.

eS

B= Ayr. H = Rosneath.
C= Kilwinning. J = Fiddler’s Gill, Braidwood. \
D = Rowardennan. K = Dalry. .

E= West Kilbride. L=Glasgow.
F = Ardlui. 4

The same authorities for the nomenclature has been followed
as in the former list for the Hymenomycetes and Gastromycetes,
and for the micro-fungi the authorities are Saccardo’s Sylloge
Fungorum, Phillips’ Manual of the British Discomycetes, Plowright’s
Monograph of the British Uredinee and Ustilaginee, and Massee’s
British Fungus Flora, Vols. IiI., IV.

hee * ||
:| & #}6/3| |e.
uymenomycetes. || S43 $342 7/2 de 48
; 3/2 /SE(s5/2a)| $13 (Boledlse
Agaricini. O|OP RR Om SF |
LEPIOTA.
AGARICUS FRIESII, Lasch. x
AG. cristatus, A. &S. x
TRICHOLOMA.
AG. RESPLENDENS, Fr. ni me
CLITOCYBE.
AG. NEBULARIS, Batsch. 8 x |x]x
AG. CERUSSATUS, Fr. ... Aa x
COLLYBIA.
AG. MACULATUS, A. & S. wus x

CLYDESDALE FUNGI,

AG. CONIGENUS, Pers. ...
MyceEna.

AG. TUBEROSUS, Bull. ...

AG. RUGOSUS, Fr.

AG. DISSILIENS, Fr.

AG. ALKALINUS, Fr.

AG. AMMONIACUS, Fr. ...

AG. ACICULA, Scheff. ...

AG. HAEMATOPUS, Pers.
OMPHALIA.

AG. ABIEGNUS, B. & Br.

AG. pictus, Bull.

AG. FIBULA, Fr.
PLEUROTUS.

AG. SEROTINUS, Schrad.

AG. APPLICATUS, Batsch.
ENTOLOMA.

AG. NIDOROSUS, Fr.
CLAUDOPUS.

AG. VARIABILIS, Pers. ...
PHOLIOTA.

AG. TERRIGENUS, Fr. ...

AG. TOGULARIS, Bull.
INOCYBE.

AG. LANUGINOSUS, Bull.
HEBELOMA.

AG. CRUSTULINIFORMIS, Bull...

FLAMMULA.
AG. CARBONARIUS, Fr.
AG. INopus, Fr.
NAUCORIA.

AG. SEMI-ORBICULARIS, Bull. ...

GALERA.

AG. TENER, Scheff,
CREPIDOTUS.

AG. CALOLEPIS, Fr.
PSALIOTA.

AG. SILVATICUS, Scheff,

AG, HZMORRHOIDARIUuS,Kalchbr.

AG. ECHINATUS, Roth.

~ | Cadzow.

x

55

| Craigton.

|

x

Cadder

Wilderness.

| Garscube.
| Hawkhead.

ia
Canal
vale
£0) 8m
5 -
x
x
x
x
A
x
|
\
|
K
x
E
A

56 CLYDESDALE FUNGI.

| Cadzow.

HyPHOLOMA.

AG. CAPNOIDES, Fr.

AG. LACRYMABUNDUS, Fr.
PAN-OLUS.

AG. SEPARATUS, Linn. :

AG. FIMIPUTRIS, Bull. ae hee
PSATHYRELLA.

AG. DISSEMINATUS, Pers.
HyGROPHORUS HYPOTHEJUS, Fr.

H. FORNICATUS, Fr.

H. LAEtTus, Fr.

H. CERACEUS, Fr.

H. CALYPTR#FORMIS, B. & Br.
LACTARIUS HYSGINUS, Fr.

L. TRIVIALIS, Fr.

L. GLyciosMmus, Fr.

L. TORMINOSUS, Fr.

RUSSULA QUELETH, Fr.
MARASMIUS RAMEALIS, Fr.

M. ANDROSACEUS, Fr....
LENTINUS COCHLEATUS, Fr.

L. LEPIDEUS, Fr.

PANUS STIPTICUS, Fr.

TROGIA CRISPA, Fr. ¥:
ScHIZOPHYLLUM COMMUNE, Fr. ...
Polyporei.
STROBILOMYCES STROBILACEUS,Berk,| x

POLYPORUS BRUMALIS, Fr.

P. PERENNIS, Fr.
NUMMULARIUS, Fr.
DESTRUCTOR, Fr. ... one tes
FOMENTARIUS, Fr. ...
MOLLUSCUS, Fr.

OBDUCENS, Fr.
FIBULA, Fr.
VULGARIS, Fr.
TRAMETES GIBBOSA, Fr. ...

T. MOLLIS, Fr. ;
DADALIA QUERCINA, Pers.
MERULIUS TREMELLOSUS, Schrad.

rd bd Po bd ho bd ho

wa
ae #ho/3| ale
S|, elxsigeislsiesiss! a
SlODlOnIS al ol|~|SRmiaalie
home a) WS) ale |ZOlS sles
SIZF/SClOH Gl alo \solom
Glo i IAP yee oes
x xX 1S
x
x x
x K
x
x x
x x
x K
x
x
x
i
x
x
x x | |
;
x
x
x
A
| J
D
D
x
B% x
$<
x
E
x xh
x

GAPS SEAN OE

M. LACRYMANS, Fr.
SOLENIA ANOMALA, Fr.

HyYDNUM AURISCALPIUM, Linn. ...
H. OCHRACEUM, Pers.
H. FARINACEUM, Pers.
IRPEX CARNEUS, Fr.
RADULUM ORBICULARE, Fr.
PHLEBIA MERISMOIDES, Fr.
GRANDINIA GRANULOSA, Fr.

| THELEPHORA ANTHOCEPHALA, Fr.
} TT. vacrniaTa, Pers.
_ | STEREUM SPADICEUM, Fr.
| CorTICIUM L#VE, Pers. ...
|. C. QueRcinuM, Fr.
C. POLYGONIUM, Pers.
| C. COMEDENS, Fr.
_| CYPHELLA MUSCICOLA, Fr.

| CLAVARIA AMETHYSTINA, Bull.
__C. CINEREA, Bull.

C. in&Quatis, FI. Dan.

C. VERMICULARIS, Scop.

C. jyuncea, Fr. Re A
| PISTILLARIA QUISQUILARIS, Fr. .

| TREMELLA FOLIACEA, Pers.
| T. TuBERcuLARIA, Berk.
EXIDIA GLANDULOSA, Fr.

D. sTILLATus, Nees.

GASTROMYCETES.

| DACRYMYCES DELIQUESCENS, Dub.

| SPHZROBOLUS STELLATUS, Tode.

CLYDESDALE FUNGI. 57
ea he ath gO aD sal ae
2) S|, 5\x318s)3|2iesisd) 5
BSB" \2 Blslale Se
| : ip
4 x x |
Hydnei.
E
Loe
|X |
x
ale
x x
x x)
Thelephorei.
Cc
x|x
x xXx|xX
x
* H
x |
x KS
J
Clavariei.
- |
x x
>4
x
G
x x |
Tremellinei.
Sa
4 ae Le
H | H
xX) xX
x x|x )
Nidularieae.
B
x
IDULARIA PISIFORMIS, Tul : x
x x Mito
Phalloideae.
x x

58 CLYDESDALE FUNGI.

MICRO-FUNGI.
Myxomycetes,

RETICULARIA LYCOPERDON, Bull. Ona tree stump. ---

ARCYRIA INCARNATA, Pers. On decaying branches.

LYCOGALA MINIATA, Pers. On dead wood. et

TRICHIA CHRYSOSPERMA, Bull. On dead wood. Je Alia

Phycomycetes.
SPINELLUS FUSIGER, Link. On decaying agarics.
Ustilagineze.

URocystTIs ANEMONES, Pers. On Ranunculus repens. ++.

ENTYLOMA MICROSPORUM, Ung. do, sie

PROTOMYCES MACROSPORUS, Ung. On Zgopodium
Podagraria. tee see tee

| Cadzow.

x

Uredinee.
PUCCINIA POARUM, Neil. (As Aicidium.) On Zussi/ago
Farfara. ..- oh ete ade ane Bae
P. MENTHA, Pers. On Mentha aguatica. -- oss
P. opLoncatA, Link. (As Uredo.) On Luzula
MAXIMIA. +++ Nee late Bae aus He
P. Baryl, B. & Br. (As aes On pitecicond
sylvaticum.
P, CHRYSOSPLENII, Grev. Ge Cheopiztuis copes
tifolium.
MELAMPSORA BETULINA, Bera) On oe of ae
M. circ&@, Schum. (As Uredo.) On Cire
Lutetiana.
M. VACCINIORUM, Di (As pirede: ) On ete
Myrtillis. .. : ves
COLEOSPORIUM SONCHI, Pers. ver Tussilago pues
C. CAMPANULA, Pers. On Campanula rotundifolia. ... |X
MILESIA POLYPODII, B. White. On Blechnum boreale.
Discomycetes.
MORCHELLA CONICA, Pers. On the ground.
HELVELLA Lacunosa, Afz. Ona hedge-bank, near Daly:
HELOTIUM LUTESCENS, Hedw. On dead branches.
H. VIRGULTORUM, Wahi. On fallen twigs.
H. scututa, Pers. On dead herbaceous stems.
H. PRuINosuM, Jerd. On dead Pyrenomycetes.
MOLLIsIA ATRATA, Pers. On decaying stem ofan umbellifer.
M. CINEREA, Batsch. On decaying wood. .-.. tee
DASYSCYPHA CALYCINA, Schum. On dead branches of larch.
D. apaa, B. & Br. On dead culms of rushes.

Cadder
Wilderness.
| Hawkhead.

ec

x

Johnstone
Castle.
Rouken
Glen.

|
|

CLYDESDALE FUNGI.

CoRYNE URNALIS, Nyl. On deaying wood.
aR SARCOIDES, Jacq. On decaying wood.
ORBILIA LEUCOSTIGMA, Fr. On rotten wood.
vinosa, A. & S. On decaying branches.
RHYTISMA ACERINUM, Pers. (As Melasmia acerina,
Lév.) On leaves of Acer pseudo-platanus. vs
TROCHILA LAURO-CERASI, Desm. On dead leaves of
Prunus lauro-cerasus. ,
Perisporiaceze.
| PoposPHARA OXYACANTHAE, D.C. aa on leaves
and twigs of Crafegus. ;
* Pyrenomycetes.
re CORDYCEPS MILITARIS, L. On dead pup of Lepidoptera.
| USTULINA VULGARIS, Tul. On a decaying stump.
| HypoxyLon coccinEuM, Bull. On dead wood.
_| ANTHOSTOMA TURGIDUM, Fr. On dead bark of One
DIATRYPE DISCIFORMIS, Hoffm. do.
bt Spheropsidee.
% _VERMICULARIA TRICHELLA, Fr. On dead leaf of Hedera.
P Ah DaRLUCA FILUM, Biv. Parasite on Zrichobasis oblongata.

| SEPTORIA STACHYDIS, Rob. & Desm. On Stachys sylvatica.

S. urTIcm, Rob. & Desm. On leaves of Urtica dioica.
Melanconiez.
ial -Giaosporium FAGI, Desm.& Rob. On fallen beech leaves.
| LIBERTELLA FAGINEA, Desm. On dead bark of beech.
| STEGANOSPORIUM PIRIFORME, Hoffm. On dead bark
of Acer pseudo-platanus. ...
Hyphomycetes. |
CYLINDRIUM FLAVOVIRENS, Bon. On fallen leaves. ---
-TRICHODERMA LIGNORUM, Tode. On dead wood.
| RAMULARIA CALCEA, Desm. On Nepeta Glechoma.
| Fumaco VAGANS, Pers. On leaves of evergreen shrubs.

SARIA FARINOSA, Dicks. On dead pupz of ere
ANTHINA FLAMMEA, Fr. On decaying leaves. . :
| TUBERCULARIA VULGARIS, Tode. On dead ee

ae | Cadzow.

Cadder

Wilderness.

x

| Hawkhead.

un
Ke)

ohnstone
Castle.

J

x X

60 CLYDESDALE FUNGI.

ADDENDA.

The results of the forays for 1906 were too late to be inserted
in the foregoing list, but the new records are as follow. The
excursions were to the woods at Hawkhead, z9th September,
Drumpellier, 6th October, and Torrance (East Kilbride), 13th
October. To these are added the records of a visit by Mr. D. A.
Boyd and myself, to Montgreenan Woods, on 20th October.

g
se ie] S
Sia} | oo
Ae
HYMENOMYCETES. migiels
Agaricini. Leamraate Gav
MYCENA PTERIGENA, FY. ... x
M. CAPILLARIS, Schum. x|x
OMPHALIA STELLATA, Fr. ... x
PLEUROTUS DRYINUS, Pers. x
P. PORRIGENS, Pers. x
ENTOLOMA RHODOPOLIUM. Ns
LACTARIUS DELICIOSUS, Fr. x
L. PALLIDUS, Fr. oF ae En Ne =e x
Polyporei.

POLYPORUS C#SIUS, Fr. ... ee x
FERRUGINOSUS, Fr.... vs: aun et as x
SANGUINOLENTUS, Fr. see ote ae Le x

Hydnei.
PHLEBIA VAGA, Fr. AS Z, x
Thelephorei.
CORTICIUM INCARNATUM, Fr. : x
Clavariei.
CLAVARIA FISTULOSA, Fr. x
GASTROMYCETES.
Lycoperdee.

LYCOPERDON PERLATUM, Pers. ... et st xe x].

CLYDESDALE FUNGI.

oO
+

4)| 8
e\é
MICRO-FUNGI. |
Phycomycetes. rat aap
CyYSTOPUS CANDIDUS, Pers. On Capsella Bursa-pastoris.
PHYTOPHTHORA INFESTANS, Mont. On Solanum tuberosum. x
Ustilaginee.
PROTOMYCES PACHYDERMUS, Thiim. On Zaraxacum officinale.| | *
Uredinee.
PUCCINIA SANICULA, Grev. On Sanicula Europza.
P. caricis, Schum. On Carex pendula.
P. SUAVEOLENS, Pers. On Cnicus arvensis. --. x
COLEOSPORIUM TUSSILAGINIS, Lév. On Zussz/ago Fivfere. x
Discomycetes.
| HELVELLA MACROPUS, Pers. On the ground.
LEOTIA LUBRICA, Scop. On the ground.
Humaria GRANULATA, Bull. On cow-dung. x
‘| HELOTIUM CITRINUM, Hedw. On fallen branches. :
| CIBORIA LUTEO-VIRESCENS, Rob. On decaying stems of Acer.
| CyaTHICULA coronaTA, Bull. Ona dead herb-stem.
-CHLOROSPLENIUM £RUGINOSUM, Fl. Dan. Ascophores on
a fallen trunk. Sy ia ree
_ LACHNEA SCUTELLATA, ‘Linn, On rates stumps. - Sar Whe
| AscopoLus vinosus, Berk. On rabbit-dung.
| BULGARIA INQUINANS, Pers. Ona fallen trunk.
| OrBILia LEUCOSTIGMA, Fr. On rotten wood.
| PSEUDOPEZIZA TRIFOLU, Bern. On Trifolium repens.
| LopHoDERMIUM PINASTRI, Schrad. On dead pine-leaves. --.
| Dichana QUERCINA, pee On living bark of Querczs.
Perisporiacee.
-CAPNODIUM SALICINUM, A. and S. As Hoes, on Salix x
Caprea. Aor nieie
f C. QUERCINUM, Pers. ye Fumago, on Gans aebaae tis x
oi Pyrenomycetes.
| Hyrocrea morirormis, C.and M. Ona fallen trunk.
| NECTRIA CINNABARINA, Tode. On dead bark. rd
N. coccingEa, Pers. On dead bark of Fagus. «+. aM x
| PHYLLACHORA GRAMINIS, Pers. On Bromus asper.
P. PODAGRARIA, Roth. On Agopodium. : - x

es SCONIS STILBOSTOMA, Fr. On dead bark of Betula.

| Torrance.

Xx

| Montgreenan.

x xX

xX XX XX

62 CLYDESDALE FUNGI.

XYLARIA HYPOXYLON, Linn. On rotten wood.
DIATRYPELLA VERRUCIFORMIS, Ehrh. On dead pee

of Fagus. abe sie mins
DIATRYPE STIGMA, Hoffm. On dead bark of Crategus.

Spheropsidez.

SEPTORIA STACHYDIS, Rob. and Desm. On Stachys ” Sle
MELASMIA ACERINA, Lév. On leaves of Acer. :
Melanconiez.

MELANCONIUM BICOLOR, Nees. On dead bark of Beteula. .--
ASTEROSPORIUM HOFFMANNII, Kze. On dead bark of Fagus.
Hyphomycetes.

SEPEDONIUM CHRYSOSPERMUM, Bull. On rotten Bole?i.
TRICHOTHECIUM ROSEUM, Link. On dead bark of Fagus.
TORULA OVALISPORA, Berk. On dead wood.

| Hawkhead.

x
x
x

Xx

| Drumpellier.

| Torrance.

x

| Montgreenan.

x

THE BIRDS OF ROUKEN GLEN PARK.

By JoHN ROBERTSON.

(Read rst June, 1900.)

RouKEN GLEN Park is suitable for many species of birds. As
cover is good, and the glen proper is well sheltered, most of our
woodland species are to be found. All our local warblers, except
two, the wood warbler and lesser whitethroat, occur almost
annually.

The Capelrig Burn runs through the park, connecting a small
dam at the head of the glen with Deaconsbank Dam at the foot.

At present this stream is not pure, the smell given off some
days by bleaching chemicals being very strong. It is to be hoped
that the Corporation of Glasgow will take early steps to put a stop

~ to the pollution of this burn. Not many years ago it was a fine
trout stream, but no trout could survive in it now.

-The public have recently been prohibited from fishing on the
upper reaches of this stream, as well as the Brother Loch, from

__ which it issues, so that the Glasgow people have a right, which

can be legally enforced, to demand that the reach which belongs
to themselves shall be free from pollution.
The kingfisher, dipper, and grey wagtail flit up and down the

burn, and coots and waterhens are conspicuous on the dams.

The list which follows is made up of seventy-four species, but
that is probably considerably short of the actual number which
visit Rouken Glen Park, as I made no notes of birds in general
on my visits. I was more interested in the warblers than the
other birds. There are many birds in the list which one must

naturally expect will soon vanish from this locality, now that the
4 public are admitted in their thousands, but, on the other hand, a
larger number are likely to remain denizens of the Rouken Glen
a _ Park for years to come.

Mistle Thrush (Zurdus viscivorus, L.)—This, the largest of our

_ thrushes, is pretty much in evidence in the grounds in the earlier
_ months of the year. A few pairs nest; and the bird is in song

64 THE BIRDS OF ROUKEN GLEN PARK.

from January, or even earlier, till the end of May. The song is
somewhat like that of the blackbird, but wilder and louder, and
the single phrase of which the song consists is repeated rapidly,
not—as in the case of the blackbird—leisurely, and with a pause
between each phrase.

Song Thrush (Zurdus musicus, L.)—Here, as in other wood-
land districts, our commonest thrush, and perhaps the finest
singer among all our song birds. In an open season the song
may be commenced at Christmas, and is continued, by some
individuals, at least, until July.

In winter the song thrush is apparently absent from the Rouken
Glen, but that there are nearlyalways a few birds present is proved by
the fact that a mild day usually induces a few birds to burst into song.

The nest of the song thrush is a beautiful structure made of
rootlets, coarse grass, or small twigs, and neatly lined inside with
cow droppings or decayed wood; the whole so strong and firm
that it resembles the half of a cocoanut shell. Among all the
song thrushes’ nests I have seen I have never yet observed one
lined with mud.

Redwing (Zurdus iliacus, L.)—This thrush visits us in winter
in small flocks, and it occurs here quite commonly. The first
intimation of its arrival is usually its note, ‘‘see you,” from over-
head on some dark October night, as the birds are finding their
way to their winter quarters in this country.

Fieldfare (Zurdus pilaris, L.)—Another winter thrush, and
although often seen in the Rouken Glen, much less common than
the redwing. It is more a bird of the open and upland country,
the name fieldfare being from the Anglo-Saxon, and meaning the
farer, or wanderer over the fallow, or untilled ground.

Blackbird (Zurdus merula, L.)—Next to the song thrush in
point of numbers, the blackbird is usually in song from March till
June, and being rather more hardy than that species it is con-
stantly to be seen in winter, even in hard weather.

Whinchat (Pratincola rubetra (L.))—A summer visitor quite
common in the neighbourhood, and often visiting the grounds of
Rouken Glen.

Redstart (Auticilla phenicurus (L.))—Another summer visitor,
but it has only been noticed very rarely, in spring, on the way to
its breeding quarters in some other part of the country.

THE BIRDS OF ROUKEN GLEN PARK. 65

Redbreast (Zrithacus rubecula (L.) )—The robin is abundant
at all seasons, and it would be difficult to single out a week of
the whole year in which its thin, high-pitched song may not be
heard.

Common Whitethroat (Sv/via cinerea (Bech.) )—This species
arrives about the beginning of May and leaves again by September.
It is a common bird in the grounds, frequenting the trees and
thickets, and many pairs nest.

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla (L.) )}—This fine warbler is heard
every season from the middle of May on, but only a pair or two
nest.

Garden Warbler (.Sy/via hortensis (Bech.) )—The garden warbler
arrives from 6th May on, and is more numerous than the blackcap;
six Or seven males may be heard in song on a May morning.
The song is lower and more gurgling than that of the blackcap,
but it requires very considerable practice and patience to be able
to discriminate between the songs of these two species.

Goldcrest (Regulus cristatus, Koch.)—The golden-crested wren,
the smallest of British birds, is common, especially among the
conifers. It is always present, summer or winter, mild weather
Or severe frost; and in most seasons not less than half-a-dozen
pairs nest within the bounds of Rouken Glen Park.

Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus rufus (Bech.) )—This is only a passing
visitor in April or May, its note, “ chiff chaff,” being often heard
among the trees near the foot of the glen. I have never known
it to nest here.

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus (L.) )—The commonest
of all our warblers arrives from 8th April on. It is abundant
everywhere, and in May its silvery little song may be heard on
every hand. Even throughout August a few individuals are in
song, but the song is then much lower and softer than in April
or May.

Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus phragmitis (Bech.) )—This chat-
tering warbler arrives about the end of April, and keeps pretty

much among the willows and other bushes by the edge of the

water. Only a few birds are to be found in the glen. The song

consists of a few harsh “churring” notes of its own, intermixed

with the notes of all the commoner birds, which it mimics

admirably. On warm, close nights it sings all through the night,
E

66 THE BIRDS OF ROUKEN GLEN PARK.

and if it should be silent a stone thrown among the bushes, or any
noise, will set it a-going. It is this species, singing at night, which
is often mistaken in Scotland for the nightingale, a bird which has
never been known to occur on this side of the border.

Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella nevia (Bodd.))—The grass-
hopper warbler has occurred a few times in May, just on the
fringes of the park. Its curious song, best heard in the evening
or early morning, is exactly like the sound of the reel of a fishing-
rod being run out continuously.

