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GOLONSAY 


OSlimatc,  Geology,  etc 


Murdoch  IVTNeill 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


COLONSAY 

ITS    PLANTS,    ETC. 


COLONSAY 

ONE     OF     THE     HEBRIDES 


ITS  PLANTS :  THEIR  LOCAL  NAMES  AND  USES 
—  LEGENDS,  RUINS,  AND  PLACE-NAMES- 
GAELIC  NAMES  OF  BIRDS,  FISHES,  ETC.  — 
CLIMATE,  GEOLOGICAL  FORMATION,  ETC. 


BY 

MURDOCH   MCNEILL 


EDINBURGH 
DAVID      DOUGLAS 

1910 


THIS   VOLUME    IS 

IRespectfullE  S>efcicatefc 

TO   THE   RIGHT   HONOURABLE 

LORD   STRATHCONA  AND   MOUNT  ROYAL, 

G.C.M.G.,  G.C.V.O.,  D.C.L.,  LL.D.,  D.L. 

IN  ACKNOWLEDGMENT  OP   HIS  GENEROUS  ASSISTANCE, 

WHICH    HAS  ENABLED   THIS  VOLUME   TO  BE 

COMPLETED    AND    PUBLISHED 


DA 


PREFACE 

A  COLLECTION  of  the  plants  of  his  native  island  was  begun 
by  the  writer  in  1903,  during  a  period  of  convalescence,  and 
was  continued  as  a  recreation,  from  time  to  time,  as  occasion 
offered.  In  1908  the  idea  of  making  use  of  the  material 
accumulated  and  arranging  it  for  publication  was  conceived, 
and  to  put  it  into  effect  a  final  endeavour  was  made  that 
season  to  have  the  plant  list  of  the  island  as  complete  as  the 
circumstances  would  permit. 

In  preparing  the  little  volume  for  the  press,  the  lack  of 
works  of  reference  was  found  a  serious  drawback.  The 
following  publications  were  found  most  helpful : — Bentham 
and  Hooker's  British  Flora ;  Withering's  English  Botany ; 
Cameron's  Gaelic  Names  of  Plants ;  Hogan's  Irish  and 
Scottish  Gaelic  Names  of  Herbs,  Plants,  Trees,  etc. ;  Gregory's 
History  of  the  West  Highlands ;  Oransay  and  its  Monastery, 
by  F.  C.  E.  M'Xeill ;  "  Colla  Ciotach  Mac  Ghilleasbuig,"  by 
Prof.  Mackinnon  (Celtic  Monthly,  Sept.  1903-Jan.  1904); 
Geikie's  Scenery  of  Scotland ;  Notes  on  the  Geology  of  Colon- 
say  and  Oransay,  by  Prof.  Geikie;  The  Two  Earth-Movements 
of  Colonsay,  by  W.  B.  Wright,  B.A.,  F.G.S. ;  Sketch  of  the 
Geology  of  the  Inner  Hebrides,  by  Prof.  Heddle  ;  Journals  of 

719649 


vi  PREFACE 

the  Scottish  Meteorological  Society  ;  Address  on  the  Climate 
of  the  British  Isles,  by  A.  Watt,  M.A.,  etc. 

Among  the  many  friends  who  have  given  generous  aid, 
special  thanks  are  due  to  two  gentlemen  in  particular  r 
Mr  Arthur  Bennett,  F.L.S.,  who  has  named  or  verified  nearly 
all  the  Colonsay  plants ;  and  Professor  Mackinnon,  of  the 
Celtic  Chair,  Edinburgh,  a  native  of  Colonsay,  who  kindly 
read  the  proof-sheets  and  corrected  the  Gaelic  names. 
Others  kindly  gave  help  in  a  variety  of  ways.  Thus  Mr 
E.  B.  Bailey,  who  was  engaged  for  several  seasons  in  the 
Geological  Survey  of  the  island,  corrected  and  amplified  the 
chapter  on  Geology. 