Hedge Sparrow (Accentor modularis (L.) )—This inconspicuous
little bird may be seen in the park all the year round, and its
pleasant warbling song may be heard in December, when nearly
all birds are mute. It has a plaintive call note, which, heard
through a wet December fog, adds a feeling of dreariness to the
somewhat desolate days we have in that month. It has another
curious sleepy note which conveys a feeling of drowsiness to the
listener.

Dipper (Cinclus aguaticus, Bech.)—This lively bird, with its
pure white breast, may be seen flitting up and down the stream
emitting its call note, ‘‘zee¢ zeez.” It has a pleasant, thrush-like
song, which may be heard in winter when snow is on the ground
and the streams half-frozen.

Long-tailed Titmouse (Acredula rosea (Blyth) )—This pretty
little bird, somewhat resembling a miniature magpie, is sometimes
seen, but although it has nested several times in the neighbour-
hood, I have never seen its nest in Rouken Glen.

Great Titmouse (Parus major, L.). Coal Titmouse (Parus
ater, L.). Blue Titmouse (Parus ceruleus, L.)—These three tits
are all resident and nesting species in the Rouken Glen Park.

Wren (7Zvoglodytes parvulus, Koch.)—The wren is a common
Rouken bird, and its cheery song may be heard in every month of
the year.

Tree Creeper (Certhia familiaris, L.)—A few birds are often
present, and in some seasons a pair nests in the glen.

White Wagtail (Aotacil/a alba, L.)—This wagtail is sometimes
seen by the margin of Deaconsbank Dam in spring, on its way to
more northern climes.

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla lugubris, Tem.). Grey Wagtail (dZota-
cilla melanope, Pallas.). Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla rati (Bona.) )—

THE BIRDS OF ROUKEN GLEN PARK. 67

A few pied wagtails may be seen, while the grey wagtail frequents
the stream where it nests. The yellow wagtail, a summer visitor
to the surrounding fields, comes in to the margins of the dams to
bathe and get whatever food it can.

Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis (L.)). Tree Pipit (Anthus trivt-
alis (L.) )—The meadow pipit is at times very common in the
grounds, and a few pairs of the tree pipit, a summer visitor,
occur.

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa grisola, L.)—This, the latest of
our summer visitors to arrive, is not usually noticed before the
middle of May. Indeed, the bird is more in evidence in autumn
than early summer.

Swallow (Hirundo rustica, L.). House Martin (Chelidon urbica
(L.)). Sand Martin (Cottle riparia (L.) )—Our three species of
swallow may often be observed hawking insects over the dams or
above the trees from April till October. The swallow and sand
martin are more numerous than the house martin, of which only
in autumn are numbers seen.

Greenfinch (Ligurinus chloris (L.))—Very common. The
greenfinch begins to sing about the middle of March and con-
tinues till August.

House Sparrow (Fasser domesticus (L.) )—Abundant.

Chaffinch (Fringilla celebs, L.)—Vies with the greenfinch in
point of numbers. The song of the chaffinch is commenced a
little earlier and finished a month or six weeks sooner than that
of the greenfinch.

Lesser Redpoll (Zinota rufescens (Vieill.) The lesser redpoll
is sometimes seen in winter or early spring.

Yellow Bunting (Zmdéeriza citrinella, L.). Reed Bunting (Zm-
beriza scheniclus, L.)—Both these species are well known birds in
the grounds, although the reed bunting is rather scarce, only a
pair or two occurring by the edge of the dams, oftenest at the one
at the head of the glen. The yellow bunting is a most persistent
singer. The song is usually started in February, and even in
October—long after most birds are songless—the melancholy wail
of some tardy yellow-hammer may be heard.

Starling (Starnus vulgaris, L..—Common. Perhaps one point
in favour of this common but beautiful bird is the fact that it sings
a great deal when other birds’ songs are few and far between.

68 THE BIRDS OF ROUKEN GLEN PARK.

Magpie (Pica rustica (Scopoli))—The magpie still nests on
Corporation ground, and may often be seen or heard in the
vicinity.

Jackdaw (Corvus monedula, L.). Rook (Corvus frugilegus, L.)
—Both these species are, of course, quite common.

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone, L.) —Only once observed — in
early spring.

Sky Lark (A/auda arvensis, L.)—A common bird in the vicinity,
and its song may often be heard overhead. It is usually in song
from February till July, and then resumes for a short time in
October.

Swift (Cypselus apus (L.) )—Often seen flying above Deacons-
bank Dam in pursuit of insects.

Kingfisher (Adcedo ispida, L.)—May often be seen darting along
the stream, where a pair or two nest nearly every season, either
within the glen itself, or a short distance beyond the boundaries.

Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus, L.)—Though not a common bird
here, the well-known note of the cuckoo may often be heard in
the park.

Long-eared Owl (Asio ofus (L.)). Tawny Owl (Syrnium aluco
(L.) )—Both these owls occur but sparingly.

Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter nisus (L.) )—Frequents the woodlands
of the neighbourhood, and is now and then seen here.

Heron (Ardea cinerea, L.)—Formerly the glen was seldom
without a heron or two fishing in the stream, but the works above
Newton Mearns seem to use a stronger brand of chemicals now,
which being discharged into the Capelrig Burn has proved
disastrous to the trout and minnows, so that the heron has to go
elsewhere.

Wild Duck (Anas boscas, L.). ‘Teal (WVettion crecca (L.)).
Tufted Duck (Filigula cristata (Leach.)). Pochard (Fuligula
ferina (L.) )—A few of all these ducks occur on the dams, the wild
duck and teal frequently, but the tufted duck and pochard rarely.

‘Ring Dove (Columba palumbus, L.)—Many wood pigeons nest
in and around the grounds, and their plaintive note may often be
heard. The note has been rendered “ Zaffy tak two coos,” and
on nearly every warm or close day, from January till August, the
ring dove may be heard urging Taffy, over and over again, to
“ Tak two coos.”

THE BIRDS OF ROUKEN GLEN PARK. 69

Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus (L.)). Partridge (Perdix cinerea,
Latham.)—Both the pheasant and the partridge occur in the park,
the latter rather rarely, but neither is likely to increase in numbers
now.

Corncrake (Crex pratensis, Bech.)—The corncrake comes to
the neighbouring fields in April, keeping in about the plantations
and hedge bottoms at first, and then occupying the grass lands
later.

Water Rail (Ral/us aguaticus, L.)—I have only twice seen this
shy and retiring species, at the edge of Deaconsbank Dam.

Waterhen (Gadlinula chloropus (L.))—This is a common
species in the glen. It is always present, summer or winter.

Coot (fidica atra, L.)—About four pairs of coots inhabit the
dams as long as the water is not frozen over, when they repair to
larger sheets of water, or to the coast.

Lapwing ( Vanellus vulgaris, Bech.)—The lapwing is a common
species in the surrounding fields, and often comes in to the water
to drink or bathe.

Woodcock (Scolopax rusticula, L.)—A few birds are sometimes
seen, but only in winter.

Common Snipe (Gal/inago celestis (Frenzel) )—The snipe is
often seen in winter.

Common Sandpiper (Zotanus hypoleucus (L.) )—This engaging
species is frequently by the water’s edge from April till August.

Green Sandpiper (Zotanus ochropus (L.) )—This rare species I
have only seen once—in April—at the dam above the falls.

Redshank (Zo¢anus calidris (L.) )—Often comes into the muddy
margins of the dams to feed.

Black-headed Gull (Zarus ridibundus, L.). Herring Gull (Zarus |
argentatus, Gmelin). Lesser Black-backed Gull (Zarus fuscus, L.)
—tThese three gulls come about the dams, the black-headed
oftenest, the other two only occasionally.

Little Grebe (Podicipes fluviatilis (Tunstall) )—This species
nests on the dams, and is nearly always present, unless frozen
out in winter.

ADDITIONS TO AUGUST, 1907.

The following four species fall to be added to the list, bringing
the total number for Rouken Glen Park up to seventy-eight.

7O THE BIRDS OF ROUKEN GLEN PARK.

Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla, L.)—On 27th January,
1907, I saw a fine male brambling feeding along with some
chaffinches in the park ; and on gth, and again on 16th February,
I saw a single bird roosting in small thorn trees, where many
greenfinches and chaffinches roost in winter. On one of these
dates, 9th February, about twenty birds, which were probably
bramblings, were disturbed from a clump of evergreens, where
they had gone to roost, but in the bad light, just at dusk, I could
not see them sufficiently well to make identification certain. On
8th April, a late date for this winter visitor, Mr. John Paterson
saw about a dozen bramblings on a lime tree near the waterfall,
sunning themselves in bright, golden light towards sundown.

Golden-eye (Clangula glaucion (L.) )—On 1oth February, 1907,
I saw a young male golden-eye on Deaconsbank Dam. I subse-
quently saw the same bird there on several occasions. It had
thrown aside much of its usual shyness and seemed quite at ease,
diving for food and associating with a few pochards that visited
the dam frequently.

Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialts, L.)—This species occurs
in some numbers in winter in the fields on the east and west sides
of the park, and is often seen passing over, although it is not likely
to alight, as it is a bird of the open.

Curlew (Vumenius arquata (L.)—I find from my notes that on
1st May, 1898, I saw a curlew, which was calling as it flew west at
a low elevation over the park. I had overlooked this note when
I read the paper to the society.

In conclusion, I may say that this summer (1907), after the
park has been open for over a year and been visited by hundreds
of thousands of persons, I could find no appreciable difference in
its bird life. Of the seventy-eight species recorded I have
observed sixty-two this year.

I could not reckon the chiffchaff among the birds that breed
in the glen until this season, when two pairs of this somewhat
local warbler remained to nest.

EXCURSIONS TO THE ISLANDS OF
BUTE AND GREAT CUMBRAE.

By JoHN ROBERTSON.

OwI!nc to the comparative inaccessibility of these islands they are
not suited for Saturday afternoon excursions, and the discomfort
travelling there on any of the Glasgow holidays has doubtless
prevented the Society having more whole-day excursions to the
delightful island of Bute and the not less interesting Cumbraes,
than would otherwise have been the case.

The first excursion was to the Great Cumbrae on Saturday
afternoon of 7th July, 1888, and the record states that five
members attended, and that among other plants the following
were found :—Ranunculus Flammula, Geranium dissectum, An-
thyllis Vulneraria, Sedum anglicum, S. acre, Buda rubra, Daucus
Carota, Aster Tripolium, and Scutellaria galcriculata.

On 13th April, 1891 (Glasgow Spring Holiday), the Great
Cumbrae was again visited by a party of about thirty-five members
and friends. Favoured by good weather this outing was much
enjoyed. Landing at Keppel Pier the party divided into
different sections, and thus succeeded in covering a considerable
area of the island, including the foreshores as far round as Balloch
and Fintry Bay, and also the central uplands and the wood
_ behind the West Bay, Millport. Owing to the protracted severe
_ weather the deciduous trees were all quite bare, but the following
_ plants were found in flower :—

RANUNCULUS Ficaria, L, Apoxa MoscHaTELuina, L.
CaRDAMINE HIRSUTA, L. TARAXACUM OFFICINALE, Web.
SISYMBRIUM THALIANUM, Hook. TusstLaco FarFara, L.
COcHLEARIA OFFICINALIS, L. BELLIS PERENNIS, L.

VIOLA CANINA, L. NEPETA GLECHOMA, Benth.
STELLARIA MEDIA, L. PRIMULA VULGARIS, Huds.
OxaLis ACETOSELLA, L. MERCURIALIS PERENNIS, L,

_ CHRYSOSPLENIUM OPPOSITIFOL- ULMUS MONTANA, Sm.
1um, L. CoryLus AVELLANA, L.

72 EXCURSIONS TO BUTE AND CUMBRAE.

The following were also noted, but not in flower :—Avenaria
trinervia, L., Geranium lucidum, L., Alisma ranunculoides, L., and
Zostera marina, L. The ivy, Hedera Helix, L., was in fine fruit
on the cliffs. The following ferns were gathered :—Asplenium
Ruta-muraria, L., A. Adiantum-nigrum, L., and Scolopendrium
vulgare, Sm.

The frequency and beauty of the poet’s lichen, Parmedia
darietina, P. saxatilis, and Evernia prunastri chiefly attracted
attention in lichens. Some puff balls were also gathered,
but in seaweeds, partly owing to the state of the tide, nothing
was done.

Some of the party engaged in dredging operations in Millport Bay.

About thirty species of birds were noted, amongst which were
the heron, golden plover, and oyster-catcher, and most of our
commoner local inhabitants, but our spring and summer visitors
were still conspicuous by their absence.

Mr. John Stewart took a few photographs, mostly of geological
interest, including a view of the trap dyke known as the Lion
Rock.

Under the most favourable conditions of wind and weather,
Mount Stuart was visited on 7th April, 1890 (Glasgow Spring
Holiday). ;

This excursion had been arranged by the Zoological Society of
Glasgow, who had kindly invited our Society to participate. The
rendezvous was Rothesay, and on arrival there the company
immediately proceeded by the high road to Mount Stuart policies.

On old walls by the roadside a great profusion of the dimple-
wort, Cotyledon Umbilicus, was noted. After entering Mount
Stuart grounds, and on the way to the mansion house, many great
cherry and Portugal laurels attracted attention. The long avenue
of lime trees, known as the Lime Walk, with its vista closed by
the sea, was much admired.

Proceeding, a heron on the wing was noticed, and inquiries
being started, it appeared that there was a small heronry in the
policies, which was then visited. Under the nesting place the
bones of an adult heron and some fragments of eggs were
discovered. .

After passing the house, an example of the oriental plane
arrested attention.

EXCURSIONS TO BUTE AND CUMBRAE. 73

A little later the wallaby enclosure was reached. Some time
was spent here while the wallabies, five in number, were being fed
by the keeper, and the members of the photographic section
endeavoured to photograph this interesting group. Some good
results were eventually secured. The wallabies were interesting
creatures, and one female was carrying a young one in her pouch.

The beaver dams were then visited, and successfully photo-
graphed. Much interesting information on the Mount Stuart
beaver colony, which is now extinct, is given in a paper by Joseph
Stuart Black, late keeper to the Marquess of Bute, published in
the ‘Journal of Forestry and Estates’ Management,” and since
reprinted in pamphlet form by A. Westwood & Son, Cupar-Fife
(1887). ‘The party returned by the moor road to Rothesay.
There were present from this Society about sixty, and from the
Zoological Society about ten, members and friends.

On roth May, 1898, Mount Stuart was visited a second time.
Landing at Craigmore in beautiful weather, the party (about
twenty-two) made their way along the shore road to .Mount
Stuart. The blighting effect of the cold east winds on the
tender leaves and shoots of some of the trees—particularly the
horse-chestnut—was noticeable along the shore.

Within the policies there was nothing noted that had not been
observed at;our former visit. Most of the party returned to
Rothesay, via Craigmore, but several members walked over to
Stravanan Bay, where a ringed plover’s nest and several oyster-
catchers’ nests were seen.

During the day about forty-two species of birds were observed,
including the wood warbler, spotted flycatcher, and grey wagtail
at Mount Stuart, and the tree pipit near Birgidale schoolhouse.

On Saturday, 23rd June, 1894, an excursion was arranged to
Kilchattan Bay, by the 10.30 a.m. train, via Fairlie.

Arriving at Kilchattan Bay some of the party set out for the
Garroch Head. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather
the walk proved a most enjoyable and exhilarating one. Near
the pier red sandstone was prominent. This sandstone, not being

Pin layers and being soft, is not used for building purposes.

Interspersed in the sandstone are numerous trap dykes, which
increase in number, till at the Garroch Head the ground is
composed of magnesium trap.

74 EXCURSIONS TO BUTE AND CUMBRAE.

Returning to Kilchattan, the party had dinner and the con-
ductor then displayed his spoils, which included hydrozoa, hermit
crabs, Pagarus Bernhardus, L., Corina pusilla, Clava multicornus,
Certularia punicla, C. abietima, Diphesia rosacea, etc.

The weather having now improved, the party had a very
enjoyable walk round the bay. In the course of the walk two
broods of oyster-catchers were very conspicuous. On the shore,
besides a number of ordinary shells, a very large otter shell,
Lutraria elliptica, was found.

After visiting two ancient tumuli, and noting some of the
various raised beaches, several of the party visited the glacial
clay-bed, at present being worked ; and described by Mr. Robert-
son in the “ Transactions of the Geological Society of Glasgow.”
In this bed was seen a magnificent example of the different kinds
of deposits set down in deep and in shallow waters. The deposit
in deep water formed a clay of absolutely fine grain, while the
deposit in shallow water was much coarser, with shells inter-
spersed.

Mr. Johnstone Shearer reported the following plants :—

DRABA VERNA, L. Rosa sPinosissima, L,
NASTURTIUM OFFICINALE, R. SEDUM ANGLICUM, Huds.

Br. DHLAORE, ly,
RaPHANUS RaAPHANISTRUM, L. CoTyLEDON Umpiticus, Huds.
R. MARITIMUS, Sm. VERBASCUM THapsus, L.

SISYMBRIUM THALIANUM, Hook. Mimu.us LuTeus, L.
LYCHNIS VESPERTINA, Sibth. ERYNGIUM MARITIMUM, L.
SILENE MARITIMA, With. SAMOLUS VALERANDI, L.

And abundance of the usual seaside plants, such as Avmeria,
Glaux, Honckenya, etc.

For the ornithological section, Mr. John Paterson reported :—
“Under the most unfavourable conditions thirty-five species were
noted. In the fields on the north side of the bay the corn
bunting was of frequent occurrence. On the south side the
kestrel and the wheatear were seen. A number of ducks,
apparently tufted ducks—Fudigula cristata—were observed.”

On 31st August, rgor, another excursion to Kilchattan Bay
and South Bute was arranged, under the leadership of Mr. John
Smith, Kilwinning, who reported—

1
:

neh or

ge

ag

a jm

EXCURSIONS TO BUTE AND CUMBRAE. 75

“From the pier we went through the village and along the old
road that leads through the north end of the Suidhe Plantation.
The Suidhe (seat) is a trap eminence rising to 517 feet, and
from its summit a magnificent view is to be obtained of the
surrounding district, of water, of island, and of mountain.

“ Reaching the main road we turned south by Lubas, and when
near Dunagoil farmhouse went down a farm road to Dunagoil
Bay. Bosses of trap rock are numerous in this district, and on
the top of one of them is situated dum ma gotl, that is, ‘the
stronghold of the stranger.’ Its north and north-east sides are
defended by the vertical walls of the trap, but its south-west side
having sloped towards the firth has had a vitrified wall formed
along the edge of its summit. What remains of this wall is seen
to be soldered firmly together into a slag-like mass not unlike
what the inside of an old lime kiln represents. But the enemy
has been here, and a large part of the wall has been thrown down;
masses of it lying on the slope already referred to. The top of
the rock has probably been divided into two compartments, the
south-east one having also been defended by a vitrified wall, and
as this is the weakest part (the rock here sloping gently to the
south-east) it would be absolutely necessary that the defences here
should be of the very strongest kind. It is also likely that the
rest of the fort should have been defended even from ‘wind and
weather’ by some kind of wall, but whatever it may have been
composed of, it has entirely disappeared.

** As to how the vitrification in old fort walls was produced there
have been several opinions, some people even going the length of
thinking that it was quite accidentally produced by the frequent
lighting of beacon fires; but in some I have seen the vitrification
has clearly been a matter of design, and Dunagoil is of the
number.

“Having viewed from the top of the old fort the rough-and-tumble
country to the south-east, a bit of trap land, and seascape, which
for irregularity of outline it would be difficult to match elsewhere,
we proceeded southwards along the coast for about a mile to
Wamh Phadrich. This is a cave situated about forty vertical feet
above sea-level, hollowed in a bed of. volcanic ash and excavated
by the waves, probably during the forty feet raised-beach period.
We proceeded to examine its contents, and soon found a few

76 EXCURSIONS TO BUTE AND CUMBRAE.

split bones which had been broken from those of some large
animal. This was our resting and turning point, and having
found a pass in the trap cliffs we reached one of those curious,
smooth, grassy glades which lie between the rough outcroppings
of the trap rocks near South Garrochty.

“Right in front of us was a very remarkable hill, and a certain
gentleman we met furnished us with a good cock-and-bull story
of the marvellous kind concerning it. South Bute occupies but a
small area, only some four square miles, but from the irregularity
of its surface it presents from many points of view landscapes
worthy of the brush of the painter, the admiration of the
excursionist, or the camera of the photographer.

“ Turning to the right by the road which leads to the Plan farm,
we found a footpath which took us to the ruin of St. Blane’s
Chapel.

“‘ The arrangements here are peculiar, the church and churchyard
being situated on the top of a mound raised some distance above
the general level of the ground. Some repairs and additions have
lately been made on the ruins, but it may take centuries ‘ nibbling
of the tooth of time’ to bring them into harmony with the rest of
the ruins.

“To the south-east of the churchyard a bit of ground has been
excavated to a shallow depth, exposing some exceedingly primitive
structures. What we dubbed the ¢veasure chest is a hole in the
ground lined with four rough stones and covered by a stone lid,
which has a convenient notch in one side of it, so as to allow a
person to put in or take out any small article without being at the
trouble of raising the stone.

“Just to the west of the church there is a cliff of trap rock, and
close up to it there are two remarkable structures built entirely
without lime. The south one may have been the original kil or
cell of St. Blane, and the north one—called the cauldron—was
probably where his servants resided. It is sub-circuiar in outline,
and the boulder-built walls are ten feet thick. Inside of it one of
the party detached a large fragment of an under hand-millstone—
the ‘sitter.’

“Proceeding from the base of the cliff, at the north side of the
cauldron, there is the root of a very thick, old, dry-stone wall,
which, curving round, continues in a straight line for a considerable

a"
Oe

a

EXCURSIONS TO BUTE AND CUMBRAE. Ph

distance towards the south, and probably at one time enclosed
the original territory of St. Blane.

“We now set out on an adventure across the hills, and none of
the party will readily forget this. Having been nearly swamped
amongst the tall brackens on either side of Glen Callum, and
passing the ruin of what the Ordnance map has set down as a
‘castle,’ we descended on the east shore. Amongst interesting
features of a geological nature there is here a famous patch of
‘columnar sandstone.’

“ During the excursion an exceptional number of scarce plants
were seen, and there were few of the party who did not obtain
something new to them. The chief plants were :—

SAPONARIA OFFICINALIS, L. CHRYSANTHEMUM SEGETUM,
SILENE MARITIMA, With. 1

SAGINA NoposA, Fenzl. MENTHA AQUATICA, L.
HYPERICUM HUMIFUSUM, L. SAMOLUS VALERANDI, L.
GERANIUM MOLLE, L. CHENOPODIUM Bonus-HEnN-
EPILOBIUM PARVIFLORUM, Ricus, L.

Schreb. ; PoLyGonumM HypRopIPER, L.
CIRC#A LUTETIANA, L. ASPLENIUM ADIANTUM-NIG-
CoTYLEDON Umpi.icus, L. RUM, L.

SEDUM ANGLICUM, Huds. CYSTOPTERIS FRAGILIS,
CARDUUS ACANTHOIDES, Sm. Bernh.”

Kilchattan Bay was the starting point of a third excursion on
Easter Monday, 16th April, 1906. Some twenty-four members
attended. The route followed was much the same as on the
Society’s previous visit to Kilchattan Bay, but the outing was
completely marred by bad weather.