In  determining  doubtful  species,  assistance  was  received 
from  the  authorities  at  Kew  and  the  following  gentlemen  : — 
Kev.  W.  Moyle  Rogers,  F.L.S.,  Bournemouth  (Rubi) ; 
Mr  W.  Barclay,  Perth  (Rosa) ;  Rev.  E.  S.  Marshall,  M.A., 
F.L.S.,  Taunton  (Euphrasia,  Betula,  etc.) ;  Rev.  E.  F.  Linton, 
M.A.,  Salisbury  (Mentha,  Hieracia,  Salix,  etc.);  Mr  Charles 
T.  Druery,  F.L.S.,  Acton  (Ferns);  the  late  Rev.  W.  R. 
Linton,  M.A.  (Hieracia) ;  Rev.  G.  R.  Bullock  Webster,  F.L.S. 
(Chara,  Tolypella). 

For  information  concerning  the  plants  of  the  surrounding 
islands  and  assistance  in  other  ways,  the  writer  is  much 
indebted  to  Mr  Symers  M.  Mac  Vicar  (flora  of  Tiree,  Eigg, 
Lismore,  etc.),  Dr  Gilmour  (list  of  the  Islay  plants),  Mr  P. 
Ewing,  F.L.S.  (Glasgow  Catalogue  of  Native  and  Estab- 
lished Plants),  Dr  M'Neill,  Medical  Officer  of  the  County 
of  Argyll,  and  others;  and  to  Mr  Donald  M'Neill,  Lower 
Kilchattan,  and  the  older  inhabitants  for  information  on 
local  matters. 


PREFACE  vii 

The  writer  trusts  that  much  of  the  matter  contained  in  the 
following  pages  may  be  regarded  as  typical  of  and  applicable 
in  many  respects  to  the  Western  Islands  as  a  whole.  He 
would  gladly  have  entered  into  greater  detail  regarding  the 
old-time  industries,  place-names,  topography,  traditions,  and 
folk-lore  of  Colonsay,  but  the  general  reader  may  be  of 
opinion  that  enough  has  been  said  on  these  matters  in  a 
work  primarily  intended  to  treat  of  the  flora  of  the  island. 

M.  Mc^. 

KILORAN,  COLONSAY, 
.  December  1909. 


CONTENTS 


CHAP.  PAGB 

1.  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION      .'            .            .  .'           .             .             3 

2.  CLIMATE           .            .                        ...  45 

3.  GEOLOGICAL    FORMATION               .             .  '    .             .             .          54 

4.  WOODS,    LOCHS,    AND    PASTURES           .  .            .            .69 

THE    FLORA            ......  86 

INDEX           .             .  205 


COLONSAY 

ONE    OF    THE    HEBRIDES 


CHAPTER  I 

GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

THE  islands  of  Colonsay  and  Oransay  and  the  neighbouring 
islands  of  Islay,  Jura,  and  Scarba,  with  their  islets,  constitute 
the  group  of  the  South  Inner  Hebrides.  Colonsay  and 
Oransay  were  formerly  jointly  known  as  Eilean  Tarsuinn 
(or  the  cross-lying  island),  so  designated,  it  would  seem, 
from  an  exaggerated  notion  of  their  oblique  position  with 
relation  to  the  Sound  of  Islay.  In  the  Old  Statistical 
Account  it  is  mentioned,  but  erroneously,  that  they  are 
named  after  two  saints,  Colon  and  Oran. 

Colonsay  (Gaelic,  Colasa)  is  9  miles  long,  and  averages  3 
in  breadth;  with  Oransay,  the  length  is  12  miles.  Situated 
in  lat.  56°  5'  N.,  long.  6°  15'  W.,  the  island  is  distant  by  sea 
from  Greenock  about  110  miles  and  from  Oban  about  38. 
In  striking  contrast  to  the  opposite  island  of  Jura,  whose 
Paps  rise  steeply  from  the  Atlantic  to  a  height  of  2571  feet, 
and  the  more  distant  Mull,  where  Ben  Mor  attains  an 
altitude  of  3169  feet,  Colonsay  is  low-lying;  Carnan  Eoin, 
its  highest  hill,  not  exceeding  470  feet  above  sea-level. 
The  channel  that  separates  it  from  the  nearest  islands 
varies  in  breadth  from  8  to  20  miles,  widening  from  south 


4  COLONSAY 

to  north.  The  depth  of  the  channel  generally  is  less  than 
20  fathoms,  but  north  of  the  island  the  sea  deepens  con- 
siderably with  an  irregular  bottom. 

Notwithstanding  the  low  elevation,  in  clear  weather 
distant  views  of  the  other  islands  and  of  the  mainland  can 
be  obtained.  Northward,  beyond  the  isles  of  lona,  Tiree, 
and  Coll,  the  outline  of  what  is  thought  to  be  the  peak 
of  Ben  Heavel  (1260  feet)  in  Barra,  70  miles  away,  has 
been  observed.  The  hills  of  Donegal  in  Ireland  to  the 
south-west,  and  Goatfell  in  Arran,  44  miles  off,  are  more 
frequently  seen.  In  winter  the  snow-capped  Ben  Cruachan 
and  other  Argyllshire  hills,  and  even  Ben  Nevis,  60  miles 
distant,  are  familiar  objects  on  the  horizon  in  the  north-east. 
On  the  western  side  the  wide  sweep  of  the  Atlantic  is 
broken  only  by  the  lonely  Du  Hirteach  lighthouse  (15  miles 
off)  and  a  few  barren  rocks ;  the  Skerryvore  light  flashing 
into  view  across  the  intervening  37  miles  of  sea  only  when 
the  sky  is  very  clear. 

For  several  hours  during  low  water  the  smaller  island  of 
Uransay  is  connected  with  the  southern  end  of  Colonsay  by 
a  sandy,  islet-dotted  strand.  Oransay  (Gaelic,  Orasa)  is 
derived  from  the  Norse  (Orjiris-ey  =  ebb-tide  island).  The 
name  is  common  in  the  West,  there  being  some  twenty  of 
them  between  the  western  shores  and  islands.  Oransay  is 
about  2000  acres  in  extent,  and  hilly  on  the  north ;  its 
highest  hill,  Beinn  Orasa,  being  308  feet  above  sea-level. 
The  southern  portion  is  low-lying,  with  sand-dunes  over- 
grown with  Sea  Maram,  Sea  Sedge,  and  other  plants  and 
mosses,  which  assist  in  binding  the  sand.  With  the  excep- 
tion of  some  shrubby  Willows  and  Elders,  the  island  is 
treeless. 

After  his  departure  from  Ireland  in  563,  St  Columba  is 
said  to  have  landed  at  Oransay,  but  there  is  no  historical 
record  confirming  this  tradition.  Port-na-h-Iubhraich  (Port 
of  the  Barge),  at  lochdar-na-Garbhaird,  on  the  west  side  of 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  5 

the  Strand,  has  been  suggested  as  his  probable  landing-place. 
According  to  local  tradition,  this  was  also  the  spot  where,  at 
a  later  date,  the  galley  of  a  viking  chief  came  ashore.  It  is 
related  of  St  Columba  that  before  he  left  Ireland  he  made  a 
vow  never  to  settle  within  sight  of  his  native  hills,  and  dis- 
covering that  he  could  still  see  them  from  the  Beinn  in 
Oransay,  he  moved  to  lona. 