The standing stones in Blackpark Plantation were visited.
These are three upright blocks, of which really nothing authentic
is known. The heavy rain rendered successful observation out of
the question, and there was nothing noteworthy to report. For
the entomological section Mr. Ross, who had been down over the
week-end, reported :—

“The sunshine of Saturday forenoon brought out many flies
among the willows near the pier. At no corresponding period of
any year have we seen such numbers on the wing. In addition
to these, bees of various kinds swarmed about the willow catkins.

78 EXCURSIONS TO BUTE AND CUMBRAE.

Although the number of species of Diptera is not great, individuals,
especially of the ‘bluebottle’ and ‘greenbottle’ flies, were
abundant. The following were captured :—

Family Syrphide. Family Muscide.
CHILosia GRossA. Fallén. LUCILIA CORNICINA, Fab.
PLATYCHIRUS ALBIMANUS, Fab. CALLIPHORA ERYTHROCEPHALA,
SYRPHUS COMPOSITARUM, Ver. Mg.

S. PUNCTULATUS, Ver. Family Scatomyzide.
S. TorRvus, O.-S. SCATOPHAGA VILLIPES, Ztt.

Family Anthomyiide. CERATINOSTOMA OSTIORUM,
HYETODESIA MARMORATA, Ztt. al

On 2oth August, 1903, an outing was arranged to St. Ninian’s
Bay, Bute.

The showery morning probably kept some members from
joining, as only ten, two of them being ladies, put in an appearance.

Leaving Rothesay pier the route taken was by the Kilchattan
road, along which the party walked for about four miles to
Birgidale School. The view on the way embraced Loch Fad on
the right, and Loch Ascog on the left, and before long the rugged
peaks of Arran rose in front and were in sight the whole day.

The first object that attracted attention along the road was the
abundance of a lichen, probably Parmelia parietina, on which the
fructification was finely developed.

Although rather late there was a fine display in the hedges, in
places, of the honeysuckle, Zonicera Periclymenum, and along the
roadside were seen good specimens of Cerastium vulgare.

In one place the leaves of the willow, Salix purpurea, covered
with galls about the size of peas, attracted some notice.

Gnaphalium uliginosum was very plentiful by the roadside, and
among the plants seen were Eupatorium cannabinum, Erythrea
Centaurium, Valeriana officinalis, Solanum Dulcamara, and last,
though not least, the uncommon Senecio sylvaticus.

Leaving the Kilchattan Bay road, the way was taken past
Ambrismore, to the heather-covered and rocky point above
Ardscalpsie. Having got over this point the road was left, and
the party made across the fields to the shore, and from this point
the ground was a paradise to botanists. On the higher ground
were seen Pimpinella Saxifraga, Maitricaria Chamomilla and

EXCURSIONS TO BUTE AND CUMBRAE. 79

Gnaphalium sylvaticum, while lower down in the marshy ground
Anagallis tenella was very plentiful, and Pinguicula lusitanica was
not uncommon.

On the border land, between the shore and the higher ground,
in the marshy places were found Hypericum elodes, Triglochin
maritimum, T. palustre, Alisma rununculoides, and Juncus uliginosus,
form viviparus.

The shore being reached, eager anticipations were once more
satisfied. Samolus Valerandi, Ligusticum Scoticum, Salicornia
herbacea, Mertensia maritima (the oyster plant), Cnanthe
Lachenatit turned up in quick succession among the plants. A
specimen of the seaweed Odonthalium dentatum was found, but
not in good condition.

On the rocks we got Asplenuim maritimum, and A. Adiantum-
nigrum.

The time running short the shore was left, and all made for
the high road to Rothesay. On the way a fine plant of Daucus
Carota was noted. What gave great pleasure was the finding, during
the day, of five species of Hypericum in flower, viz.:—ZH. elodes,
perforatum, quadrangulum, humifusum, and Androsemum.

The last thing noted was a fine mushroom, Agaricus arvensis,
which was found growing in the grass by the roadside.

THE FPLORA OF. THE: AKRROCH AR
MOUNTAINS.

By Joun R. LEE.

(Read rst December, 1905.)

For a considerable number of years past various members of
the Andersonian Naturalists’ Society have both singly, and in
groups of two or three, or sometimes larger parties, made
excursions to the Arrochar district, for the purpose of investi-
gating the botany of the mountains around the head of Loch
Long. The results of these observations have, from time to time,
been brought before the Society, and many interesting and
valuable details regarding the occurrence of particular species on
these hills have been obtained. The chief interest of the district
lies in the fact that it forms the only truly alpine region of any
considerable extent within the drainage area of the Clyde; and
although the Arrochar hills do not attain an altitude comparable
with that of the mountains lying to the north of Loch Lomond,
still they are sufficiently high to yield examples of the typical
Arctic vegetation found on the more lofty summits in Scotland,
and may be said to be fairly representative of Scottish mountains
in general as regards their characteristic flora.

The present paper is an attempt to bring together the results of
the observations hitherto made upon some of these hills, so far
as they are sufficiently complete to be of value for future

reference. As the information available with regard to some of

the less accessible parts of the district is somewhat scanty, I have
found it necessary to confine attention to a somewhat restricted
area, and to adopt boundaries which, while fairly natural on the
whole, are necessarily arbitrary and artificial at some points.
The area which I propose to deal with exclusively in the
present paper is that comprised within the following boundaries,
viz.: On the south—the Glen Croe burn from its source to
Loch Long, and the valley between Arrochar and Tarbet,

ov
+4
a4

From

Photos. by]

CROIS, FROM ARROCHAR.

GLEN LOIN, LOOKING SOUTH.

PLATE I.

(Geo. Herriot.

BRITISH
MUSEUM

5 DEC 21

NATURAL
HISTORY.

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. 81

including that portion of the shore of Loch Long lying between
the mouth of Glen Croe and Arrochar pier. On the west—the
watershed running along the ridge of Ben Ime (and including the
peak), dividing the streams draining to Loch Long from those
draining towards Loch Fyne, and extending northward to the
head of Loch Sloy, and the northern slope of Ben Vorlich. On
the north—the base of Ben Vorlich eastward to Ardlui; the
eastern boundary being formed by Loch Lomond, from Ardlui to
Tarbet pier. I have not included any of the hills lying on the
south side of the Tarbet valley, between Loch Lomond and Loch
Long, but as these hills do not attain a high altitude, and
nowhere afford a truly alpine flora, their exclusion does not
seriously affect the purpose of this paper. It is with more
hesitation that I have decided to leave out of account the interest-
ing hills to the south and west .of Glen Croe. By so doing
several very interesting and important records of the rarer alpine
species have to be passed by ; but, as the information with regard
to these hills is much less complete than is the case with the area
included, I have thought it well to postpone dealing with these
meantime. I might suggest to some of the members of the
Botanical Section, whose knowledge of these localities is more
extensive than my own, that a paper on similar lines to the
present, dealing with the now popular “ Argyll’s Bowling Green”
and the specially interesting mountain of Beinn-an-Lochain, would
be a valuable one.

The mountains included within the boundaries indicated are
six in number, and lie in two parallel series running south-west
and north-east. The three peaks included in the more southerly
ridge are Ben Arthur, Ben Narnain, and Crois ; those in the more
northerly series are Ben Ime, Ben Vane, and Ben Vorlich.
Besides these higher peaks there is the low hill of Cruach-Tarbet,
locally known as “ The Cruach,” which occupies the south-eastern
corner of the district, forming the northern side of the Tarbet
valley, and divided from the larger mountain masses by the two
principal glens of the area. These glens are (1) Glen Loin, which
forms the upper portion of the Loch Long basin, and extends for
about two and a half miles in a north-easterly direction from the
head of the loch between Crois and the Cruach; and (2) the
deep valley of the Inveruglas, which in its lower part separates

F

82 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

the Cruach from Ben Vorlich, and in its upper portion extends
for about three miles between the masses of Ben Vorlich and Ben
Vane. The northern end of this valley, at an altitude of a little
over 800 feet, is occupied by Loch Sloy, a lake about one and a
half miles in length, and a little over two hundred yards broad at
its widest part. By means of this deep valley the whole mass of
Ben Vorlich is rather sharply separated off from the other hills ;
but, with the exception of this mountain, and the Cruach, all the
other peaks are more or less connected by lofty ridges, their
summits thus forming in reality only the different crowns of a
single huge mountain mass. Three of these, namely, Ben Arthur,
' Ben Ime, and Ben Vane, are divided from each other, and from
the other two by definite gullies, the largest of which is
Coiregrogain, which extends upwards for about two’ miles from
the Inveruglas, between the steep southern face of Ben Vane and
the ridge of Ben Narnain, to the co/ between the latter mountain
and Ben Ime, at an altitude of 2,200 feet. The peaks of Ben
Narnain and Crois are connected by a high continuous ridge of
roughly semi-circular outline, with precipitous rocks facing the
south-east, this grand amphitheatre enclosing the great Corrie of
Narnain, or Corrie-Sugach, one of the most magnificent bits cf
hill-scenery in the district.

The mountain streams are a feature of special interest from our
present point of view, as they form an important hunting-ground
of the botanist. The principal streams of the district are the
following :—

1. The Inveruglas Water, a stream of considerable size, which
drains Loch Sloy, and after a course of about three miles enters
Loch Lomond at Inveruglas Farm, almost exactly opposite
Inversnaid. The Inveruglas valley, already referred to, is the
only piece of truly characteristic river-scenery in the district, and
has many attractions for the lover of the picturesque and sublime.

2. The Allt-Coiregrogain, rising on the northern side of Ben
Narnain, and, after being joined by a considerable stream which
flows down the north-eastern side of Ben Ime, enters the Inveruglas
near the foot of Crois.

3. The Glen Loin burn, chiefly remarkable for the fact that it
flows, throughout the greater part of its length, between cultivated
fields, an unusual feature in this wild hill-country.

|

—
ad

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. 83

4. Allt-Sugach, or the Succoth burn, one of the most inter-
esting of the streams to the botanist, which rises in the great
Corrie of Narnain, and flows down the steep face of the hill
between the peaks of Narnain and Crois into Glen Loin, but
entering the sea by a separate channel from that of the Glen Loin
burn itself.

5. Allt-a-Bhalachain, or the “Sour Milk burn,” occupying the
gully between Ben Narnain and Ben Arthur. The source of this
rather famous stream is an extensive swamp lying in the hollow
between the two peaks, at an altitude of 2,100 feet, and offering
many features of botanical interest, to which we shall have occasion
to refer further presently.

Besides these there are several minor streams, especially
on the eastern side of Ben Vorlich, as at Stuckindroin and
Ardvorlich, but these have not yet received the same amount of
attention.

The prevailing aspect of the vegetation throughout the greater
part of the area is that of hill-pasture, the dominant species being
grasses or grass-like plants. Heather-moors are nowhere extensive,
the only considerable areas under heather being a large part of
the Cruach, up to about 1,000 feet altitude, and a portion of the
eastern slopes of Ben Vorlich, overlooking Loch Lomond.
Woodland vegetation prevails on the banks of Loch Lomond, and
on the side of the Cruach facing Glen Loin. There are also a
few stretches of woodland in Glen Loin itself, one or two deep
gullies near the head of the glen being, in particular, very densely
wooded. The dominant trees in these woods are oak and birch,
the former prevailing at a low elevation, whilst the birch becomes
dominant on the hill slopes above the oak. The woodland areas
do not reach to a high altitude except on Ben Vorlich; where, in
the gully above Stuckindroin, the slopes are wooded up to nearly
1,500 feet. With the exception of the areas mentioned, the
mountain sides are mostly treeless, except along the courses of
the larger streams.

The hill-pasture, which covers by far the largest part of the
district, is fairly uniform in character; its specific constitution
varying, for the most part, within very narrow limits, as one or
another species becomes dominant according to the nature of the
soil; the variations in the latter being due to the presence of a

84 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

greater or smaller amount of humus, the quantity of moisture, or
(to a lesser extent) the exposure and altitude.

The following list of plants forming the grass association will
shew that it does not differ in any respect from that characteristic
of Scottish hill-pasture in other districts. This particular list
represents the species present on a piece of dry ground at an
altitude of 2,c00 feet on Ben Narnain, and may be said to be
fairly typical of the hill-side vegetation throughout the district.
The species are arranged in the order of numerical importance —
not in systematic order :—

Anthoxanthum odoratum. Luzula campestris.
Aira flexuosa. Vaccinium Myrtillus.
Festuca ovina. Potentilla tormentilla.
Nardus stricta. Carex (sp.)

Galium saxatile. Juncus squarrosus.

The principal dominant species in the grass association are the
following four, viz. :—Azra flexuosa, Nardus stricta, Anthoxanthum
odoratum, Scirpus cespitosus. These four replace one another
over the greater part of the moors—now one, and now another
taking the dominant position. Other plants also become domin-
ant in more restricted areas, such as _/umcus sguarrosus, or, in very
wet places, Juncus acutifiorus. ‘The secondary species, of course,
vary greatly in numerical importance at different points, but,
although differing in relative numbers, the same species are pretty
constant throughout. ‘The following list may be compared with
the one already given. This represents a similar association on
Ben Vane at 1,400 feet altitude (six hundred feet lower than the
one selected on Ben Narnain)—

Aira flexuosa. Molinia czrulea.

Luzula campestris. Galium saxatile.

Scirpus czespitosus. Juncus squarrosus.
Nardus stricta. Anthoxanthum odoratum.

Potentilla tormentilla.

The presence of the Molinia in this list, and its absence from the
former, which is the most striking difference, is not due to the
difference in altitude, for this grass is common all over the moors,
and forms part of the plant-carpet on the summits of Ben Vane
and Ben Vorlich—both over 3,000 feet.

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. - 85

In order, however, to indicate the general effect of a greater
altitude, I may give one more such list, this time representing a
typical alpine pasture at 3,000 feet on Ben Ime:—

Silene acaulis (forming cushions here Viola palustris.
and there to the exclusion of other Campanula rotundifolia.

plants). Alchemilla alpina.
Anthoxanthum odoratum (dominant Aira ceespitosa, or alpina? (in clumps).
between the patches of Silene). Festuca ovina, var. vivipara (in
Galium saxatile. ’ clumps).

Thymus Serpyllum.

The typically alpine species here are Silene acaulis (not found at a
low altitude), and Achemilla alpina. The other plants appearing
here, and not included in the preceding lists, namely, Thymus,
Viola, and Campanula, are common in the lower parts, but only
become conspicuous members of the grass association at a high
altitude.

At low altitudes, near the base of the hills, the grass association
is necessarily much richer in species, but its general character is
still very similar. One species of grass, however, not found at
high elevations, becomes conspicuous here, namely, Agrostis
vulgaris. Holcus lanatus is also frequent at low elevations.

From what has been said it will be apparent that there is
considerable uniformity in the vegetation over the greater part of
the district, and that, in considering the distribution of less
common plants, one has to do with restricted portions of the hills
to a large extent. What may be spoken of distinctively as the
alpine flora of the district is most typically exhibited on the rocky
cliffs towards the higher parts of the mountains, at elevations of

2,000 feet and upwards, on rock-ledges, amongst boulders and
débris resulting from the weathering of the rocks, and on the
stony parts of the moors near the summits.

_ Besides this more specially interesting alpine region, there are

_ two localities included in the district to which I should like to

_ make special reference in passing. The first is Loch Sloy, the

_ flora of which lake, would, I believe, repay a more extensive

| investigation than it has yet received. The loch is situated, as

i: already remarked, at over 800 feet altitude, between the steep

r. sides of Ben Vorlich and Ben Vane, which rise abruptly from its

“margin on both sides; and many plants characteristic of the

86 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

alpine flora are common on its banks. One of its most striking
botanical features is the great abundance of the beautiful water
lobelia (Lobelia Dortmanna), which I do not remember ever
having seen to such perfection in any other locality. The other
place I wish to mention specially is the large swamp, already
referred to, between Ben Arthur and Ben Narnain, which forms
the source of the Allt-a-Bhalachain. I do not know if any of our
members have ever botanized in this particular station to any
extent, but I feel certain that it would repay an extensive examin-
ation. In July of this year I took a short survey of its margin
when ascending towards Ben Ime, but the time at my disposal
was not nearly sufficient to make an adequate search for plants.
One of the most interesting species observed growing amongst
the sphagnum here was Vaccinium uliginosum; whilst the bog-
bean (Menyanthes trifoliata) was very abundant, this being an
exceptional altitude at which to find this species—2,too feet.
The most abundant plant in the swamp (apart from sphagnum) is
the graceful Carex ampullacea.

With regard to the six mountain peaks included in the area
we are considering, it may be remarked that some have naturally
received more and closer attention than others. A few notes
regarding each of the hills may be in place here, as indicating
the general distribution of the alpine plants.

The most southerly peak is Ben Arthur, more familiarly known
as “The Cobbler,” remarkable for the fantastic form of its broken,
rocky summit, as seen from the east. This shattered ridge is
roughly divided into three portions, the central one being the
highest, with an altitude of 2,891 feet above sea-level. The whole © }
of this mass, from about 2,000 feet upwards, presents, to the east
and north, a series of rock-ledges and precipitous cliffs, broken by
stretches of stony ground, with a thin covering of humous soil—a
particularly favourable habitat for the growth of alpine forms of
vegetation. The eastern slope, facing Arrochar, has been pretty

well explored, but there is on the northern side a long talus-slope,

extending from near the bank of the Allt-a-Bhalachain right up
to the base of the gigantic, overhanging crag which forms the
crown of the northern peak, amongst the innumerable large
boulders of which many interesting plants have been found, and ~
which would probably repay further searching.

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. 87

Ben Narnain, immediately to the north of the ‘‘ Cobbler,” is
3,036 feet in height, and is remarkable for its curious flat table-like
top, flanked, on the east and south, by precipitous cliffs, and by
steep slopes on the north and west. The sides of this mountain
are marked by great crags, in the crevices of which many
interesting plants are found. Its north-eastern slope, above the
gully of the Allt-Sugach, has been well explored, and most of the
hill-plants of greatest interest in the district have been found in
this region.

As already remarked, Ben Narnain is joined by the rocky ridge
forming the boundary of the great Corrie to the next peak—that
of Crois, 2,785 feet in height, a mountain of very imposing aspect
as viewed from Inveruglas, where its steep northern face is seen
in bold profile. This effect is lost in the view from Glen Loin,
where it appears only as the culmination of the long ridge from
Narnain. The summit of Crois is mostly grassy, and does not
afford much in the way of rock-ledges or cliffs, except on its
southern side, where there is a large rock-face with sloping ledges,
rather rich in the less common hill plants.

Ben Ime, the most westerly of these peaks, is highest in altitude,
its summit being 3,318 feet above sea-level. On its most easily
accessible sides this mountain is grassy to the summit, with little
in the way of broken ground to favour the growth of the rarer
alpine plants. This is its aspect both from Glen Croe, and from
Coiregrogain, and, as its distance from Arrochar renders the peak
rather inaccessible, it has, until quite recently, been regarded as a
somewhat barren hill. A number of our members, however, have
made one or two excursions to the north-eastern side of the
summit, which is very different in character, being very steep and
rocky ; and, although this is perhaps the least explored part of the
district, the results of our searches have been already very
encouraging, and it seems certain that further work in this region
would add considerably to the list of plants recorded.

Ben Vane is a rocky mountain, 3,004 feet high, with a steep
southern face towards Coiregrogain, and sloping more gradually
toward the north. Nothing of outstanding interest is known to
occur upon this peak, but its rock-ledges afford shelter to many
of the most interesting plants of the district, and, perhaps, its most
attractive feature is that the special haunts of these plants are more

88 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

widely distributed over the slopes of this hill, than is the case with
any of the other peaks.

Ben Vorlich, the most northerly of our six mountains, covers a
larger area than any of the others, and from its picturesque
appearance, and the variety of its vegetation, is a most attractive
hunting ground for the enthusiast in alpine natural history. Its
proximity to Loch Lomond, and its easy accessibility from Ardlui,
probably accounts for the fact that it appears to have received
more attention from the older workers than any other hill of the
group. Indeed, this mountain is the only one, apart from Ben
Lomond and Goat Fell, which is specially mentioned in connec-
tion with the records of rare alpine species in the “Clydesdale
Flora.” Its summit attains an altitude of 3,092 feet, and its
eastern side is cut into by several deep gullies, richly wooded in
the lower part, and sheltering in their upper portions, at a high
elevation, several of the most interesting plants of the district.
The western side, sloping very steeply toward Loch Sloy, also has
many features of botanical interest. Although, as has been said,
Ben Vorlich was well explored by the older Clydesdale botanists,
it has, of late years, been somewhat neglected, probably from the
impression that nothing new is to be expected here. That this is,
in all probability, a mistake, is indicated by the fact that in July of
this year (1905), Mr. M‘Lean and I, in an all too-hurried explora-
tion of the hill, were able to add, at least, one species not before
recorded from its recesses.

The present list of the flora of this district does not profess
completeness, even as regards the commoner plants. I have
included all the species actually observed growing in the district,
so far as the fact has been noted. As, however, most of the
observations have been specially directed towards the recording
of the rarer plants, and as the excursions have been largely
confined to the early spring and mid-summer seasons, many plants
have probably been omitted which may be even abundant in the
district. This, doubtless, accounts for the absence of many
common species from the list, as for example, Galium cructatum,
G. verum, species of Myosotis, &c.

With regard to the commoner plants of the district, considerable
trouble has been taken to ascertain the altitudinal range of the
species upon these hills, and to distinguish between the plants

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. . 89

which ascend the mountains and those which are confined to the
lowland areas. Ina large number of cases the limits of altitude
have been determined, and, in all such cases, the highest point at
which the species was observed is given ; and, in the case of alpine
species, the lowest limit as well. It must, however, be carefully
borne in mind that these limits apply only to the hills specified,
and may not, in any one instance, agree with the altitudinal range
of the species in other localities. I am aware that questions of
altitude are apt to be dealt with erroneously when attention is
confined to a single district, and, more especially, when the locality
selected is of so restricted an area as the one we are dealing with ;
but, in order to a wider generalisation, it is of importance that the
facts with regard to definite localities should be accurately ascer-
tained, and from this point of view our present figures may not be
without value.

With reference to the vexed question of the definition of the
word “alpine” as applied to plant forms, I may explain that
throughout this list I have used the term to signify a plant which,
as regards these particular mountains, is confined to the higher
altitudes, not descending below 1,000 feet. It will be seen that
this does not in all cases correspond with the applicability of the
term in other localities. There are some species which are
frequently found at lower elevations in different parts of the
country, but which are here characterized as “alpine” from their
occurring in the Arrochar district only on the higher parts of the hills.

In the compilation of the list I have made use of all the material
to which I have been able to obtain access. In the great majority
of cases, the species has been gathered by myself in the locality
indicated ; in other instances I have given the source from which
the information is derived. I would take this opportunity of
expressing my indebtedness to those members of the Society whose
notes have been freely placed at my disposal, for their valuable
assistance in making the list as complete as possible. Doubtless
there are many important omissions, and I shall be greatly pleased
if the present paper is instrumental in bringing to light any further
information at present unrecorded.