The  earliest  mention  that  we  have  of  Colonsay  is  in 
Adamnan's  Life  of  St  Columba,  which  was  written  about 
A.D.  693,  i.e.  about  ninety-six  years  after  the  saint's  death. 
The  name  in  Adamnan's  Latin  is  Colosus.  In  this,  the  oldest 
book  which  can  be  proved  to  have  been  written  in  Scotland, 
the  author  relates  an  interesting  story  of  one  Ere  Mocudruidi, 
who  had  the  hardihood  to  cross,  in  a  small  boat,  the  stormy 
strip  of  ocean  that  separates  Colonsay  from  lona,  with  the 
intention  of  stealing  the  seals  that  St  Columba  was  rearing 
for  his  own  use.  He  hid  his  coracle  among  the  sand-hills  in 
Mull,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  sound,  and,  in  concealment, 
waited  for  the  fall  of  night  for  carrying  out  his  dishonest 
design.  St  Columba,  perceiving  his  purpose,  sent  two  of 
the  brethren  to  apprehend  him.  "  Why  dost  thou  often 
steal  the  goods  of  others,  transgressing  the  divine  command  ? 
When  thou  art  in  need,  come,  and  then  thou  shalt  receive 
for  the  asking  all  that  is  necessary,"  said  the  saint  when 
the  culprit  was  brought  before  him;  and,  lest  he  should 
return  empty,  he  caused  sheep  to  be  killed  for  him.  Fore- 
seeing in  spirit  that  the  death  of  the  thief  was  at  hand, 
St  Columba  ordered  Baithene  in  Tiree  to  send  to  him 
to  Colonsay,  as  a  last  gift,  a  fat  sheep  and  six  pecks  of 
corn.  On  the  day  that  the  presents  arrived  Mocudruidi 
died  suddenly,  and  the  gifts  were  used  by  the  mourners 
at  the  funeral  feast. 

The  Norwegians  held  the  Western  Islands  for  upwards  of 
400  years,  and  although  it  is  nearly  650  years  since  they  lost 
possession,  evidences  of  their  occupation  are  not  wanting  in 


6  COLONSAY 

Colonsay  in  place-names — e.g.  Poll-na-Cnarradh  (Ga.  Poll  = 
pool,  NOT.  Knarr  =  vessel;  i.e.  the  Pool  of  the  Vessel), 
Scalasaig  (Bay  of  Small  Huts),  Cnoc  Innibrig  (Knoll  of 
Ingibiorg),  etc. — in  legends,  and  in  interments  such  as  were 
dug  up  at  Lag-na-Birlinn,  Machrins  golf-links,  and  at  Traigh- 
nam-Barc.  Bronze  coins  of  Wigmund,  Archbishop  of  York 
A.D.  837-854,  similar  to  one  recently  found  in  a  ship-burial 
in  the  island  of  Arran,  were  discovered  in  the  viking's  grave 
at  Lag-na-Birlinn.  A  sword,  rusty  and  almost  mouldered 
away,  was  lying  near  the  bones  of  the  warrior  who  met 
his  death  at  Traigh-nam-Barc,  the  local  tradition  in  connec- 
tion with  it  being,  that  a  fight  took  place  in  the  vicinity 
between  natives  and  the  Norsemen  who  landed  from  the 
galley  at  Port-na-h-Iubhraich.  The  leader  of  the  latter  was 
killed,  and  his  body  encased  in  the  stone  coffin,  which  lay  in 
the  ground  undisturbed  for  more  than  600  years.  Three 
of  the  principal  hill-forts — Dun  Eibhinn,  Dun  Ghallain, 
and  Dun  Cholla — are  said  to  have  been  named  after 
three  sons — Edmund,  Gallan,  and  Coll — of  the  King  of 
Lochlann.  In  one  of  the  Norse  sagas  mention  is  made 
of  a  certain  Earl  Gilli,  Lord  of  Coin  (Colonsay  or  Coll?), 
being  married  in  the  eleventh  century  to  a  Norwegian  lady 
of  high  rank. 