I have to acknowledge, in particular, my indebtedness to
Mr. P. Ewing, for his invaluable assistance with some of the larger
critical groups, such as Hieracium, Salix, and Carex.

go FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

THALICTRUM ALPINUM, L.
Alpine.—Frequent in moist parts amongst grass, near springs,
and by the side of the streams. Occurs on each of the six
mountains, extending upwards from about 1,200 feet, and attaining
an altitude of 2,900 feet on Ben Ime.

ANEMONE NEMOROSA, L.

A characteristic plant of the mountain streams, especially in
shady places at a moderate elevation, where it attains great
luxuriance. Ascends to 2,600 feet on Ben Narnain.

RANUNCULUS FLAMMULA, L.

Common in marshy places throughout the district, ascending
to 2,000 feet on Ben Arthur.

RANUNCULUS AcRIS, L.

Common throughout the district, and attaining great luxuriance
in the alpine pastures, especially in wet places at a high elevation.
Ascends to 3,000 feet on Ben Ime.

RANUNCULUS REPENS, L.

Roadsides and borders of fields, mostly in the low ground, but
ascending the hills to some distance. Noted at 1,400 feet on
Ben Narnain.

RanuNcuLus Ficaria, L,

Probably common in the district, but not observed on account

of its early-flowering period. Noted on Ben Vorlich at goo feet.

CALTHA PALUSTRIS, L.
Marshes, and occasionally near springs on the mountains.
Ascends to 2,500 feet on Ben Arthur.
TROLLIUS EUROPAUS, L.

Common on the banks of streams, especially in parts of the
Allt-Sugach, where it is very luxuriant. The species, however,
does not appear to ascend to high elevations, the greatest altitude
noted being 1,800 feet on Ben Vane.

CorRYDALIS CLAVICULATA, D.C.
Banks of Loch Lomond at Tarbet.

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. gI

NASTURTIUM OFFICINALE, R.Br.

Common in ditches and watery places. Ascends to 2,900 feet
on Ben Ime.
CARDAMINE PRATENSIS, L.

Frequent throughout the district, and ascending the hills to
some distance. At a moderate elevation it is a not uncommon
plant of the rock ledges. Noted at 2,000 feet on Crois.

CARDAMINE HIRSUTA, L.

Very abundant on walls and banks around Arrochar and
Tarbet. Ascends to 1,000 feet on Ben Vorlich.

COCHLEARIA OFFICINALIS, L.

On the shore, near the mouth of the Glen Loin burn. Not
abundant.

CocHLEARIA ALPINA, Wats.

Alpine, and confined to high altitudes, not descending below
2,000 feet. This is a sub-species (perhaps merely an alpine form)
of C. officinalis, L., differing from the sea-shore plant principally
in the shape of the pods, which are oblong and narrowed at both
ends, instead of being almost globose as in that plant. C. alpina
is fairly abundant on the Arrochar peaks, though not growing on
the actual summit in any instance. The highest altitude noted
is 3,000 feet on Ben Ime.

SISYMBRIUM OFFICINALE, Scop.
On waste ground near the shore, at Arrochar.

CAPSELLA BURSA-PASTORIS, Mcench.
Roadsides and edges of fields ; not ascending.

VIOLA PALUSTRIS, L.
Very common all over the district, and at all altitudes, attaining
over 3,300 feet on the summit of Ben Ime. This violet is a
characteristic plant of moist alpine pastures, especially at a high
elevation. It occurs also in wet meadows associated with Juncus
acutifiorus, and beds of Eriophorum.

VIOLA SYLVATICA, Fries.

a Common in woods, along the banks of streams, and on rock-
_ ledges. Ascends to 2,700 feet on Ben Arthur.

92 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

POLYGALA VULGARIS, L.

Common on the moors, ascending to 2,000 feet on Ben Arthur

and Ben Narnain. Both the blue and white-flowered varieties are

common throughout the district. The red-flowered form is
frequent also, but mostly at a low elevation.

SILENE ACAULIS, L.

Alpine.—Frequent, and generally distributed over the higher
parts of the mountains, where it forms dense, cushion-like patches
in open, sunny situations. Its lower limit of altitude appears to
be about 1,800 feet, at which elevation it was noted on Crois. It
ascends to 3,000 feet on Ben Ime and Ben Vorlich.

LYCHNIS DIURNA, Sibth.
Abundant in the woods in Glen Loin, and common in other
parts. This plant occurs also, but not abundantly, on the alpine
ledges, ascending to 2,700 feet on Ben Arthur.

Lycunis FLos-cucuti, L.
Wet meadows in Glen Loin, abundant.

CERASTIUM VULGATUM, L.
Roadside near Succoth farm. Apparently uncommon in the

district.
CERASTIUM VISCOSUM, L.

Abundant throughout the district. Ascending to 2,900 feet on

Ben Ime.
CERASTIUM ALPINUM, L.

Recorded in the first appendix to the ‘‘ Clydesdale Flora” from
Ben Vorlich, upon which mountain I found it in 1892, but did
not take note of the altitude. Mr. M‘Lean and I gathered it last
year on Ben Ime at 2,800 feet. So far, these appear to be the
only records for this species on these hills.

STELLARIA MEDIA, Vill.
Cultivated fields and roadsides. Low ground only.

STELLARIA Ho.osTgEa, L.
In woods and bushy places. Not ascending to high elevations.

STELLARIA GRAMINEA, L.
Bushy places, common. Ascends to 1,000 feet on Ben Arthur.

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. 93

STELLARIA ULIGINOSA, Murr.
Bogs, and wet places, especially abundant near mountain
springs. Ascends to 2,600 feet on Ben Ime.

CHERLERIA SEDOIDES, L.
Recorded in the “Clydesdale Flora” (App. II.) from Ben

Vorlich.
SAGINA PROCUMBENS, L.

Dry banks, rocks and walls. Abundant in the low ground.

MonTIA FONTANA, L.
In springs and rills. Ascending to 2,300 feet on Ben Narnain.

Hypericum ANDROS&MUM, L.

Shady places in Glen Loin, and on the banks of Loch Lomond.
Not ascending the hills.

HYPERICUM HUMIFUSUM, L.

Banks and copses, not common. Low ground only.

HYPERICUM PULCHRUM, L.
Very abundant in boggy pastures on the lower slope of the hills.
Not ascending to high altitudes.

TILIA VULGARIS, Hayne.
Not common. A number of trees of this species grow on the
roadsides near the villages.

LINUM CATHARTICUM, L.

Common amongst grass on the hill-pastures. Ascends to 2,200
feet on Crois.

GERANIUM SYLVATICUM, L.

This is a characteristic plant of mountain streams, growing usually
in company with the anemone and the great wood-rush, on shady
ledges near waterfalls, etc. It is generally distributed in wood-
land situations in the district, and ascends to over 2,000 feet.
The highest altitude noted is 2,600 feet on Ben Ime.

a GERANIUM PRATENSE, L.

Found near Arrochar on the occasion of an excursion of this
¥ Society a number of years ago. The species is not common, and
does not ascend the hills.

a

94 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

GERANIUM MOLLE, L.
Frequent around Arrochar. Low ground only.

GERANIUM ROBERTIANUM, L.

The herb-Robert, although our commonest geranium in lowland
situations, does not appear to be a mountain-loving species. Our
only record for the hills is at 800 feet in the woods on Ben
Vorlich,

OxaLis ACETOSELLA, L.

The wood-sorrel is a common plant on the mountains, where,
in shady places in the crevices of rocks, etc., it usually grows
plentifully. Shade appears to be its most essential requirement.
The species attains an altitude of 3,000 feet on Ben Ime.

ILEx AQUIFOLIUM, L.

The holly is extensively grown in hedges and gardens in the
district, and may be in all cases an introduction. It is, however,
perfectly naturalized in many places, and is particularly abundant
on the banks of Loch Lomond. On the hills it is not at all
uncommon, but usually confined to low elevations. One or two
fine specimens, however, were observed by Mr. M‘Lean and
myself on Ben Ime at an altitude of 2,000 feet. Mr. Herriot
informs me that he observed traces of what may be the remains
of former habitation near the place where we observed these holly
bushes; which may account for their presence in this unusual
habitat.

ACER PSEUDO-PLATANUS, L.

Frequent around Arrochar and Tarbet. Not on the hills.

ULEX EUROPUS, L.

Common on the lower slopes of the hills facing Loch Lomond
and Loch Long, but not ascending to high altitudes. There isa
very fine “avenue” of gorse bushes on the road near Ardgartan,
on the western side of Loch Long. These bushes attain a height
of nearly seven feet, and form stems of considerable thickness.
Their effect when in full bloom is gorgeous.

CyTisus scopaRius, Link.

Common in the woods and by streams, at a low altitude. Not
ascending.

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. 95

TRIFOLIUM PRATENSE, L.

Pastures and fields. Ascending to 1,100 feet on Crois.

TRIFOLIUM REPENS, L.
Pastures and fields. Ascending to 1,300 feet on Crois.

LOTUS CORNICULATUS, L.

Abundant in pastures, everywhere. Ascending to 2,300 feet in
Corrie Sugach.
Lotus Major, Sm.

Plentiful in moist places on the roadsides. Low ground only.

Vicia Cracca, L.
In hedges and bushy places. Low ground only.

VICIA SEPIUM, L.
Bushy places. Low ground only.

LATHYRUS PRATENSIS, L.

4
},

Roadsides and borders of fields. Not ascending.

LATHYRUS MACRORRHIZUS, Wimm.

Shady places on the banks of mountain streams, and ledges of
cliffs. Ascends to 1,200 feet on Ben Arthur.

PRUNUS sPINOSA, L.
» Glen Loin. Low ground only.

Prunus Avium, L.
Not common. Banks of Loch Lomond.

SPIRZA ULMARIA, L.

Common near streams, and in wet meadows, ascending the hills
to some distance, but not attaining very high altitudes. Noted at
2,200 feet on Crois.

Rusvus 1D#£vs, L.

Not common, and apparently confined to the low ground. A
specimen was, however, observed on the banks of Allt-a-Bhalachain,
at about 700 feet.

96 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

RUBUS FRUTICOSUS (sensu laxo).

Information is not available regarding the distribution of the
various forms of bramble in the district. They all appear, however,
to be confined to low elevations, as no member of this group was
observed on the hills above 1,000 feet.

RUBUS SAXATILIS, L.

This species is common on the hills, growing in rock-crevices.
It is most abundant between 1,000 and 1,500 feet, but specimens
were found at 2,300 feet on Ben Vorlich, and at 2,700 feet on
Ben Arthur.

Rusus CHAM&MorRUwS, L.

Alpine, and apparently uncommon on the Arrochar mountains,
although this species is abundant on the hills between Loch Long
and Loch Lomond immediately to the south of the district. Its
only records within our bounds at present are, Ben Arthur, 2,200
feet (see Report of a recent excursion of this Society), and Ben
Vane, 2,800 feet.

GEUM URBANUM, L.

In woods. Low ground only.

GEUM RIVALE, L.

_ Common on the banks of mountain streams. Ascends to 2,700
feet on Ben Arthur.

FRAGARIA VESCA, L.

On rocks and banks at low levels. Ascends the slope of Ben
Narnain in Allt-Sugach to 400 feet.

POTENTILLA TORMENTILLA, Sibth.

Abundant everywhere, and at all altitudes, growing on all the
summits except that of Ben Ime, on which hill it is common
except.on the very top. This is one of the most characteristic
plants of the hill-pastures and moors, but is not confined to the
open, as it occurs in abundance also in bushy places, and in woods. _
Nor does the presence or absence of abundant moisture appear to
affect its distribution, for it grows freely both in wet and dry
places, although it becomes longer in the stem and more loose in
habit when growing in very wet situations.

aa

PLATE II.

From Photo. by] BEN VORLICH AND LOCH SLOY, FROM = [Robert M*Lean.
CRUACH-TAIRBEIRT, S.E.

From Photo. by] ALLT-COIREGROGAIN AND BEN IME. (Geo. Herriot.

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. 97

POTENTILLA ANSERINA, L.
Roadsides and borders of fields in the low ground, not
ascending.
SIBBALDIA PROCUMBENS, L.
Alpine.—Found only at high elevations. Ben Narnain, 2,700
feet ; Ben Vorlich, 3,000 feet. Plentiful on both these mountains,
but hitherto not recorded elsewhere in the district.

COMARUM PALUSTRE, L.
Moist pastures in Glen Loin.

ALCHEMILLA VULGARIS, L.
Common, and ascending the hills to over 2,000 feet. Noted at
2,700 feet on Ben Arthur.

ALCHEMILLA ALPINA, L.

Very abundant on the higher parts throughout the district, but
_ not strictly alpine, as it descends as low as 650 feet on Crois. On
_ the banks of Loch Sloy it is abundant, and on the slopes of Ben
_ Vorlich above Loch Lomond it was noted at 700 feet. In dry,
_ open situations it forms a dense carpet, to the exclusion of other
_ plants, as on the top of Cruach Tarbet, where it is particularly
; plentiful. This species occurs on the actual summits of all these
hills, except that of Ben Ime, its highest altitude noted on that
mountain being 3,000 feet.

ROSA TOMENTOSA, Sm.
Frequent. Low ground only.

Rosa CANINA, L.
All the varieties of dog-rose appear to be strictly lowland. The

Pyrus AucuparRiaA, Ehrh.
The rowan attains a higher altitude in the district than any other
"tree, although, unlike the birch, it never forms woodland. When
towing in association with other trees at a low elevation, or in
ee gorges of the streams, it frequently attains considerable
dimensions ; but at higher altitudes it is usually small and stunted.
‘It ascends to 2,700 feet on Ben Arthur.

B

98 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

Pyrus Matus, L.

The wild apple is common on Loch Lomond side, probably as
a relic of former cultivation. A specimen was noted at 400 feet
on Ben Vorlich.

CRAT&GUS OXYACANTHA, L.

The hawthorn is common throughout the lower parts of the
district, the highest altitude noted being 500 feet on Ben Vorlich.

SAXIFRAGA OPPOSITIFOLIA, L.

Alpine.—Occurring on all the six mountains in the district,
Mr. Brown having gathered it this year for the first time on Ben
Arthur. It is fairly common on the other peaks from about 2,000
to 2,500 feet altitude, but ascends to 2,700 feet on Ben Vane, and
to 3,000 feet on Ben Ime. Below 2,000 feet it becomes rare, but
descends as low as 1,500 feet on Crois. Mr. Nisbet reports
having seen the species as low as 400 feet in the bed of the Allt-
Sugach, evidently washed down by the stream. This, however, is
exceptional.

SAXIFRAGA STELLARIS, L.

Alpine.—The most widely distributed saxifrage in Britain, both
in altitude and area. This species is usually met with on our hills
from about 2,0o00 feet upwards. It is characteristic of moist

invariable inhabitant of cold springs. It does not usually descend
much below 2,000 feet, but was noted at 1,800 feet on Ben Vorlich. —
It ascends to the tops of the mountains, and was noted on the
actual summits of Ben Ime, Ben Vane, and Ben Vorlich.

SAXIFRAGA AIZOIDES, L.

This, although a truly mountain species, is frequently seen q
growing at low altitudes, sometimes even descending almost to —
sea-level. Its special habitats are wet rocks, springs, the beds of —
streams, in the spray of waterfalls, etc. It is common on the iam
Arrochar hills, ascending to 2,800 feet on Ben Ime.

SAXIFRAGA HYPNOIDES, L.

Alpine.—This species appears to be restricted to high altitudes —
in the Arrochar district, although found at lower elevations else- —

where in the Clyde area. So far the only records for these 4

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. 99

mountains are Ben Arthur, 2,300 feet, Ben Ime, 3,000 feet, and
Ben Vane, 2,700 feet.

CHRYSOSPLENIUM OPPOSITIFOLIUM, L.

Common on wet rocks and banks, and near springs, throughout
the district, Ascends to high altitudes, attaining 3,000 feet on

Ben Ime.
. PARNASSIA PALUSTRIS, L.

Frequent in marshy places on the mountains. Ascends to
2,200 feet on Ben Ime.

SEpDuM RuopioLa, D.C.
Alpine.—Common on cliffs and rock-ledges from about. 1,500
feet upwards. Ascends to 3,000 feet on Ben Ime.

SEDUM ANGLICUM, Huds.
Rocks on the shore, and on the hillsides facing Loch Long.
Ascends to 800 feet on Cruach Tarbet.

SEDUM ACRE, L.
Rocks and walls at the head of Loch Long. Does not ascend.

DROSERA ROTUNDIFOLIA, L.

Very abundant on the moors, amongst sphagnum. Ascends to
2,000 feet on Ben Arthur.

MyRIOPHYLLUM SPICATUM, L.
Plentiful in Loch Lomond.

CALLITRICHE VERNA, L.
Ditches on the roadsides.

EPILOBIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM, L.
Alpine.—Rock-ledges on Ben Vorlich, altitude 2,100 feet.

EPILOBIUM MONTANUM, L.
Common on rocks and banks at low levels, but does not ascend
the hills to any considerable extent.

EPILOBIUM TETRAGONUM, L.

Common on the roadsides around Arrochar and Tarbet. Also
in Glen Loin, etc. Doubtful forms, apparently referable to this
_ species, or perhaps hybrids with Z. palustre, are not infrequent,
but all confined to the low ground.

100 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

EPILOBIUM PALUSTRE, L.

In marshes and wet meadows, general, but nowhere abundant.
Typical forms of this species are mostly found on the hills, but
occur also in Glen Loin and Glen Croe. It ascends to 2,000 feet
on Ben Narnain.

EPILOBIUM ALPINUM, L.

Alpine.—Found on Ben Narnain, Ben Ime, and Ben Vane,
and probably occurring also on the other peaks. This species is
a common feature of cold springs at a high altitude, but from its
small size is probably often overlooked. It may be looked for in
rills, etc., from about 2,000 feet upwards, the highest point at
which it has been noted in the district being 2,800 feet on Ben

Ime.
CIRC#A LUTETIANA, L.

Abundant in the woods in Glen Loin.

SANICULA EUROPA, L.

Common in the woods at a low elevation. Noted on the banks
of the Allt-a-Bhalachain on the occasion of the Society’s excursion
in May of this year, but the altitude was not observed.

CARUM VERTICILLATUM, Koch.

Very abundant all over the lower slopes of the hills, and
particularly in Glen Croe. This is perhaps the most abundant
plant of this order in the district, but does not ascend the hills
to any great distance.

AXGOPODIUM PopocGRarRIA, L.
Noted near Arrochar, but not common.

BUNIUM FLEXuOsUM, With.

Grass pastures, and on the drier parts of the hills near the base.
Ascends to 600 feet on Ben Narnain.

MyYRRHIS ODORATA, Scop.
Near Succoth farm in Glen Loin.

ANTHRISCUS SYLVESTRIS, Hoffm.
Hedges and roadsides. Low ground only.

I LCI TOL INE AE IE Ae > a

—————————————————

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS, Io!

CENANTHE cCRocATA, L.

Shores of Loch Long, and banks of a stream near Succoth.

ANGELICA SYLVESTRIS, L.

Banks of streams and alpine ledges. Common throughout
the district. Ascends to 2,200 feet on Crois.

HERACLEUM SPHONDYLIUM, L.

Common in pastures and fields in the low ground, but does
not ascend the hills.

HEDERA HELIX, L.

Trunks of trees and rocks in the shade. The ivy is very
abundant wherever the woodland extends, and is occasionally
met with climbing the ledges of cliffs on the lower parts of the
hills, but does not ascend to high altitudes.

Cornus suecica, L.

Alpine.—I found this species in July of this year at an altitude
of 2,200 feet on Ben Vorlich. This appears to be the only record
for these hills, unless the entry in the Brit. Ass. Handbook (B,
Loch Long, Balfour Ex.) refers to the Arrochar mountains.

VipurNuM OPputus, L.

Frequent in the woods on Loch Lomond side.

LONICERA PERICLYMENUM, L.

In woods and bushy places. Common along the banks of the
mountain streams. The limits of its altitudinal range have not
been determined.

GALIUM BOREALE, L.

A mountain species, but descending to low levels. Noted at
200 feet on the banks of Allt-Sugach. This, however, is perhaps
exceptional. This is perhaps the most beautiful of our British
bedstraws, and forms a striking object when in full flower on the
rock-ledges. It has been found on four of the Arrochar peaks,
viz., Ben Narnain, Crois, Ben Vane, and Ben Vorlich, attaining

2,000 feet on the last-named mountain.

102 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

GALIUM SAXATILE, L.

The most abundant plant of the hills, growing luxuriantly and
flowering profusely at all altitudes, and in every conceivable
habitat. Spreading over all parts of the moors, wet and dry—in
the recesses of the woods, and on sphagnum bogs—trailing over
dry rocks near the seashore, and on the moist humus at the
summits of the mountains, the ubiquitous heath-bedstraw carpets
the ground everywhere with its dainty clusters of small white
flowers and slender trailing stems. Hooker gives 3,700 feet as
the altitudinal limit of this species in Britain—a height not attained
by any of these mountains. Certainly on the exposed summit of
Ben Ime it seems perfectly at home.

GaLiumM WITHERINGI, Sm.

Wet places in Glen Loin ; not ascending the hills.

GaLiuM APARINE, L.

Roadsides, borders of fields, and hedges ; low ground only.

ASPERULA opDoRATA, L.

Frequent in the woods on Loch Lomond side and in Glen
Loin. Not observed on the hills.

VALERIANA OFFICINALIS, L.

Common by the side of streams. Altitudinal range not deter-
mined.

VALERIANELLA OLITORIA, Poll.

On walls facing the sea at the head of Loch Long.

SCABIOSA SUCCISA, L.

Common on pastures and moors throughout the district, ascend-
ing to 2,000 feet on the mountains.

SoLIDAGO CAMBRICA, Huds.

Forms of the golden-rod agreeing most nearly with the descrip-
tion of this species are common on these hills. The differences
between this and the type of S. Virgaurea, Z., however, are not
clearly defined. The mountain plant has usually a shorter stem,

a

I
&
i
}

St ee oe

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. 103

the panicle being less branched, and the flower-heads much larger.
Low-ground plants, growing on the rocks on Loch Lomond side
are frequently taller, but the flower-heads, although less in size
than when growing in alpine situations are, so far as I have
observed, always larger than those of the type, as we find it, say,
on the banks of the Clyde. Distinctions founded upon the
serration and ciliation of the leaves appear to be worthless, as the
plants are very variable in these respects, the leaves of the same
plant frequently differing to a considerable extent. The short-
stemmed, large-flowered form common on the rock-ledges at from
1,500 to 2,000 feet, is an exceedingly handsome object. The
highest altitude noted for this species is 2,300 feet on Ben Arthur.

BELLIS PERENNIS, L.

The altitudinal range of the daisy is, curiously enough, a point
which does not seem to be very satisfactorily determined. The
Brit. Ass. Handbook states that it occurs in district ““B” up to
600 feet, whilst Hooker (Students’ Flora) says, “ascends to near
3,000 feet in the Highlands.” This latter altitude is never attained,
so far as I am aware, in any part of our western highlands. Last
year, I observed the daisy in fine flower on the slope of Ben
Arthur above Glen Croe, at an altitude of considerably over 1,000
feet, but the exact height was not noted. This year the highest
point at which the species was observed was at 1,300 feet on Ben
Vane.

ASTER TRIPOLIUM, L.

Common on the seashore at the head of Loch Long.

ANTENNARIA pDIoIca, Br.

Apparently chiefly alpine, but not exclusively so. Ascends to
2,600 feet on Crois. A plant of dry, grassy moors; not common.

GNAPHALIUM SYLVATICUM, L.

Not common. Borders of fields and waste places. Low
ground only.

GNAPHALIUM SUPINUM, L.

Alpine, and confined to the stony summits. A characteristic
plant of the mountain tops, and very striking in appearance from
its white, cottony stems and leaves, and small golden-brown
capitula, although its dwarf size renders it rather inconspicuous.

104 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS,

It occurs on all the peaks, and is found on the actual summit of
all, except Crois. It does not appear to descend lower than
2,300 feet.

ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM, L.

Common in fields and grassy moors at a low elevation only.

ACHILLEA PTARMICA, L.
Sides of fields and near streams, ascending to 600 feet on Ben
Vorlich.
CHRYSANTHEMUM LEUCANTHEMUM, L.
Common in fields and pastures. Low ground only.

MATRICARIA INODORA, L.
Waste ground near Arrochar.

TussILaco Farrara, L.
Not common. Waste ground near the railway station. Not
found on the hills.
SENECIO VULGARIS, L.

Ditches and roadsides near the villages, and waste places on
the shore. Not ascending the hills.

SENECIO JacoB#a, L.
Pastures, etc. Low ground only.

SENECIO AQuATICUS, Huds.
Wet places between Arrochar and Tarbet. Not common.

CNICUS LANCEOLATUS, Hoffm.

In pastures, and on open grassy moors. Not found at high
altitudes, but limits not determined.

CNICUS PALUSTRIS, Hoffm.

Marshy places and wet meadows. Common. Ascending to
about 1,000 feet or perhaps higher. Limits not determined.

CNICUS HETEROPHYLLUS, Willd.
On the side of Ben Vorlich, above Loch Lomond, at aba
800 feet ; also at 2,300 feet on Crois. Probably occurring else-
where in the district, but not recorded.

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. 105

CNICUS ARVENSIS, Hoffm.
Waste ground and dry pastures at a low elevation.

SAUSSUREA’ ALPINA, D.C.

Alpine, and confined to the rock-ledges. Recorded in the
British Association Handbook for Ben Arthur. Found also on
Ben Narnain at 2,500 feet, and on Crois at 2,200. These appear
to be the only records for the district meantime ; but the species
may be found in other parts as they become more fully explored.
This is one of the most interesting and attractive of our alpine
plants.

CENTAUREA NIGRA, L.

Bushy places, sides of streams, and rock-ledges. Ascending

the hills some distance, but limits of altitude not determined.

LAPSANA COMMUNIS, L.
Roadsides, etc. Low ground only.

CREPIS VIRENS, L.

Borders of fields and roadsides in the low ground ; not ascend-
ing the hills.

CREPIS PALUDOSA, Moench.

In woods and shady places beside the mountain streams.
Common. This handsome plant is a striking feature of the shady
grottoes beside waterfalls, etc., and ascends to a considerable
height on the mountains. Noted at 2,300 feet on Ben Arthur.

HIERACIUM PILOSELLA, L.

Banks and pastures at a low elevation. Not ascending the
hills.
HIERACIUM HOLOSERICEUM, Back.
Alpine.—On cliffs in Corrie Sugach at 2,500 feet altitude. Also
on Ben Vorlich, altitude 2,300 feet.

HIERACIUM CHRYSANTHUM, Back.

Alpine.—A variety, apparently referable to this species, was
gathered on Ben Arthur at 2,700 feet; also on Ben Vorlich,
2,000 feet.

HIERACIUM SENESCENS, Back.

Alpine.—Cliffs on Crois, 2,200 feet ; Ben Vorlich, 2,300 feet.

106 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

HIERACIUM ANGLICUM, Fries.
Common on the banks of the streams at a moderate elevation,
and on alpine cliffs. Ascends to 2,300 feet on Ben Vorlich.

HIERACIUM MURORUM, L.
A variety of this species (probably H. xitidum, Back.) occurs
on Ben Vorlich at 2,000 feet. A plant was also gathered on
Cruach-Tarbet, apparently identical, at about goo feet.

HIERACIUM SYLVATICUM, Sm.
A very variable plant. Forms of this species are abundant in
the woods and by streams at a low elevation, but do not ascend to

high altitudes.
HIERACIUM CROCATUM, Fries.

Reported by Mr. L. Watt from the “head of Loch Long,” in
the “Clydesdale Flora” (App. II.).—I do not know if this plant
was found within our boundaries.

HIERACIUM BOREALE, Fries.
A plant of this species was noted in the woods on Loch

Lomond side.
HyYPOCHERIS RADICATA, L.

Banks, pastures, and sides of streams, also in the woods; very
common. This beautiful plant ascends the hills to about 1,000
feet, but the exact limits of altitude have not been noted.

LEONTODON AUTUMNALIS, L.

Common on the moors, particularly so at a high altitude, where
it seems rather partial to moisture. Ascending to 3,000 feet on
Ben Vorlich. ;

TARAXACUM OFFICINALE, Web.

The dandelion is fairly common beside the streams, and on the
rock-ledges, up to about 2,000 feet. The highest point at which
it was noted was at 2,700 feet on Ben Arthur. Both the ordinary
form of the plant, and the variety ja/ustre, with adpressed
involucre, are found on the hills, and occur in similar situations,
occasionally even near one another in the same habitat.

LoBELIA DorTMANNA, L.
Very plentiful in Loch Sloy. Recorded also in the “ Clydesdale
Flora” for Loch Lomond, but locality not given.

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. 107

CAMPANULA ROTUNDIFOLIA, L.

Common on banks, pastures, and rocks. Ascending to 3,000
feet on Ben Ime.

VACCINIUM VITIS-ID#A, L.

The cowberry is fairly abundant on the hills, but not common
at low levels. From about 1,500 feet upwards it becomes a
feature of the rock-flora, usually forming considerable clumps on
the drier ledges. It nowhere forms great masses on these
mountains, however, extending over a wide area, as is the case on
other hills in the Scottish highlands. This species extends
upwards to 2,800 feet on Ben Narnain, and almost to the same
altitude on Ben Arthur and on Crois, being one of the summit
plants on this last-mentioned hill.

VACCINIUM ULIGINOSUM, L.

Alpine.—Plentiful on all the mountains except Crois, where it
has not yet been observed. Although its specific name indicates
that this is a marsh plant, it is mostly found on rocks in the
Arrochar district. It grows, however, in the swamp at the source
of Allt-a-Bhalachain on Ben Arthur. It nowhere descends to a
low level, the lowest point observed being 1,900 feet on Ben
Narnain, and the same on Ben Vorlich. It ascends to 2,600 feet
on Ben Narnain.

VACCINIUM MyrtTILuus, L.

The common bilberry is plentiful all over the district, and
ascends to the summit of all the mountains, hence attaining over
3,300 feet on Ben Ime.

CALLUNA VULGARIS, Salisb.

The heather occurs pretty generally throughout the district, but
does not form true heather-moors except on Cruach-Tarbet, and
on the eastern side of Ben Vorlich. These moors do not attain
an elevation of more than 1,000 feet, but the species occurs up to
2,000 feet on Ben Arthur and Ben Narnain.

ERICA TETRALIX, L.

Common on the moors up to about 1,000 feet, but not covering
large areas except on Cruach-Tarbet.

108 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

ERICA CINEREA, L.
Very plentiful in woods and on rocks at a low elevation, par-
ticularly so on Loch Lomond side. Not common on the hills,
and not ascending to high altitudes.

ARMERIA VULGARIS, Willd.
Alpine.—Apparently confined to the high altitudes in this
district, as it does not occur on the shore within our boundary.
The following are the only places at which it has hitherto been
noted: Ben Arthur, 2,200 feet; Ben Ime, 2,900 feet; Ben Vane,
2,700 feet.
PRIMULA VULGARIS, Huds.
In woods, and beside the streams, common. Ascending to
1,200 feet on Crois.

LyYsIMACHIA NEMORUM, L.

Abundant on the hillsides in the lower parts, and ascending to
1,000 feet on Cruach-Tarbet.

GLAUX MARITIMA, L.
On the shore at the head of Loch Long.

FRAXINUS EXCELSIOR, L.

Common in the woods and throughout the low-lying parts of the
district, but not ascending to high levels. The ash is a con-
spicuous feature of the roadside near Arrochar, and one magnificent
example is to be seen in front of the Temperance Hotel in the
village. This tree is one of the largest of its species in the west
of Scotland, and is referred to in Volume I. of the “ Annals of
the Andersonian Naturalists’ Society,” page 63.

LIGUSTRUM VULGARE, L.
Frequent in hedges and in the woods, flowering freely.
Probably an introduction in all cases.
MENYANTHES TRIFOLIATA, L.
Common in bogs and swampy places. Ascends to 2,100 feet
on Ben Arthur.
Myosoris PALUSTRIS, With.
Watery places in Glen Loin.

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. 109g

MyYosoTIS REPENS, Don.

In a ditch in Glen Croe, near the school-house.

MYoSsoTIS VERSICOLOR, Reich.
Cultivated fields in Glen Loin.

CALYSTEGIA SEPIUM, Br.

Shores of Loch Long, at Arrochar and Ardgartan.

SCROPHULARIA NODOSA, L.

Common in the woods. Low ground only.

SCROPHULARIA EHRHARTI, Stev.

A single plant of this species, evidently a casual, was found
beside some rubbish near the road on the Argyllshire side of
Loch Long.

DIGITALIS PURPUREA, L.

Common in woods and bushy places. Ascending to 1,200 feet
on Ben Vane.

VERONICA ARVENSIS, L.

Banks and wall-tops around Arrochar and Tarbet. Very
abundant. Not ascending the hills.

VERONICA SERPYLLIFOLIA, L.

Ditches and moist places on walls in the low ground.

VERONICA HUMIFUSA, Dicks.

Alpine.—A sub-species, or perhaps merely an alpine form of
V. serpyliifolia, from which it differs in the much larger flowers
and decumbent rooting stems. Found in July of this year on
Ben Ime at an altitude of 2,800 feet.

VERONICA OFFICINALIS, L.

Very common on banks and rocks. Ascending to 2,000 feet
on Crois.
VERONICA CHAM#DRYS, L.

Abundant throughout the lower parts of the district, but not
ascending the hills.

IIo FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

EUPHRASIA OFFICINALIS, L.

I have not attempted an analysis of the forms of this variable
plant. It is very common all over the district, and ascends to
2,500 feet on Ben Arthur.

PEDICULARIS PALUSTRIS, L.

Common in wet pastures and marshes, but mostly confined to
the low ground. Ascends to 600 feet on Ben Vorlich.

PEDICULARIS SYLVATICA, L.
Very common on the hills, and ascending to some distance,
but limits of altitude not determined.
RHINANTHUS CRISTA-GALLI, L.
Frequent. Altitudinal range not determined.

MELAMPYRUM PRATENSE, L.

Very abundant in the woods on Loch Lomond side. Frequent
also in other parts, and ascending to 2,000 feet on Ben Arthur.
On the mountains this plant occurs principally amongst rocks in
shady situations.

PINGUICULA VULGARIS, L.

In bogs and on wet rocks. Very plentiful. Ascending to
2,300 feet on Ben Arthur.

LyCOPUS EUROP£US, L.
Waste ground near the shore at the head of Loch Long.

THyMuUsS SERPYLLUM, L.

Very abundant on dry banks and rocks all over the district,
and ascending to 3,000 feet on Ben Ime.

SCUTELLARIA GALERICULATA, L.
Waste ground at the head of Loch Long.

PRUNELLA VULGARIS, L.
Roadsides and pastures. Ascending to 1,990 feet on Crois.

STACHYS SYLVATICA, L.

Common in bushy places, etc. Ascends to 700 feet on Ben
Narnain.

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. Iit

GALEOPSIS VERSICOLOR, Curt.
Cultivated ground in Glen Loin.

GALEopsis TETRAHIT, L.
Cultivated fields, Glen Loin.

TEUCRIUM ScoRoponliA, L.
This plant is very common on dry rocks in the shade, and in
crevices of alpine cliffs. It ascends to a considerable height on
‘the mountains, but its altitudinal limits have not been ascertained.

AJUGA REPTANS, L.

Moist places in the woods and beside the streams. Very
common, and ascending to 600 feet on Crois.

PLANTAGO major, L.
Roadsides, waste places, and borders of fields ; not ascending

the hills.
PiantaGo LanceoxatTa, L.

This is the most abundant species of the genus in the district,
and is common all over the hills up to a considerable altitude, but
its upper limit has not been ascertained.

PLANTAGO MARITIMA, L.

This species is often found on lofty mountains at a high
altitude, but does not appear to be present at great heights on
these hills. It is abundant on the slopes of Ben Vorlich near the

base.
LITORELLA LACUSTRIS, L.

Shores of Loch Lomond and Loch Sloy ; abundant.

ATRIPLEX BaBINGTONII, Woods.
On the seashore at the head of Loch Long.

POLYGONUM AVICULARE, L.
Waste places and borders of fields ; low ground only.

PoLtyconum Hypropiprr, L.
Common in ditches and watery places. Not on the hills.

PoLyconum Persicaria, L.
Cultivated ground, Glen Loin, etc. Not on the hills.

II2 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

POLYGONUM LAPATHIFOLIUM, L.

Waste ground near the shore at Arrochar, and in Glen Loin.

POLYGONUM VIVIPARUM, L.

Alpine.—This species is not at all common on these mountains,
but occurs on Crois and on Ben Ime, and may probably be found
on the other hills. The altitude has not been noted.

OXyYRIA RENIFORMIS, Hook.

Alpine.—Very abundant along the watercourses from about
1,500 feet upwards. Ascends to over 2,800 feet on Ben Arthur.

RUMEX OBTUSIFOLIUS, L.
Waste places ; low ground only.

RUMEX cRISPUS, L.

Waste ground, especially near the seashore ; low ground only.

Rumex Acetosa, L.

Common everywhere in pastures and alpine moors, ascending
to high altitudes. It occurs on the extreme summits of all the
hills except Ben Narnain—hence attaining over 3,300 feet on Ben
Ime.

RUMEX ACETOSELLA, L.

Dry banks and wall-tops ; low ground only.

MERCURIALIS PERENNIS, L.

In the woods and shady places; ascending to 1,800 feet on
Ben Vane.

Urtica pioica, L.

The distribution of the nettle is an interesting problem. It is
to be met with on the hills at places where buildings have at one
time existed, but does not spread beyond these. Its limits seem
to be determined by the operations of man.

Myrica GALE, L.

Abundant all along the bases of the mountains, but not ascend-
ing. In one or two localities this shrub attains great luxuriance,
as is the case, in particular, near the base of Ben Vorlich above

PLATE III.

BEN ARTHUR AND BEN NARNAIN, FROM SOUTH-EAST.

From Photos. by) SUMMIT OF BEN NARNAIN, FROM (Geo. Herriot.
NORTH-EAST.

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. 113

Inveruglas, where the bushes grow to a height of about four feet,
and form a dense growth several acres in extent, to the exclusion
of other plants.

BETULA ALBA, L.

Very common all over the lower parts of the hills, except in
Glen Croe, which is mostly treeless. The birch becomes dominant,
and forms an almost pure woodland at altitudes above the limit
of the oak-woods. It is an eminently social species, single,
isolated trees being rarely found at any great distance from the
rest. The birch-woods attain their highest altitude on Ben
Vorlich, the upper limit being 1,500 feet.

ALNUS GLUTINOSA, Gertn.

Very abundant on the banks of Loch Lomond, and common in
the woods elsewhere. Groves of alder occur here and there on
the hillsides, notably on Crois above Coiregrogain. These, how-
ever, are nowhere of great extent. The species attains an altitude
of 1,000 feet on Ben Vorlich.

Carpinus Betrutus, L.

A tree of this species was noted on the banks of the Glen Loin
burn.
CoryLus AVELLANA, L.
Common in the woods, at low elevations, chiefly associated
with oak and alder. Ascends to 600 feet on Ben Vorlich.

Quercus Roesovr, L.

The dominant tree in the natural woods on Loch Lomond side.
Although mostly in the form of “scrub,” there are occasional fine
specimens of oaks to be seen in the district. This tree does not
ascend to high altitudes on these hills, the upper limit being about
1,000 feet.

CASTANEA SATIVA, Mill.

A few specimens occur on the banks of the Glen Loin burn

above the bridge at Arrochar—evidently introduced.

FAGuS SYLVATICA, L.

Common in the Loch Lomond woods, and on the hillside
behind Arrochar. Not on the mountains.
H

Il4 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

SaLix Caprea, L.
Woods on Loch Lomond side. Not ascending.

SALIX CINEREA, L.
Very common. Ascending to 2,000 feet on Ben Arthur.

SALIX AURITA, L.

Frequent on the hills in moist parts. Ascends to 1,000 feet on
Ben Arthur.

SALIx (ARBUSCULA, L. ?)

Two small shrubs were found by Mr. M‘Lean and myself, of
similar habit, with dark shining foliage, one on the banks of the
Allt-a-Bhalachain at 1,800 feet altitude, the other on the Allt-
Sugach at 1,500 feet. Both plants were females, and in fruit, the
capsules being similar in the two cases, but there are slight
differences in the form of the leaves. They appear to approach
S. arbuscula in character, and may be referable to that species, or
perhaps to hybrids with S. nigricans or S. phyllictfolia.

SALIX HERBACEA, L.

Alpine.—A characteristic plant of the mountain tops, where it
grows in some abundance on the bare ground, with branches
buried in the soil. It occurs on all the summits except Ben Ime,
on which hill it ascends to over 3,000 feet. Its lower limit of
altitude appears to be about 2,400 feet, but one specimen was
found on Ben Narnain at 1,500 feet. This, however, is altogether
exceptional. A form with large leaves occurs on Ben Narnain at
2,500 feet, which Mr. Ewing informs me is believed to be a
hybrid with S. AZyrsinites.

POPULUS TREMULA, L.

Frequent in the woods on Loch Lomond side. Ascends to
1,000 feet on Ben Vorlich.

EMPETRUM NIGRUM, L.

Alpine.-—Common from about 1,100 feet upwards. Ascending
to the summits of Ben Narnain and Crois, thus attaining over
3,000 feet on the former. This shrub is characteristic of peat
moors, especially on the drier parts.

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FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. Im5

JUNIPERUS NANA, Willd.

Alpine.—Rocks and stony places at an altitude of about 2,000
to 2,500 feet. This plant has been found on four of these hills,
viz., Ben Arthur, 2,000 feet; Ben Narnain, 1,900 to 2,500 feet ;
Crois, 2,200 feet; Ben Vane, 2,500 feet.

PINUS SYLVESTRIS, L.

Frequent in the woods and on the hillside behind Arrochar,
but nowhere abundant, and never forming pure coniferous wood-
land. The pine is not found at a high altitude in the district.

MALAXIS PALUDOSA, Sw.

In the “Clydesdale Flora” this species is mentioned as
occurring “near the head of Loch Lomond;” and, in the
British Association Handbook, Ben Vorlich is given as a station.
These two records are probably identical, but I do not know
whether this rare orchid has been found in recent years in the
locality indicated.

LISTERA CORDATA, R. Br,

In a shady part of the woods near the head of Glen Loin.
Very abundant.

ORCHIS MACULATA, L.

Very abundant in marshy places throughout the district, and
ascending to 2,200 feet on Ben Arthur.

GYMNADENIA CONOPSEA, Br.

Common near the base of the mountains on the Argyllshire
side of Loch Long, and in Glen Croe. Frequent in other parts
also, but not ascending.

HABENARIA ALBIDA, Br.

On the moors near Coiregrogain.

HABENARIA BIFOLIA, Br.

In Glen Loin. Both this and the preceding species are
probably frequent in the district, but unrecorded.

HABENARIA CHLORANTIHA, Bab.
In Glen Loin. Low ground only.

116 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

Ir1s PsrupD-Acorus, L.
Marshes at the head of Loch Long. Not on the hills.

ALLIUM URSINUM, L.
Woods in Glen Loin, abundant. Not ascending the hills.

SCILLA NUTANS, Sm.

Common in the woods, and amongst bracken. Occasionally
found on the hills, but limits of altitude not determined.

NARTHECIUM OSSIFRAGUM, Huds.

This beautiful plant is one of the great ornaments of our moist
hillsides in early summer. It is particularly abundant in all parts
of the Arrochar district wherever the ground is marshy, and
ascends the hills to a considerable distance, attaining an altitude
of over 2,000 feet on Ben Ime.

JuNcus BUFONIUS, L.

An annual plant, appearing late in summer, and in great
abundance on the sandy roadsides, especially in Glen Croe. Not
found on the hills.

JuNcus TRIFIDUS, Koch.

Alpine.— Forming tufts on the rock-ledges at a high elevation,
where it is a rather striking object in spite of its small size.
Altitude from 2,000 to 2,300 feet.

Juncus sguarrosus, L.

Very abundant on the hill pastures, and extending from a little
above sea level to over 2,800 feet on Ben Arthur.

Juncus GERARDI, Loisel.
In salt marshes on the shores of Loch Long. Abundant.

Juncus TENUuIS, Willd.

This interesting species was found on the roadside near the
head of Loch Long in July this year.

Juncus communis, Meyer.
Abundant in pastures and on the hillsides at a low elevation,
but chiefly confined to the dry parts. Altitudinal range not
determined.

.

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. Uy §

JUNCUS ACUTIFLORUS, Ehrh.

Very abundant on the hillsides, and becoming dominant in
wet places. The presence of this rush in great numbers is an
almost certain indication of swampy ground, and as the plant is a
rather conspicuous object, this fact is a useful one to bear in mind
in crossing the moors. It ascends to near 2,000 feet, but the
altitudinal limits have not been ascertained.

JUNCUS LAMPROCARPUS, Ehrh.

In similar‘situations with /. acudifforus, but not forming such
extensive masses, and not ascending so high.

Juncus ULicinosus, Sibth.

Common in the bogs throughout the district, ascending to over
2,000 feet on the mountains. It is very abundant in the swamp
at the source of the Allt-a-Bhalachain on Ben Arthur.

JuNcuUS TRIGLUMIS, L.

Alpine.—In boggy ground at a high elevation. Found on the
following peaks:—Ben Arthur, 2,300 feet; Ben Narnain, 2,300
feet; Ben Ime, 2,800 feet ; Ben Vorlich, 2,600 feet.

LuzuLA VERNALIS, D.C.

Common in the woods and by mountain streams. Ascends to
1,000 feet on Cruach-Tarbet.

LuzuLa MAxIMA, D.C.
Very luxuriant in shady places and near waterfalls on the
mountain streams ; also forming clumps in dry places in the open
at high altitudes. Ascends to over 2,000 feet on Ben Narnain.

Luzuta spicata, D.C.
Alpine.—Frequent in rocky places at high altitudes, not
descending below 2,000 feet. One of the summit plants on
Ben Vane, altitude, 3,000 feet.

LuzULA CAMPESTRIS, D.C.
Very common on moorland pastures at all altitudes in the
district, ascending to 3,000 feet on Ben Narnain. The variety
erecta equally common with the type.

118 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

TRIGLOCHIN PALUSTRE, L.

In wet pastures, ascending to 700 feet on Ben Vane.

TRIGLOCHIN MARITIMUM, L.
On the shore at the head of Loch Long.

POTAMOGETON NATANS, L. (?).

What I take to be this species grows in great abundance in
Loch Sloy. A pondweed (the same ?) also occurs in the Allt-a-
Bhalachain near its source at 2,000 feet altitude on Ben Arthur.

ELEOCHARIS PALUSTRIS, Br.
Abundant in Loch Sloy.

ScIRPUS C#SPITOSUS, L.

Abundant on the hill pastures, and sometimes becoming
dominant in drier parts. Ascends to 2,800 feet on Ben Arthur.

ScIRPUS MARITIMUS, L.
Marshes on the shore at the head of Loch Long.

ERIOPHORUM VAGINATUM, L.
Moist places on peat, common. Ascends to 2,500 feet on Ben
Vane.
ERIOPHORUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM, Roth.

Distribution similar to £. vaginatum, and often found in
company with that species. On wet patches in peat-hags, this
cotton-grass sometimes forms beds of considerable size. Ascends
to 2,500 feet on Ben Vane.

RHYNCHOSPORA ALBA, Vahl.

This plant occurs in great quantity in swampy ground near the
base of Ben Vorlich above Loch Lomond; also on the west side
of Loch Long. Not found at high altitudes.

CarREx puoica, L.
Ben Vorlich ; altitude not noted.

CAREX PULICARIS, L.

Common near the base of the mountains.

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. +@ de)

CAREX ECHINATA, Murr.

Very common in marshy ground. Abundant in the swamp
between Ben Arthur and Ben Narnain ; altitude, 2,100 feet.

CAREX OVALIS, Good.
Very common in moist places in the low ground.

CAREX RIGIDA, Good.

Alpine.—Common at high altitudes, and very abundant on all
the summits, thus attaining over 3,300 feet on Ben Ime. Not
descending much below 2,000 feet.

CAREX VULGARIS, Fries.

Ben Vane and Ben Vorlich. Probably common elsewhere, but
unrecorded.
CAREX PALLESCENS, L.

Ben Vorlich and Ben Narnain ; ascending to 2,000 feet on the
latter hill.
CAREX PANICEA, L.

Frequent from about 1,000 feet upwards; ascending to 2,500
feet on Ben Ime.
CAREX BINERVIS, Sm.

Common in pastures amongst grass. Ascends to 2,500 feet on
Ben Vorlich.
CAREX FLAVA, L.

Frequent at a moderate elevation.

CaREX PULLA, Good.
Alpine.—Ben Ime, 2,500 feet ; Ben Vorlich, 2,600 feet.

CAREX AMPULLACEA, Good.
In shallow pools and swamps, abundant. Ascends to 2,300 feet
on Ben Vane.
ANTHOXANTHUM ODORATUM, L.

Very common. This is one of the dominant grasses of the
hill pasture, and ascends to over 3,000 feet.

ALOPECURUS GENICULATUS, L.
Head of Loch Long, near the shore.

120 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

PHLEUM PRATENSE, L.
Glen Loin, in the fields.

AGROSTIS VULGARIS, With.

Abundant in the pastures, and amongst bracken. Not
ascending.

DIGRAPHIS ARUNDINACEA, Trin.
Banks of the Glen Loin burn.

DESCHAMPSIA CAESPITOSA, Beauy.

Common in the low ground, and ascending the hills to some
distance. This grass is difficult to distinguish in the barren state
from D. alpina, R. & S., which is perhaps merely an alpine sub-
species, and which replaces it at a high altitude. For this reason
the upper limit of the present form has not been ascertained.

DESCHAMPSIA ALPINA, R. & S.

Common from about 800 feet upwards, especially on the banks
of the streams. Ascends to 3,000 feet on Ben Ime.

DESCHAMPSIA FLEXUOSA, Trin.

Very abundant on the moors. Ascending to over 3,000 feet
on Ben Ime.
Ho.ucus LANATUS, L.

Common in fields and pastures in the low ground. Not
ascending.

ARRHENATHERUM AVENACEUM, Beauv.

Frequent in woods, and shady places near streams. Ascends
to 500 feet on Ben Narnain.

TRIODIA DECUMBENS, Beauv.

Dry parts of the hills, frequent. Altitudinal range not ascer-
tained.
CyNOSURUS CRISTATUS, L.

Common in fields in the low ground. Ascends to 500 feet on
Ben Narnain.

MOLINIA C#RULEA, Mecench.
Common on the moors. Ascending to over 3,000 feet.

FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. 121

MELICA NUTANS, L.

This species—a somewhat scarce one in Clydesdale—has been
gathered by me on a rock-ledge on Ben Vorlich at an altitude of
1,000 feet. I do not know of its occurrence elsewhere in the
district.

DACTYLIS GLOMERATA, L.

Roadsides and fields. Low ground only.

Poa annua, L.

Common, and ascending the hills to some distance, but limits
not noted.
Poa ALPINA, L.

Alpine.—Growing in considerable abundance at about 3,000
feet altitude on Ben Ime, Ben Vane, and Ben Vorlich. Not
reported from the other peaks.

Poa GLAuCcA, Sm.

Specimens were gathered by me on Ben Vorlich this year, but
altitude not noted.

Poa BALFouR, Parn.
Gathered on a rock-ledge on Ben Vane; altitude, 1,800 feet.

POA PRATENSIS, L.
Roadsides, etc.; low ground only.

POA TRIVIALIS, L.
-_ Roadsides and waste places ; low ground only.

Festuca ovina, L.

Very common everywhere, and ascending to the summits of all
the mountains, therefore attaining over 3,300 feet on Ben Ime.
The curious viviparous form, characteristic of alpine localities, is
very abundant on these hills.

FESTUCA DURIUSCULA, L.
Rock-ledges on Ben Vane ; altitude, 1,800 feet.

LOLIUM PERENNE, L.
Roadsides and fields ; low ground only.

122 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

NARDUS STRICTA, L.
One of the most abundant moorland grasses, and dominant over
a large part of the hillsides, forming the characteristic “ nardus-
moor.” It ascends to over 2,000 feet, but the exact limits of
altitude have not been ascertained.

HYMENOPHYLLUM TUNBRIDGENSE, Sm.

In the ‘Clydesdale Flora” this species is mentioned as
occurring on the ‘‘ banks of Loch Lomond at Luss and Tarbet.”
As I do not know the exact locality of the stations referred to, I
am unable to say whether the latter comes within the boundary of
the district under consideration.

HYMENOPHYLLUM WILSONI, Hook.
Shady rocks and roots of trees, very common. This fern is
plentiful in the wooded parts of the banks of mountain streams.
Ascending to 2,500 feet on Ben Arthur.

PTERIS AQUILINA, L.

Dominant over large areas on the hillsides in dry, open
situations ; also frequent in the woods. The bracken is a conspic-
uous feature on the hills up to about 1,000 feet, shortly above
which altitude it stops rather abruptly, the resulting change in the
aspect of the vegetation being quite a striking one. As was
pointed out by Watson long ago, this altitudinal limit of the
bracken may be said to mark the boundary between the lowland
and the alpine flora. The limit, so far as the Arrochar mountains
are concerned, may be said to be about 1,200 feet, which is found
to be fairly constant by comparison at different points in the
district. Here and there, however, it extends, in depressions on
the hillsides, to a higher elevation, the highest point noted being
1,600 feet on Ben Narnain.

CRYPTOGRAMME CRISPA, Br.
Alpine.—Very abundant on Ben Narnain, from 2,600 feet to
the summit. Also found on Ben Ime, at an altitude of 3,200 feet.
Not reported from the other hills.

BLECHNUM BOREALE, Sw.
Common in woods and amongst rocks throughout the district.
Ascends to 3,300 feet on Ben Ime.

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FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS, 123

ASPLENIUM TRICHOMANEs, L,
Common on walls and rocks in shady places at a low elevation.

ASPLENIUM VIRIDE, Huds.

In the “Clydesdale Flora” this fern is said to be “rare.”
This remark applies only, however, to lowland districts ; for this
is one of the commonest ferns on alpine rocks, in the shady
crevices of which it takes the place of the more delicate
A. Trichomanes. The latter becomes rare at about I,0oo feet
altitude, from which point the present species is common upwards
to a considerable height, ascending to 2,700 feet on Ben Ime.

ASPLENIUM ADIANTUM-NIGRuM, L,

This fern is apparently uncommon on the Arrochar hills, but
may possibly have been overlooked. I have only found it on
Ben Vorlich, at an altitude of 1,000 feet.

ATHYRIUM FILIX-FOEMINA, Bernh.

The beautiful lady fern is a common inhabitant of the woods
and shady places on the hills, becoming scarcer, however, at high
altitudes. Its limits have not been ascertained.

CYSTOPTERIS FRAGILIS, Bernh.
Common in rock-crevices,

especially in alpine situations, In
dark recesses amongst the roc

ks, at about 2,500 feet altitude, this
fern is one of the commonest species. It ascends to 3,000 feet
on Ben Ime.

ASPIDIUM LONCHITIS, Sw.
Alpine.—Recorded in the « Clydesdale Flora” (App. I.) from
Ben Vorlich, on which mountain I found it growing last year at
1,800 feet altitude. This appears to be the only recorded station

in this district, although the fern occurs on the neighbouring
Argyllshire hills to the south and west.

ASPIDIUM LOBATUM, Sw.

Rock-crevices in the woods, and shady recesses of the hills.
Ascends to 1,900 feet on Ben Vorlich.

NEPHRODIUM Fittx-mas, Rich.

Common throughout the low ground in woods,

and amongst
rocks, etc. Not common on the mountains.

124 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

NEPHRODIUM SPINULOSUM, Desyv.

Recorded in the ‘Clydesdale Flora” from the “banks of
Loch Lomond near Tarbet.”

NEPHRODIUM DILATATUM, Desv.

Of this excessively variable species many forms are found
throughout the district. It is very common on the hills, one
dwarf variety being specially abundant among the rocks at high
altitudes. I can make nothing of the descriptions given of the
different forms, none of which seem to correspond with the plants
one meets with on the mountains. ‘The species extends to 3,300
feet on Ben Ime.

NEPHRODIUM OREOPTERIS, Desv.

This is one of the most abundant ferns in mountainous districts,
especially near streams. It extends upwards to a high altitude,
becoming, however, more restricted in numbers and smaller in
size in the higher and more exposed parts. In crevices of the.
rocks near the tops of the mountains it becomes very small, one
such dwarf specimen being seen on the extreme summit of Ben
Ime, near the cairn—altitude, 3,318 feet.

POLYPODIUM VULGARE, L.
Tree trunks, walls and rock-ledges. Ascending to 2,700 feet on
Ben Vane.
PoLYPODIUM PHEGOPTERIS, L.
Very common in woods and crevices of rocks. Ascending to
3,200 feet on Ben Ime.
PoLtypopiIuM DryoprTeris, L,

Frequent in shady parts of the woods, and recesses of rocks.
Ascends to 2,700 feet on Ben Ime.

POLYPODIUM ALPESTRE, Hoppe.

Alpine, and apparently rare. Recorded from Ben Vorlich by
Mr. R. Mackay in Brit. Ass. Handbook. Also found on Ben
Narnain by Mr. M‘Lean and myself at 2,800 feet altitude, these
being the only records from these hills.

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FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS. 125

BOTRYCHiUM LUNARIA, Sw.

The moonwort is known to occur on the hills immediately to
the south of Arrochar. So far as I know, the only station at
present recorded for the mountains now under consideration is at
2,200 feet on Crois.

EQUISETUM ARVENSE, L.

Cultivated ground and waste places. Glen Loin, etc. Not
ascending the hills.

EQUISETUM SYLVATICUM, L.

Frequent in woods and near streams. Ascends to 2,000 feet
on Ben Arthur.

EQUISETUM LIMOSUM, L.

Abundant in Loch Sloy. Also found in a small tarn on Ben
Vane, altitude 2,300 feet.

LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM, L.

Not common. On the moors on Ben Vorlich at goo feet
altitude. Also on Ben Arthur and Crois, ascending to 2,600 feet
on the latter hill.

LYCOPODIUM ANNOTINUM, L.

Recorded in the “Clydesdale Flora,” and in the Brit. Ass.
Handbook from Ben Vorlich ; altitude not given.

LYCOPODIUM ALPINUM, L.

Alpine—Common on stony moors from about 2,000 feet
upwards, but descending as low as 1,500 feet on Ben Narnain.
This is a characteristic plant of mountain tops. Found on the
actual summits of Ben Narnain, Ben Vorlich, and Crois, and
ascending to 3,200 feet on Ben Ime.

LycopopiuM SELAGO, L.

_ Frequent on rock-ledges and on the moors from about goo feet

upwards to the top of the mountains. Growing on the extreme
summits of all the peaks, except that of Ben Arthur, therefore
reaching to over 3,300 feet on Ben Ime.

126 FLORA OF ARROCHAR MOUNTAINS.

SELAGINELLA SELAGINOIDES, Gray.

Frequent amongst grass near streams ; ascending to 2,800 feet
on Ben Narnain.

IsoHTES LACUSTRIS, L.

Recorded in the ‘Clydesdale Flora” for Loch Lomond, but
locality not given.

Isoites Hystrix, Dur.

An old record by Babington for Ben Vorlich is quoted in the
Brit. Ass. Handbook, being the only station reported for the
Clyde area. I do not know if this plant has been found recently.

PILULARIA GLOBULIFERA, L.

Recorded for Loch Lomond in the “Clydesdale Flora ;”
locality not mentioned.

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Pee. LAST OF THE: POLLOK: WYCH
ELMS.

By Joun Boyp.
(Read 7th April, 1905.)

THE “ Pollok Wych Elms” which, for many years, were a feature
of the place, were well known to many members of this Society
and other lovers of nature; because few who visited Pollok went
away without admiring this group of very fine old trees, which
stood close by the roadside half-way between the mansion-house
and the stables.

So far as is known the group was made up of four specimens
of U/mus montana (wych or Scotch elm), but whether there ever
were more cannot be certified, as there is no record or history of
them further back than 1812. I have often thought, however,
judging from the position of the trees that there may have been
more originally, and before explaining let me say for the benefit
of any who may never have been to Pollok, that the trees in
question stood in a line, and it is from the distances they stood
apart that I formed the idea of a greater number originally. Away
back, many generations ago, I believe that there would be at least
seven trees, even if the line was not prolonged at either end, which
is also within the bounds of possibility.

There are two photographs here, one showing the group of four
and the other the last survivors. On looking at the former it is
plainly seen that the trees did not stand at equal distances apart.
As a matter of fact the two central trees stood about fifteen feet
apart, and the two outside ones about thirty and forty-five feet,
respectively, from their nearest neighbours. Now, it is only a
matter of conjecture, but withal, quite permissible, to come to the
conclusion that, in all probability, those two wider spaces were the
sites of one and two trees at some remote time, and thus there
would have been a line of seven standing at equal distances, but
whether such was really the case is not likely ever to be definitely
known. One thing about them which seems almost certain is, that

128 LAST OF THE POLLOK WYCH ELMS.

they were not natural seedlings, but that they were planted on the
site where they grew; it seems almost as certain that they were
planted with some particular object in view, but what that may
have been is even more difficult to surmise than the probable
original numbers.

It is, no doubt, very pleasant to travel back in our imagination,
seeing visions of saplings, poles, and young trees growing up in
entirely different conditions to those with which we are familiar ;
but meantime we must leave that phase of the subject and speak
of them as we actually knew them.

As has already been said, there is no known record of them
before 1812, although there is little doubt that they stood in the
same position for about three hundred years, and the last two a
decade longer. From the date just mentioned to the rath of
February, 1894, there was no change in their number, and little
change in their appearance. On the latter date the two outside
and largest members of the group were blown down, and shortly
afterwards I had the honour to give a few particulars of the fallen
monarchs to the members of this Society (see Vol. II., page 5).
It is, therefore, with pleasure that again I submit some figures
about the last of them, along with some general remarks on their
growth and probable life history.

Of the two last survivors there are no measurements on record
of an earlier date than 1892, when the members of this Society
measured all the trees; and indeed it is only of the largest one
that we have any earlier measurements recorded. The first is that
given in Strutt’s book, the date being 1812, and others were taken
at varying intervals from that time. In giving these measurements
it is well to remember that comparison is not of much value, as it
is not certain that the ground about the trees was always at the
same level. Indeed, it is known to have been changed several
inches on two occasions within the present generation, and it is
possible that in former times it may have undergone similar
changes.

The measurements above referred to are as follows :—

In 1812 this tree was 10 feet ro inches in girth at 5 feet, and

85 feet high.
In 1824 it was 11 feet 10 inches in girth at 5 feet.
In 1836 it was 12 feet in girth at 5 feet, and go feet high.

LAST OF THE POLLOK WYCH ELMS. 129

In 1842 it was 12 feet 4 inches in girth at 5 feet.

In 1858 it was 13 feet in girth at 5 feet.

In 1862 it was 13 feet in girth at 5 feet.

In 1892 it was 13 feet 9 inches in girth at 5 feet, and 94 feet high.

It is evident from these figures that these measurements were
not all taken at exactly the same point. They were either taken
at five feet up on different sides, or the ground-level was changed.
The latter was the case in the last measurement, as the ground-
level was raised about one foot between 1862 and 1892.

The measurements of the whole group taken in 1892 gave the
following results :—

No. 1 at 5 feet was 13 feet 9 inches in girth, and 94 feet high.

No. 2 at 4 feet 2 inches was 11 feet 10 inches in girth.

No. 3 at 3 feet 114 inches was 12 feet and a %4-inch in girth.

No. 4 at 4 feet 9 inches was 13 feet 1%4 inches in girth.

The reason for the circumferences being taken at irregular
heights was owing to the abnormal growths peculiar to elms.
They had to be measured wherever a circuit of the trunk could
be got clear of these knotty excrescences.

The two survivors were again measured in 1899 and 1904.
The one measuring 11 feet 10 inches in 1892 was by far the less
vigorous tree, and its state of health gradually declined as the
years rolled on, until, at last, the foliage in summer was very
meagre and the crown very small by the falling of branches
through decay. It was not to be wondered at then, that, when
measured in 1899, no increase had been made; and again, in
1904, the same tale was repeated, or even exaggerated, because
then it was actually half-an-inch less, or 11 feet 94 inches instead
of 11 feet ro inches, as on the two former occasions. Here we
have a nice point raised, namely—Does a standing tree in
declining health shrink ?—a question which may look ridiculous,
but one which will stand investigation, as this was not the only
old dying tree in Pollok about which the same peculiarity
was recorded last year. In the case before us, however, the
variation of half-an-inch may be accounted for by the loss of some
of the old cork bark which frequently becomes detached on very
old trees of this class, and although there was no trace of such
having happened, it would take so little to cause the slight
difference that it may have been solely due to that.

130 LAST OF THE POLLOK WYCH ELMS.

When this tree was taken down it was found that the root
system was very far gone. The main roots, however, were sound
upwards of five or six feet from the base of the stem, but there
was an almost entire absence of young fibrous roots. A striking
feature was the entire absence of tap-roots, large or small, so that
when the tree fell it was as bare on the under-side of the ball as if
it had been growing on a flagstone. On cross-cutting the tree it
was found almost solid, being but slightly decayed on one side of
the heart. The timber, however, was of very little value, as it was
both ring and star-shaken.

Through the fall the whole top and limbs were literally broken
into firewood, very few pieces being larger than one man could
remove, thus making it impossible to measure the entire contents,
and only the trunk was measured, with the following results :—

The clear bole was over thirty feet, but there was a quite
decided bole of more than double that length, although it was
broken across at about fifty feet where it was twenty inches in
diameter. The girth was taken at three points, at 12 feet 6 inches,
34 feet, and 47 feet, and measured 1o feet 5 inches, 8 feet
5 inches, and 6 feet respectively, containing, according to
commercial measurement, about two hundred and sixty cubic feet,
and about three hundred and thirty cubic feet actual contents,
and would weigh close upon twelve tons.

In reckoning the age by the concentric layers of wood, the
process was comparatively easy until about the two hundredth
year. After that, however, the rings became so fine that there
was great difficulty in defining them; towards the outside they
were uncertain, and when tried with a good lens the structure
assumed the appearance of cane rather than wood, there being an
entire absence of fibre. Several attempts all resulted about the
same, making it from two hundred and ninety-six to two
hundred and ninety-eight years old; but I believe it was ten or
twelve years older, the difference being due to the fact that for the
last twelve years or more it had failed to lay on wood to any
appreciable extent, which was proved by comparing certain
features of growth in both trees, which will be referred to later on.

The other tree which, in 1892, at 3 feet 1134 inches measured
12 feet % inch in circumference, was much more vigorous than
its neighbour. Measured again at the same place in 1899 and

LAST OF THE POLLOK WYCH ELMS, 131

1904 it was 12 feet 1 inch and 12 feet 3% inches respectively.
Here again there would appear to be a mistake in measurement,
or a variation in height where girthed, but there is neither. The
actual cause of this apparent half-inch increase in seven years
against two and a half inches in the succeeding five years was due
to the loss of bark, or rather, it might be said that the 1892
measurement was exaggerated owing to an unnoticed large piece
of bark which came off shortly afterwards.

On rooting out this tree it was found to have a very much
healthier root system, there being a considerable number of young
roots, and also a number of fresh tap-roots of varying sizes, the
latter causing considerable trouble in the operation of uprooting.

It might be worthy to note in passing that this tree was a
particular favourite with the starlings. There were several holes
near the top in which a number of these birds roosted every night,
and as it was dusk before the felling operations were completed,
some of the tenants of the top had evidently arrived home and gone
to rest, as four dead birds were taken out the next morning, no
doubt having been killed by the shock in the fall. The late
comers arrived when the tree was being swung backward and
forward to loosen it, and, perched on the highest twigs, hung
on tenaciously, either enjoying the oscillation or wondering what
was wrong with the tree. They stuck to their perch until they
felt the tree moving rapidly towards the earth, when they took
wing, none too soon, as in another second it was down with a
mighty crash, sending a cloud of dust and twigs among the
culprits who had deliberately brought about its end. Thus fell
the last of the “ Pollok Wych Elms,” and although it was but for
a few short years that they had been familiar objects to me, it was
with feelings of regret that I beheld the last one laid low.

When this tree was cross-cut off the root it was found to be
solid throughout, but with the same commercial defects in ring and
star-shakes as its neighbour. As in the former case, the top
was so much broken up that only the trunk was measured.
It had an undivided and practically clear bole of thirty-nine
feet, where it divided into two. The trunk girthed at 13 feet 6
inches, 10 feet 1014 inches; and at 27 feet, 9 feet 10 inches; and
the two tops at four feet above the cleft girthed 7 feet 5 inches
and 6 feet respectively. It contained in all, according to

132 LAST OF THE POLLOK WYCH ELMS.

commercial measurement, two hundred and eighty-six cubic feet,
and in actual contents about three hundred and seventy cubic feet,
and would weigh about thirteen tons.

In reckoning the age from the annual rings the task was not
much easier than in the former case, for although it had not
ceased growing up to the last, the increment was very little and
the rings very close. When it is considered that of late years the
average annual increase in circumference was exactly half-an-inch,
and the wood formed composed almost entirely of vessels, it is
easily understood that the outside rings were rather difficult to
follow; but, withal, a fairly accurate estimate was got by successive
attempts, which resulted in making it three hundred and six years
old. But this tree was cut rather high and about three or four
years’ growth were lost, which would make it about three hundred
and ten years, thus corresponding with the age of the two blown
down in 1894, and also with that of the fourth tree (which counted
two hundred and ninety-seven), if we admit that it had made
nothing since 1892. So that there seems little reason to doubt
the statement made earlier, viz., that the trees had stood on the
same site for not less than three hundred years, and probably
about three hundred and ten years.

Now, with your permission, I will try to picture something of
the life-history of these trees, and that not altogether from
imagination, although it requires a little exercise of that faculty
to assist.

As is well known to everyone, trees—like all other plants—are
influenced by their surroundings, but they have a knack of
recording within themselves something of what has happened
about them, by the regularity or irregularity of the annual rings
or layers of wood, and it is from these that I purpose making a
few deductions. But before doing so I will endeavour to describe
this formation of rings, of which I made a very careful study, in
which I found that the two trees showed the very same
characteristics. Whatever affected the growth at any particular
date showed no variation in the two specimens; thus proving
that something had happened to cause the same variation in
growth in both trees.

Speaking generally, the trees grew rapidly in early years, but
did not form very large rings. When fifty-four years old one was

a

——

LAST OF THE POLLOK WYCH ELMS. 133

over twenty-two inches in diameter and the other almost twenty-
one, and both made steady progress from that until they were one
hundred and twenty years. After that, however, their growth was
not vigorous, and judging from their general appearance they
would be about their best, from a commercial point of view,
between the latter age and one hundred and fifty years.

It is necessary, however, for the purpose in view, to go into
details, and I must ask you to imagine you see the cross-section
of the trees, and beginning at the pith, move outwards across the
annual rings, which are broad and regular until we pass the
thirteenth, when suddenly there is a change. The fourteenth is
not half the breadth of the preceding layers, and the fifteenth,
although improved, is still deficient, but the sixteenth seems to be
back to the usual, and each successive layer is regular, with no
appreciable variation until we reach the twenty-ninth, which is
considerably reduced. This, however, does not continue, and the
next year sees the increment up to the original standard, which is
continued to the thirty-ninth, when again there is a check, having
a marked effect until the forty-fourth, which, however, is again
about normal, and the growth continues so for nine or ten years,
when there is a series of gradually-decreasing annual rings extend-
ing to about the sixtieth. Then there is an improvement, which
continues with no further variation until we get to the one hundred
and twentieth year, when there is a very sudden and decided
falling-off, far too much to be natural, and no proper recovery
is made from that point onwards.

It is from these vagaries in growth that I propose tracing
something of the life-history of the trees.

We can scarcely picture in our minds the general appearance
of the country three hundred years ago; but we can imagine
ourselves on the side of a nice, clear stream, where we now have
an open sewer styled the ‘‘ White Cart,” which name, no doubt,
suited it better when the elms were saplings on its banks. They
had only recently been planted along with others, but there is
also along the river bank a varying thicket of trees and under-
growth which extends back to or probably beyond the young
elms, and affords them shelter which, with the good soil,
encourages a rapid growth and clean stems. When about
thirteen years old, however, it is quite evident that something

134 LAST OF THE POLLOK WYCH ELMS.

caused a sudden check, but which only affected them for two
years. If the trees grew from youth on the same site as that on
which we knew them, the check in growth may have been due to
two bad seasons; but if our forefathers were in the habit of
transplanting trees of some size, it may have been that they were
transplanted at this age, as the nature and extent of the variation
is very like what would happen through that process.

The steady progress from the sixteenth to the twenty-ninth year
indicates an uneventful time, and the diminished growth of the
latter year might safely be put down to a bad season or to some
digging operations about the trees in the spring when growth was
beginning.

Again, at the thirty-ninth year, there is a falling-off, which
continues in a decreasing degree until the forty-fourth year. This
has the appearance of having been caused by a sudden removal
of shelter, and the gradual improvement would be the result either
of the surrounding trees, etc., thickening up again, or by the trees
getting accustomed to their more open position. In all probability
it would be the former, as at the fifty-fourth year a decreasing
growth in thickness sets in, which continues for about seven years,
indicating that the growing space was becoming more limited, and
at the sixteenth year the trees would appear to be somewhat
crowded, and instead of growing in diameter would be stretching
up very rapidly.

The sudden improvement at this age can no doubt be accounted
for by a judicious removal of some of the neighbouring trees,
which gave the elms sufficient growing space, but did not remove
the shelter altogether, nor expose them to such an extent that the
extra light and air had an injurious effect. From this age until
they reached one hundred and twenty years there does not appear
to have been any marked variation in their progress, but when
they reached the latter age there is evidence of something little
short of an upheaval occurring, which caused a sudden and severe
check, from which they never properly recovered. The explanation
I would suggest for this is that probably all the surrounding trees
were removed, which would interfere very seriously with the
specimens left. What took place at this time cannot be said, but
I believe that there was no very great change in their surroundings
from that time until we saw them, and this opinion is borne out

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LAST OF THE POLLOK WYCH ELMS. 135

by the fact that two sycamores, which stood on the river bank
near the elms, and were probably the remnants of a line of trees,
were about one hundred and seventy to one hundred and eighty
years old when cut this year, showing that they had been planted
shortly after the date on which the elms received the sudden check.

In conclusion, let me say that I do not expect that all will agree
with my ideas or theories as to the life-history of the venerable old
trees which adorned the banks of the Cart. I simply place before
you the deductions I have made from the variations of their
growth, the dates of which are so remote that it is impossible
either to verify or contradict them, even although they may be
open to question.

RECORDS OF EXCURSIONS) IN
ARGYLLSHIRE.

By ALEXANDER Ross.

GLEN MASSON AND PUCK’S GLEN.

Tue first visit of the Society to Argyllshire was made on
3rd August, 1889, when a large party of members and friends
landed at Kilmun. Just beyond the straggling village lies the old
churchyard, which contains a burying-place of the Argyll family,
and the tower of a collegiate church which once existed there.
It is said that a triple row of trees formerly led up to the gateway
of the churchyard. Now all that remains is an avenue formed
of limes on one side, and on the other, great maples extending for
about half the distance of the limes. The explanation of the
shortening of the middle row and the disappearance of the outer
one seems to be that the present shore road has been cut through
the sloping bank on which the trees grew. The great maple
nearest the churchyard gate was measured and found to have a
girth of 9 feet 74 inches. Passing Rashfield—a favourite haunt
of artists—the party entered Puck’s Glen, the Fairy Glen, as it
is sometimes called, and, before proceeding far, these apparently
fanciful names were found to be fully justified by its romantic
character. The glen is of considerable extent, and follows the
windings of the stream for about two miles, the rock through
which it is cut consisting of highly-contorted and crystalline
mica-schists of Silurian formation. At every turn sudden surprises
and charming views meet the eye. The natural beauty of the little
glen has been much enhanced by the judicious planting of
numerous trees and shrubs, among which cotoneasters and
conifers were conspicuous. The ascent has been rendered easy
by the construction of rustic bridges, and a good footpath which
follows the winding of the burn. Ferns grow in abundance, and
among those noted were the beech fern (Polypodium Phegopierts,

ESE GEE ETI

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ARGYLLSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 137

L.), the oak-fern (P. Dryopierts, L.), the common prickly shield-fern
(Aspidium aculeatum, Sw.), and the variety (A. /obatum, Presl.).
The reed fescue-grass (Festuca sylvatica, Vill.), a grass rarely met
with in Clydesdale, and probably of infrequent occurrence in any
part of the United Kingdom, was found growing in the glen.
Among other plants collected were sea buckthorn (Aippophe
Rhamanoides, L.), tutsan (Aypericum Androsemum, L.), grass of
Parnassus (farnassia palustris, L), golden rod (Solidago
Virgaurea, L.), and the willow-leaved spirzea (Spirea salicifolia, L.).

On leaving the glen the grounds at Benmore were visited.
Here a young tree of the variegated ash-leaved meguando and the
extensive collection of conifers excited admiration. The rockery
yielded Linnea borealis, Gronov., a plant named after the great
Swedish botanist, the Cornish heath (Zrica vagans, L.), and the
large-flowered St. John’s-wort (Hypericum calycinum, L.).

On the afternoon of 12th September, 1890, many members took
part in a joint excursion with the Natural History Society ox
Glasgow to Glen Masson. Ardnadam was reached shortly after
three o’clock, and with limited time and ten miles to be covered
little could be done in the way of botanising. A sharp walk in
very warm weather brought the party to Glen Masson falls. The
wonderful effect of the carving power of a small stream was seen
here to perfection. The rocks are cut into the most fantastic
shapes, and on the sides of the burn are the worn-out hollows of
old “ pot-holes ” whose other halves strewed the bed with rugged
boulders. The geologists had barely time to examine this when
the party had to turn homeward. Few plants were noted on the
way, the seaside plantain (P/antago maritima, L.), Highland
cudweed (Guaphalium sylvaticum, L.), the shining-fruited jointed
rush (Juncus lamprocarpus, Ehr.), being all that are recorded.
The rowan trees were laden with red berries, and lent an added
charm to the autumn afternoon. In Benmore policies a herd of
twenty roe deer was seen.

Jointly with the Natural History Society, Benmore was again
visited on 27th June, 1896. The party were met by the forester
of the estate, and conducted by the Loch Eck road to Puck’s
Glen. Among the plants observed on this occasion were Saxr-
fraga Geum, L., which occurs in great profusion near the entrance
and well up the glen, the heart-leaved twayblade (Listera cordata,

138 ARGYLLSHIRE EXCURSIONS.

Br.), the pale carex (Carex pallescens, L.), the flea carex (Carex
pulicaris, L.), and the filmy ferns (Hymenophyllum tunbridgense,
Sm., and #. unilaterale, Willd.). Leaving the glen the party
paid a hurried visit to the policies. Specimens of Picea nobilis,
Doug., loaded with young cones six inches in length, excited
much admiration. Among other species observed were :—

ABIES PINSAPO, Boiss. CRYPTOMERIA JAPONICA, Don.
ABIES ALBA, Mich. C. JAPONICA, VAR. ELEGANS,
PINUS STROBUS, L. MASTERS.

PINUS AUSTRIACA, Link. |AURICARIA IMBRICATA, Par.
PINUS SYLVESTRIS, L. CUPRESSUS MACROCARPA, Hartw.

In the grass near the mansion-house Aeracium aurantiacum, L.,
was plentiful. At Kilmun the evergreen alkanet (Anchusa semper-
virens, L.), and the sea spleenwort (Asplenium marinum, L.) were
gathered.

The district at the head of the Holy Loch was visited once
more on the Trades’ Holiday, 27th August, 1904. On this
occasion Benmore estate was reached by way of Glen Masson
road, and a rapid walk through the grounds only afforded time
for admiring the number and variety of the well-grown conifers
bordering the main path. The lower shores of Loch Eck were
reached, and on the return journey Puck’s Glen was explored.
The plants noted include the willow-leaved spircea (Spivwa salict-
folta, L.), which was growing in the hedge on the Glen Masson
road about a quarter of a mile from the head of the Holy Loch,
gipsy-wort (Lycopus europaeus, L.), and great yellow loosestrife
(Lysimachia vulgaris, L.), in a swampy copse near the same spot.
Some plants of the common twayblade (Zzs¢era ovata, Br.), with
unusually large leaves, were observed near the Benmore lodge
gate, just within the fence enclosing the estate. The water-lobelia
(Lobelia Dortmanna, L.) was plentiful in Loch Eck. Scotch
mist, so frequent in the district, put entomological work out of the
question in the earlier part of the day, and the absence of
sunshine later on made the day almost barren. Among the few
flies observed were Riypholophus varius, Mg., and Leptistineola, F.,
the latter, although not a rare fly, being recorded for the first
time for the Clyde area. Two fungi, Agaricus rutilans, Schaeff.,
and feziza badia, Pers., were collected.

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ARGYLLSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 139

The last occasion on which this beautiful region was visited was
on the Trades’ Holiday, 25th August, 1906. The morning looked
very unsettled, but during the journey towards Kilmun the
appearance overhead improved, and hopes were entertained that
the day might be a brilliant one. On reaching the Holy Loch,
however, the view ahead kept continually changing, gleams of
sunshine, mist, and showers of rain chasing each other down the
glens, lending an ever-varying charm to the landscape, and
indicating the variety of weather which might be expected when
once the head of the loch was reached. Landing at Kilmun the
party proceeded by the shore and the left bank of the Echaig.
From the roadside overlooking the long sandy stretches which
form the head of the loch a fine view of the myriad gulls haunting
this part was got. Black-headed gulls seemed to predominate,
though herring gulls were plentiful. Lesser black-backs were fewer,
and, still less in number, seemingly scarce indeed, were common
gulls. From the bridge crossing the Echaig a walk of an hour’s
duration along a road, every step of which was of interest, brought
the party to the river Masson. Rain, which had been threatening
for some time, now began to fall heavily. Notwithstanding this
the beautiful road margining the Masson was followed as far as
the falls. The weather was certainly favourable for seeing these
to advantage, and some time was spent before the party left this
charming spot and hurried on through a drenching rain to
Benmore policies. Here the pinetum and shrubberies were
visited. The climatic conditions of the glens appear to favour the
growth of pines, which are met with in great variety and luxuriance.
Perhaps the most striking feature is the avenue from the mansion-
house to the Loch Eck road, which is formed mainly of
magnificent rows of seguota. Branching off from this is an
extensive avenue of fine deodars. ‘The walnut and tulip trees,
found on so many estates, were not wanting here, the green fruit
of the former showing among the branches. The shrubbery in
front of the glass-houses, where a few minutes were spent, contain
many specimens of fine shrubs. The party were particularly
struck with three species which were in full flower, namely,
Olearia Haasittt, Hook.; Desfontanea spinosa, Ruiz. and Pav. ;
and Hypericum mosertanum.

The rain had now ceased, and the remainder of the journey

I40 ARGYLLSHIRE EXCURSIONS.

was pursued under more favourable circumstances. Leaving
Benmore the road was crossed, and the path leading to Puck’s
Glen taken. A long and heavy walk up the hillside, now between
avenues of trees, and now with rocks on one side and sloping
declivities on the other, tested the powers of the excursionists.
Halts were made at suitable places, from which commanding views
of the scenery could be had. The hills on each side of the valley
are steep, and rise to a height of about 2,000 feet, and for a good
way up their slopes.are richly wooded. ‘To the north lies Loch
Eck embosomed in towering mountains. From it a lovely valley
stretches southward, through which the winding Echaig carries its
waters to join those of the sea. Further south again stretches the
Holy Loch, with many well-known watering places nestling on its
shores, while across the firth Knock Hill, near Largs, was plainly
discernible. After resting and admiring this scene the party
entered Puck’s Glen, where the botanists enjoyed themselves.
Over sixty species of wild plants were observed, the most note-
worthy of which have already been recorded. The day was
unfavourable for entomology. The district, however, is an
excellent one for the entomologist, and the following rare or
uncommon Tipulidae have been taken in it :—

DICRANOMYIA AQUOSA, Ver. ANISOMERA ZQUALIS, Lw.

GERANOMYIA UNICOLOR, Hal. AMALOPIS CLARIPENNIS, Ver.

SYMPLECTA PUNCTIPENNIS, NEPHROTOMA DORSALIS, F,
Mg. PACHYRRHINA QUADRIFARIA,

S. sTicTica, Mg. Mg.

LIMNOPHILA APERTA, Ver. P. ANNULICORNIS, Mg.

L. BICOLOR, Mg. TIPULA WINNERTZU, Egg.

L. punctum, Mg. T. Excisa, Schum.

L. sEPrum, Ver. T. PRuINosA, W.

L. LucoruM, Mg, T. GIGANTEA, Schrk.

GLEN FINART.

Glen Finart has been visited by the Society on four occasions,
the first being on the afternoon of 24th June, 1893. The excur-
sionists landed at Blairmore in fine weather, and a pleasant walk
over the four miles of beautiful and varied shore-road brought them
to Ardentinny. Passing through this tiny village, which nestles
invitingly among the shadows of its background of rugged hills,

ARGYLLSHIRE EXCURSIONS. I4I

the party proceeded up the glen road, which, at its lower end,
commands a fine view of Glen Finart House, with Finart Bay and
the blue stretch of Loch Long beyond, pushing itself up between
the picturesque lines of the Arrochar hills. On reaching the
entrance of the glen it was found that time did not permit of its
exploration. Among the plants found were the white and purple
varieties of candytuft (/éeris amara, L.), the curled cress (Lepidium
sativum, L.), plants certainly garden escapes, the small convolvulus
(Convolvulus arvensis, L.), meadow crane’s-bill (Geranium
bratense, L.), skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata, L.), tutsan
(Aypericum Androsemum, L.), wild carrot (Daucus Carota, L.),
whorled-caraway (Carum verticillatum, Koch.), great butterfly
orchis (Habenaria chlorantha, Bab.), and black spleenwort
(Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, L.).

The second visit was on 1st August, 1896. A small party
landed at Ardentinny and proceeded up Glen Finart. Aymeno-
phlyllum tunbridgense, Sm., the rarer of the filmy ferns, was the
most interesting plant met with. The Scottish filmy fern
(ZZ. unilaterale, Willd.), the maiden-hair spleenwort (Asplenium
Trichomanes, L.), and the beech fern (Polypodium Phegopteris, L.)
were also collected. The other plants seen include the round-
leaved sundew (Dyosera rotundifolia, L.), the grass of Parnassus
(Parnassia palustris, L.), eye-bright (Zuphrasia officinalis, L.), and
butterwort (Pinguteula vulgaris, L.). One moss, nium
undulatum, Hed., was noted.

On 22nd June, 1900, the Society again visited this district.
Landing at Ardentinny about four o’clock in the afternoon, the
party were met by an advance guard which had started earlier in
the day and had worked round the shore from Blairmore. The

first object of interest from a natural history point of view was the

horned poppy (Glaucium luteum, Scop.), growing freely in the
hedge skirting the roadway. Though possibly an escape the
plant has managed to establish itself securely in this sheltered
nook. The road which traverses the glen rises from the shores of
Loch Long to a considerable height among the hills, and thence
descends to the shores of Loch Eck. It thus presents an exten-
sively varied field of plant and insect life, from the peculiarly
littoral to subalpine forms. Plants observed on this occasion
and not already recorded were :—

142 ARGYLLSHIRE EXCURSIONS.

TROLLIUS EUROPUS, L. SANICULA EUROP#A, L.
COCHLEARIA OFFICINALIS, L. VALERIANA OFFICINALIS, L.
VIOLA PALUSTRIS, L. VACCINIUM MyrrtILuus, L.

V. LuTEA, Huds. SCROPHULARIA Noposa, L.
Hypericum PULCHRUM, L. RHINANTHUS CRISTA-GALLI, L.
H. PERFoRATuM, L, RUMEX SANGUINEUS, L.

Victa Cracca, L. Myrica Gatg, L.

CIRC#A LUTETIANA, L. ERIOPHORUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM,
MontTI4 Fontana, L. Roth.

SAXIFRAGA AIZOIDES, L.

The club-moss (Lycopodium clavatum, L.) and a fungus (M&itrula
phallotdes, Grev.) were also gathered.

The entomological section was very successful, and the list of
captures shows some gratifying results. The most interesting was
Dolichopeza sylvicola, Curt., a tipulid, whose white shimmering
feet had a peculiarly dazzling effect as the insect went flitting

about. The species was very abundant in Glen Finart. The
Lepidoptera captured were :—

PIERIS NAPI, L. EPHYRA PUNCTARIA, L,
VANESSA URTICA, L. (numbers FIponta ATOMARIA, L.
of whose caterpillars were C#NoONYMPHA PAMPHILUS, L.

also found). TEPHROSIA BIUNDULARIA, Esp.
ARCTIA MENTHASTRI, W. V. HADENA GLauca, Hib.

The cocoons of Odonestis potatoria, L., and Arctia Suliginosa, L.,
and the caterpillar of Bombyx guercus, H., were also taken.
Among the Coleoptera were :—

CICINDELA CAMPESTRIS, L. RHAGIUM BIFASCIATUM, F.
R. InDIGATOR, F.
The Tipulidae captured were :—

DICRANoMyia CHoREA, Mg. L. LINEOLELLA, Ver.
Ruipipia MACULATA, Mg. L. NEMORALIS, Mg.
EMPEDA NUBILA, Schum. PEDICIA RIvosa, L.
RHYPHOLOPHUS NODULOSUS, DOLICHOPEZA SYLVICOLA,
Mcq. Curt.
ERIOPTERA TAENIONOTA, Mg. TIPULA VARIPENNIS, Mg.
E. FUSCIPENNIS, Mg. T. GIGANTEA, Schrk.
EPHELIA MARMORATA, Mg. T. OLERACEA, L.

LimMNopHita MEIGENH, Ver. T. PELIosTIGMA, Schum.

ARGYLLSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 143

The ornithologists observed a pair of turnstones (Strepsi/as
interpres (Linnzeus) ) between Blairmore and Ardentinny ; the
wood wren (Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Bechstein) ), which was most
abundant in the woods, and the garden warbler (Sy/véa hortensis
(Bechstein) ) heard at a point about three miles up Glen Finart.

On the occasion of the last visit to this district, on gth August,
1902, the weather was very unfavourable and no work was done.

CASTLE TOWARD.

Three visits were made to the policies of Castle Toward. Of
the first there is, unfortunately, no record.

The second took place on 2oth June, 1896, when the Society,
in company with the Natural History Society of Glasgow, spent
the afternoon there in favourable weather. The policies and
gardens are of considerable extent, and occupy, in close proximity
to the sea, a sheltered situation which is particularly well suited
for the growth of a great variety of shrubs and trees not usually
considered, in many parts of Scotland, hardy enough to flourish
in the open air. A number of these in the avenue leading from
the lodge gate nearest Toward to the mansion-house were exam-
ined with interest. The great variety of form and colour in the
leaves of several handsome examples of the Japanese maples (Acer
palmatum, Thunb.), was specially striking. The Himalayan silver fir
(Abies Webbiana, Lindl.), with its characteristic robust horizontal
branches bearing leaves deep green on the upper and silvery-white
on the lower surface, and a well-grown example of the one-leaved
ash (Fraxinus monophylla, Desf.) arrested attention. On the
opposite side of the avenue from the latter, a birch ( Betula alba,
L.), which was conspicuous on account of its great size and from
the masses of adventitious growths on its branches, was found to
measure 8 feet 1 inch at 2 feet g inches from the ground.
Further on, at the entrance of a path leading to the gardens, a
fine specimen of the western plane (Platanus occidentalis, L.)
measured g feet 5 inches at 1 foot 11 inches from the ground
on the west side. Near the gardens some fine clumps of
bamboos were growing luxuriantly, and the tall grass-like stems
and leaves were in pleasing contrast to the more familiar plants
in the neighbourhood. JMMimudlus luteus, L, was well established
in a little stream close by. At the end of the path a Norway

144 ARGYLLSHIRE EXCURSIONS.

maple (Acer platanoides, L.) measured 7 feet 10 inches at
2 feet 11 inches from the ground on the west side. The
hoary plantain (Planxtago media, L.), was found on a grassy bank
in the vicinity. An interesting specimen of one of the Japanese
yews (Cephalotaxus drupacea, Sieb. and Zucc.) is worthy of
mention. This, like other Japanese yews, grows in a straggling
manner, and has leaves over three inches in length and somewhat
twisted in shape. Among the introduced species about the
garden walls may be mentioned Magnolia Soulangiana, French,
Diervilla florida, Sieb. and Zucc., Azara macrophylla, Hook.,
Ptelea trifoliata, L., Escalonia macrantha, Hook. and Aru.,
numerous species of clematis and jessamine. On the lawn near
the castle are many conifers mingled with evergreen and
deciduous shrubs. Among the former were noted Adces canaden-
sts, Mich., A. Albertiana, Murr., A. pinsapo, Boiss., Thujopsis
dolabrata, Sieb. and Zucc., Retinospora plumosa, Hort., and
R. filifera, Fowler. Griselinia “ittoralis, Raoul., a beautiful ever-
green, and Olearia Haastit, Hook., one of the New Zealand daisy
trees, were the most attractive of the latter. Some Portugal
laurels of great size, and covered abundantly with blossom, excited
much admiration. At the rock garden a magnolia measured
3 feet 2 inches at 3 feet 9 inches from the ground on the
west side. Along the shore the following plants were observed :—

RAPHANUS MARITIMUS, Sm. G. PRATENSE, L.

Daucus Carora, L. ANTHYLLIS VULNERARIA, L,
LrinaRIA VULGARIS, Mill. ORCHIS LATIFOLIA, L.
GERANIUM SYLVATICUM, L. HABENARIA BIFOLIA, Br.

H. CHLORANTHA, Bab.

The most interesting incident to the ornithologists was the
presence of the chiffchaff (Phy//oscopus rufus (Bechstein) ).

The next excursion to Toward was on 7th September, rgot,
and was taken part in by members of the Natural History Society
of Glasgow and of the Greenock Natural History Club. The
first object of interest within the policies was the old ruined castle,
once the seat of the chiefs of the Lamonts. Like many other
Scottish castles, it is said to have been visited by Queen Mary,
who rode from Dunoon, the castle of which place she had also
honoured with her presence.

St SS

ARGYLLSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 145

The variety and fine quality of its timber forms the chief
feature of the Castle Toward estate. The late Mr. Kirkman
Finlay, who purchased this estate, planted five million trees,
covering nine hundred acres, in Dunoon parish, besides thirty
acres in the parish of Inverchaolin, into which the lands of
Castle Toward extend. Fine examples of nearly all our deciduous
trees were seen. Among shrubs the Japanese quince, in fruit,
the spindle trees, mahonias, and barberries were conspicuous.
After wandering about the grounds the party entered the garden
and hot-houses, where a wealth of colouring and delightful
perfume regaled the organs of sight and smell. They next visited
the modern castle, which stands on a plateau, and is considered
one of the finest examples of modern Gothic architecture. It
was designed by David Hamilton, who planned the Royal
Exchange of Glasgow.

KYLES OF BUTE.

On the 25th August, 1900, the Society visited Colintraive and
Loch Ridden. From the pier at Colintraive a walk of about a
mile and a half along a road planted on each side with oaks, birch
and alders, brought the party to an elevation which commands an
extensive view. Southwards, across the Kyles, lies the island of
Bute. Right below are the real narrows where the water makes
its way between dangerous, low-lying islets. Extending to the
north, in all its grandeur, is Loch Ridden, a narrow gulf shut in
by rugged and precipitous mountains. Near the entrance to the
loch is a small inconspicuous island which recalls the part played
by one of the Argylls in the rebellion of 1685. The day was
spent working through the plantations and along the shores of
Loch Ridden to near Springfield House. The following plants
were observed :—

DROSERA ROTUNDIFOLIA, L. ACHILLEA PTARMICA, L.
LINUM CATHARTICUM, L. A. MILLEFOLIUM, L.
Hypericum ANDROS@MUM, L. EUPHRASIA OFFICINALIS, L.
H. QUADRANGULUM, L. MELAMPYRUM PRATENSE, L.
H. Humirusvum, L. DIGITALIS PURPUREA, L.
H. PuLcHRuMy, L. Lycopus EUROPUS, L.
GERANIUM DISSECTUM, L. TEUCRIUM SCORODONIA, L.

K

146 ARGYLLSHIRE EXCURSIONS.

EPILOBIUM PARVIFLORUM, GALEopsiIs TETRAHIT, L.
Schreb. SCUTELLARIA GALERICULATA,

E. MONTANUM, L. 1

LYTHRUM SALIcaRiA, L. PRIMULA VULGARIS, L., in

PARNASSIA PALUSTRIS, L. flower.

HyDROCOTYLE VULGARIS, L. LYSIMACHIA NEMORUM, L.

GNAPHALIUM SYLVATICUM, L. PP. PERSICARIA, L.

SoLIDAGO VIRGAUREA, L. POLYGONUM MINUS, Huds.

On the roadside and in the woods one was struck with the great
number of ant-hills—the work, probably, of Formica rufa, L.
The lively little inhabitants were wandering about in all directions,
and more than one member of the party suffered from their
inquisitiveness. Lepidoptera and hemiptera were scarce, but the
following ¢ipuldide were taken :-—

PTYCHOPTERA ALBIMANA, F. AMALOPIS LITTORALIS, Mg.
LIMNOBIA BIFASCIATA, Schrk. PeEpDIcIA RIvosA, L.

L. QUADRINOTATA, Mg. TIPULA LUTESCENS, F.
RHIPIDIA MACULATA, Mg. T. conrusa, V. de Wulp.

EPHELIA SUBMARMORATA, Ver.

ARROCHAR HILLS.

In search of fresh ground for their Alpine excursions the Society,
on 18th July, 1891, selected Ben Ime (3,318 feet), a hill lying to
the north of the ‘‘ Cobbler,” of whose flora there were no records,
as worthy of attack. The party proceeded by Loch Lomond to
Tarbet, and thence to the head of Loch Long, from which the
ascent was made. At Tarbet rain began to fall heavily, and
continued till the excursionists were some way up the hill. The
mist then cleared, and the remainder of the climb was made under
more favourable circumstances. The route taken followed the
course of the Allt-a-Bhalachain, a typical mountain torrent. The
watershed to the north of the “Cobbler” was reached, and from
that a long grassy slope led to the cairn on the summit of Ben
Ime. Here a magnificent view of the surrounding country was
got, notwithstanding the somewhat unfavourable atmospheric
conditions. The descent was made by the course of the Allt-
Coiregrogan into Glen Luing, which opens up into the head of

ARGYLLSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 147

Loch Long. The latter part of the route yielded by far the best
results, most of the Alpine plants being gathered here. A more
systematic and prolonged search earlier in the season would have
met with greater success.

The plants noted in this and following excursions are all
recorded in Mr. Lee’s paper, ‘The Flora of the Arrochar Hills”
(wide page 80).

On 18th July, 1896, a second visit was paid to the Arrochar
district. On this occasion the party began the ascent of Ben
Narnain from Succoth farm at the entrance of Glen Luing, and
followed the bed of the Succoth burn on the north-east side of
the mountain. At an elevation of a little over 1,500 feet the
main stream is joined, on the south-west side, by a smaller one
which descends from the peak. The course of this tributary was
followed from its junction to within a short distance of the summit.
From the top the party crossed to the south side of the mountain,
and descended a steep rocky slope, strewed with large boulders,
to the gully between Ben Narnain and Ben Arthur. The course
of the Allt-a-Bhalachain was followed downward for the remainder
of the journey. From an elevation of about 1,000 feet upwards
the hill was enveloped in a dense mist during the entire day, so
that no view was to be had. A continuous rain, and the marshy
nature of the ground upon the lower parts of the hill, added to the
general discomfort.

All through the marshes, and indeed generally in the Arrochar
district, is an abundance of the whorled caraway (Cavum
verticillatum, Koch.), which was the first plant of interest noted.
The banks of the stream by which the ascent was made are
adorned with a rich variety of common alpine and sub-alpine
plants, conspicuous among these being Sedum Rhodiola, D.C.,
Oxyria digyna, Hill, Alchemilla alpina, L., and Geranium
sylvaticum, L. The globe flower (Zvollius europeus, L.) was
found abundantly, but was past flowering. The alpine hair-grass,
Deschampsia alpina, R. and S., is common up to an elevation of
nearly 2,000 feet, many plants of this species in a viviparous con-
dition being seen. The alpine meadow-rue (Z%alictrum alpinum,
L.), is frequent along the course of the stream. Near the summit
of the mountain the abundance of the fruit of the crow-berry (Zmfet-
rum nigrum, L.) attracted attention. Here also /uncus trifidus, L.,

148 ARGYLLSHIRE EXCURSIONS.

was observed. The parsley fern (Czxyptogramme crispa, Br.) was
found growing plentifully on the south side of the summit. In the
same locality the rare Vaccinium uliginosum, L., was found plentiful.
The most interesting finds among the mosses were:—AHyocomium
Jragellare, B. and S., Entosthodon ericetorum, De Not., Hetero-
cladium heteropterum, Bank., and Pottia Heimii, Firnr.

The 25th May, 1905, saw the Society once more investigating
the hills of this part of Argyllshire, and once more the weather
conditions were unfavourable. In the early portion of the day
there were a few blinks of sunshine, but afterwards rain fell more
or less throughout the day, and, as mist came down on the hills,
it was deemed advisable to confine attention to the “ Cobbler,”
leaving out Ben Ime, whose lower slopes were visible only once
during a break in the mist. The route followed was up the lower
slopes of Ben Narnain to the corrie between that hill and the
“Cobbler,” and thence to the summit of the latter. The return
journey was made down the course of the Allt-a-Bhalachain. The
hill climbers confined their attention mainly to the botanical
features, At an elevation of 800 feet a fine bank of Anfennaria
dioica, Geertn., was found in flower, and in the gorge of the
Allt-a-Bhalachain Sanicula europea, L., and Lathyrus macrorr-
hizus, Wimm., were very luxuriant. Rubus Chamemorus, L., was
got at 2,200 feet. At 2,500 feet Hymenophyllum unilaterale,
Willd., and Lycopodium alpinum, L., were seen. Some flowers of
Cailtha palustris, L., at this elevation seemed to have their beauty
enhanced by their position. Salix herbacea, L., was seen coming
into leaf near the summit of the mountain. In coming down
from Ben Narnain a bush of Juniperus communis, L., var. nana,
Willd., was found, thus extending the range of this shrub.

The following mosses are recorded :—

ANDREA PETROPHILA, Ehrh. AULOCOMNIUM PALUSTRE,

A. Rotuu, W. & M. Schwegr.

OLIGOTRICHUM INCURVUM, BREUTELIA ARCUATA, Schp.
Lindb. BRYUM ALPINUM, Huds. (in fruit).

POLYTRICHUM ALPINUM, L. FONTINALIS ANTIPYRETICA, L.

DipHyscium FroLiosuM, Mohr. HyocoMIuM FLAGELLARE, B. &S.

HeEpwicia citiata, Erhr. HYPNUM OCHRACEUM, Turn.

TRICHOSTOMUM TENUIROSTRE, H. SARMENTOSUM, Wahl.
Lindb. HYLOCOMIUM LOREUM, B. & S.

ARGYLLSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 149

Species of fresh water algae belonging to the genera Microspora
and Cladophora were got in the mountain burns, while in bog
pools several species of Mougeotia, some in the conjugating stage,
were collected.

The ornithologists had the pleasure of seeing the ptarmigan
(Zagopus mutus, (Montin)) on the “Cobbler.” The most
interesting of the summer birds observed in the valley were the
whinchat (Pratincola rubetra (Linnzus)), the wood wren
(Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Bechstein) ), and the tree pipit (Anthus
trivialis (Linnzus) ),

The entomologists confined themselves to the ground on the
right bank of the Loin river. Their captures, owing to the state
of the weather, were mainly tipulidz, of which the following are
recorded :—

DIxa MACULATA, Mg. ERIOPTERA TZNIONOTA, Mg.
LIMnosia NEBECULOSA, Mg. LIMNOPHILA MEIGENII, Ver.
DICRANOMYIA CHOREA, Mg. L. LINEOLELLA, Ver.

EmpeEpA NuBILA, Schum. AMALOPIS IMMACULATA, Mg.
GONIOMYIA TENELLA, Mg. DOLICHOPEZA SYLVICOLA, Curl.

MoLopuitus BIFILATUS, Ver. TIPULA RUFINA, Mg.
RHYPHOLOPHUS NODULOSUS, TT. HORTULANA, Mg.
Mcq. T. PLUMBEA, F.

The hillsides were alive with the last.

** Adam and Eve,” 28
Allander, The, 19-20
Allt-a-Bhalachain, 83-117, 146-8
Allt-Coiregrogain, 82, 146
Allt-Sugach, 83-101
Ambrismore, 78
Andersonian College, 24
Antiquities, 35-52
Ardeer, 48

Ardentinny, 140-3
Ardgatan, 94, 109
Ardlui, 33, 54, 81, 88
Ardmore, 26

Ardnadam, 137
Ardscalpsie, 78
Ardvoirlich, 83

Argyll’s Bowling Green, 81
Arrochar, 32, 80-125, 147
Arrochar Hills, 28, 146
Ascog, Loch, 78
Auchengaich Burn, 29
Auchentorlie Glen, 24
Auchinedin Hill, 21
Auldmurroch Burn, 21-2
Ayr, 54

Baldernock, 21
Ballantrae, 37
Balloch, 25, 71
Bar Hill, 19
Barmufilock, 10
Bearsden, 20
Beinn-an-Lochain, 81
Ben-a-Bhuidhe, 28
Ben Arthur, 81-125, 147
»» Ime, 81-125, 146-8
;, Lomond, 88
= Narnain, 81-126, 147-8
5, Wane, 81-125
», Vorlich, 33, 81-126
Benmore, 137-8
Birds of Rouken Glen, 63-70
», Dumbartonshire, 22-32
Bute and Cumbrae, 72-4
Birgidale, 73, 78
Blacketty, The, 2
Blackpark Plantation, 77
Blairmore, 140-3
Bloomeries, 48
Bloomhill Glen, 27
Botanic Gardens, 54
Bowling, 22-6
Boxlaw, 7
Braes, 10
Bridesburn, 2
Bridge of Weir, 1
Bute, Island of, 145

Cadder Wilderness, 53
Cadzow Forest, 53
Caldarvan, 24, 25

A Loch, 25

INDEX.

Caledonian Hill-fort, 24
Calder, The, 2
Camis Eskan, 27
Campsie Fells, 19
Capelrig Burn, 68
Cardross, 26
Carruth, 1, 2
Cart, River, 135
Castlecary, 18
Castle Toward, 143-5
Cathkin Braes, 53
Clachshiant, 37, 39, 43-50
Clober Moor, 20
Clyde, Firth of, 27

», River, a 26

» Valley,
Cobbler, The; 56, 141-149
Cochno, 21
Colintraive, 145
Columnar Sandstone, 77
Condorrat, 19
Corrie of Narnain, 82, 83
Corrie-Sugach, 82-114
Craigendoran, 27
Craigmore, 73
Craigton Burn, 20

oH Wood, 20, 21, 53

Crannog, The, 26
Crois, 81-125
Croy, 19
Cruach-Tarbet, 32, 81-117
Cruach, The, 81-3
Culbin Sands, 51
Cumbernauld, 18, 19
“*Cup and Ring” Marks, 21

Dalmuir, 21, 25
Dalry, 1, 54
Darleith Glen, 27
Deaconsbank Dam, 63-70
Dougalston Loch, 19
Wood, 21, 53
Douglas Support, 53
Drumpellier, 60
Dullatur, 18-9
Dumbarton, 21, 25
te Rock, 25
Dumbuck, 26
Dunagoil Bay, 75
Dunbuie, 24
Duncomb, 21-2
Dunoon, 144-5
Dunragit, 35
Duntocher, 21

Earnock, 54

East Girt Hill, 7
Echaig, River, 139-140
Edinbarnet, 21
Edinburgh, 47
Erskine, 53

152 INDEX.

Fad, Loch, 78

Faifiey, 21

Fairy Glen, 136

Ferns, Records of, 24, 72, 77, 79, 122-4, 137-8, 141
Fiddler’s Gill, 54

Finlaystone, 53 —

Finnich Glen, 21

Fintry Bay, 71, 141

Firth of Clyde, 27

Fleckit Hill, 50

Forehouse, 10

Fungi, Records of, 4, 28, 33, 53-62, 79, 138

Gallangad Glen, 21, 24
Gareloch, 28
Garelochhead, 29
Garnock, The, 2
Garroch Head, 73
Garscube, 21, 53
Gate of Sodom, 23
Giant’s Causeway, 43
Girvan, 37
Glasgow, 54
Glen Callum, 77

», Croe, 81-116

i », Burn, 80

>, Finart, 140-3

» Fruin, 28-9

», Loin, 81-83, 93-125

», Luing, 146-7

;, Masson, 137
Glenluce Sands, 51
Goat Fell, 88
Gorge Kaims, 10
Great Cumbrae, 71
Greenock, 1

‘a Nat. History Club, 144

Green Water, The, 2
Gryffe, The, 1, 2, 7

Hamilton Low Parks, 53
Hawkhead, 53, 60
Heads of Ayr, 37
Helensburgh, 25, 29

vis Nat. and Ant. Society, 26
High Corby Knowes, 7
High Torrs, 37, 39, 47, 50
Hill of Stake, 7
Holy Loch, 138-40
Horse Hill, 47, 50
Hut Circles, 29

Inchconnachan, 31
Inchlonaig, 31
Inchmoan, 31
Inchmurrin, 32
Inchtavannach, 31
Insects, Records of, in Argyllshire, 138-149

4 x », Bute and Cumbrae, 78
a Be » Dumbartonshire, 30-1
Inverchaolin, 145
Inversnaid, 82
Inveruglas, The, 81-2

Johnstone Castle, 53

Kelvin, River, 19

Keppel Pier, 71
Kilchattan Bay, 73, 74, 77
Killeter Moor, 28
Kilmacolm, 2, 7
Kilmahew, 27
Kilmaronock, 24

Kilmun, 136-9

Kilpatrick Hills, 19, 21-4

Kilsyth, 19
Knock Allan, 50
», Hill, 140

Kyles of Bute, 145

Laigh Torrs, 37, 48-9
Lane Pad, The, 50
Lanes, The, 50
Largs, 140
Lennox Castle, 53
Lenzie, 18
Lichens, Records of, 3, 72
Lime Walk, The, 72
Lion Rock, 72
Loch Ascog, 78

», Eck, 138-141

>» Fad, 78

” Fyne, 81

», Goil, 29

», Humphrey, 21-2

ae Burn, 21
;, Lomond, 22-33, 81-126, 146
,»» Long, 32, 80-119, 141-7
» Ridden, 145
» Ryan, 36
>, Sloy, 32, 81-125
Lochar, The, 1
Lochwinnoch, 2
Lodanmore, 50
Lodanree, 50
Low Parks, Hamilton, 53
Luce Bay, 35
Luss, 18, 29-31, 122

Mains Wood, 20

Maisch, The, 2

Mammals, Records of, 32, 73
Maryhill, 21

Masson, River, 139
Measurements of Trees, 27, 32, 128-131, 143-4
Mid Torrs, 37-50

Millburn, 2

Millport, 71

Milngavie, 19-22

Minix, The, 50

Misty Law, 7, 10
Montgreenan Woods, 60
Mosses, Records of, 4, 33, 148
Mount Misery, 25

Mount Stuart, 72-3

Murroch Glen, 22-3

Natural Hist. Society of Glasgow, 23-4, 137, 143-4
New Kilpatrick, 21 4

Newton Mearns, 68

Noddsdale Glen, 1

Old Kilpatrick, 22, 25
Overtoun, 23

Peak, 10

Peock Stone, 10

Piltanton Burn, 35

Plants, Records of, in Argyllshire, 137-149

on Arrochar Hills, 80-126
in Bute and Cumbrae, 71-79
in Dumbartonshire, 18-33
in Renfrewshire, 5-10

” ”
” 2”
”» ”

Pollok Estate, 53
Pot Holes, 137
Puck’s Glen, 136-140

Rashfield, 136
Rhinns of Galloway, 35

ee

Pe ae

Se

River Allander, 19-20

», Blacketty, 2

» Calder, 2

» Cart, 135

», Clyde, 19, 26

» Echaig, 139-140

», Garnock, 2

», Green-water, 2

» Gryffe, 1, 2,7

», Kelvin, 19

», Lochar, 1

» Maisch, 2

», Masson, 139
Robber Craigs, 7, 10
Roman Camp, 46, 50

» Wall, 19
Rosneath, 18, 28, 29, 54
Ross Priory, 24
Rothesay, 72-3
Rouken Glen, 53, 65-6, 69
Rowardennan, 54

St. Blane’s Chapel, 76
St. Germain’s Loch, 20
St. Ninian’s Bay, 78
Saltcoats, 37
Sandhead, 35

Page 78, line 5, for ‘‘ Chilosia grossa” read ‘‘ Chilosia grossa Fallén.”

INDEX.

Shewalton, 52
Sour Milk Burn, 83
South Bute, 74, 76
South Garrochty, 76
Stockie Moor, 21
Stravanan Bay, 73
Stuckindroin, 33, 83
Succoth Burn, 83, 147

rE Farm, 92-101, 147
Suidhe Plantation, 75

Tarbet, 80-124, 146
Torrance, 60
Toward, 143-4

Trees, Records of, 27-8, 72, 138-9, 144

Twechar, 19

Wamh Phadrich, 75
Wee Lodanmore, 50
West Bay, 71

West Ferry Wood, 53
West Kilbride, 54
Whangie, The, 21
Whistlefield, 29

Zoological Society of Glasgow, 72

ERRATUM.

153

154
SHSSION (ke xX f1IT-“1907., .).

OFFICE-BEARERS.

President.
ROBERT GARRY, B.Sc.

Bice-Presidents.
JOHN MAIN, F.G.S.
ROBERT WILSON.

Honorary Treasurer.
ROBERT BROWN.

Honorary Secretaries.
R. B. JOHNSTONE, 70 CAMBRIDGE DRIVE.
ARCHD. PARK, 90 GREAT GEORGE STREET.

SMembers of Council.

D. A. Boyp. Mrs. P. EwINe.
Mrs. D. M‘LACHLAN. ROBERT HENDERSON.
CHRISTOPHER SHERRY. WILLIAM RENNIE.
Ropert M‘LEAN, M.A. | Joun Woop.

And ex-officits the CONVENERS OF THE SECTIONAL COMMITTEES, viz. :—

Botanical—IsaBe. J. HUNTER. Ornithological—Tuos. W. WILSON.
Microscopical—J. D. LESLIE. Zoological—J. G. CONNELL.
Entomological—ALEx. Ross. Photographical—WM. M. PETTIGREW.
Geological—SoruHia B. ROBBIE. Publication and Library—GEO. HERRIOT.

Delegate to the Conference of the
Corresponding Societies of the Brith | Mar B. Gitmour, F.Z.S.
Association, = - = : : 3

Representative to the Committee of the Marine | James MircHet
Biological Association of the West of Scotland, -

Auditors DoNALD DEWAR.
CHARLES CUNNINGHAM.
SRS Aden

, MUSEUM
5 DEC 21

| NATURAL
YISTORY.

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