The  Druid's  circle,  some  rough  stones  arranged  in  a 
circular  manner  at  Buaile  Riabhach,  recalls  a  still  more 
remote  and  mysterious  past.  Britain,  before  the  Roman 
invasion,  was  the  stronghold  of  Druidism,  and  not  until  the 
Celtic  people  were  converted  to  Christianity  did  this  form  of 
worship  entirely  disappear  from  their  midst.  The  cill  's  are 
of  Christian  origin.  They  are  the  remains  of  chapels  which 
were  in  use  before,  some  of  them  after,  the  Reformation. 
Sites  of  about  a  dozen  of  these  old  structures  are  pointed  out 
in  various  places  in  the  island.  Portions  of  the  walls  of  two 
— Temple  of  the  Glen  and  Kilchattan — are  yet  standing, 
and,  judging  by  what  is  still  seen  of  the  walls,  they  were  of 


GENERAL   DESCRIPTION  7 

small  size.  Gravestones  show  that  burials  were  made  within 
and  around  the  buildings.  Of  some  of  these  old  structures 
hardly  a  trace  now  remains.  Time,  in  its  work  of  destruc- 
tion, was  aided  by  man,  who  found  the  stones  (as  well 
as  those  constructing  the  duns)  useful  for  various  other 
purposes.  The  dedications  were  to  Columba  (Oransay), 
Oran,  Catan,  Ciaran,  Coinneach,  Maol-Rubha  (Cill-a- 
Rubha),  Moire  (Mary — two  dedications,  one  in  Colonsay 
and  one  in  Oransay),  Bride  (Bridget),  and  Catriona 
(Catherine). 

Among  the  possessions  confirmed  by  David  II.  in  1344  to 
John,  Lord  of  the  Isles,  we  find  Colonsay  included.  The 
island  was  occupied  until  the  seventeenth  century  by  the 
M'Duffies  or  M'Phees.  They  held  it  from  the  M'Donalds,  but 
there  is  no  evidence  to  show  at  what  period  they  first  came 
into  possession,  or  indeed  that  they  ever  had  a  written  charter 
of  the  island.  After  the  forfeiture  of  the  Lordship  of  the 
Isles,  M'Phee,  like  M'Donald  of  Islay,  became  a  tenant  of 
the  Crown.  M'Phee  was  clerk  or  secretary  to  the  council 
or  parliament  of  the  M'Donalds  of  Islay.  Their  stronghold 
was  evidently  Dun  Eibhinn,  from  which  their  title  of  Lord 
of  Dun  Eibhinn,  engraved  on  a  tombstone  in  lona,  had  been 
derived.  A  Donald  M'Duffie  or  M'Phee  of  Colonsay  wit- 
nessed a  charter  of  John,  Earl  of  Ross,  in  1463.  In  1609 
another  of  the  name  and  designation  was  present  at  the 
assembly  of  island  chiefs  in  lona  presided  over  by  Bishop 
Knox,  when  the  nine  famous  statutes  of  Icolmkill  were 
enacted. 

Something  of  the  history  of  the  M'Phees  may  be  learned 
from  the  inscriptions  on  their  tombstones.  Their  burial- 
place  was  a  small  chapel  built  against  the  south  wall  of  the 
church  in  Oransay.  It  contained  some  of  the  sculptured 
stones  now  arranged  along  the  north  side  of  the  church. 
One  of  these  is  to  the  memory  of  Murchardus  M'Duffie, 
who  died  in  1539.  Another  was  over  the  tomb  of  Sir 


8  COLONSAY 

Donald  M'Duffie,  abbot  in  Oransay  when  Dean  Monro 
made  his  tour  of  the  Western  Isles  in  1549.  Monro 
wrote  that  "the  He  is  brucket  by  ane  gentle  capitane 
callit  M'Duffyhe,  and  pertained  of  auld  to  clan  Donald 
of  Kintyre." 

The  last  of  the  M'Phees  of  Colonsay,  Malcolm  M'Phee, 
was  killed  at  Eilean-nan-Kon,  south  of  Oransay,  by  Coll 
Ciotach  in  February  1623.  Earlier  in  the  century  he, 
according  to  Gregory,  had  been  compelled  for  a  time  to  hold 
his  lands  from  Argyll,  instead  of  M  'Don  aid  of  Islay.  This 
circumstance,  however,  did  not  prevent  him  from  joining 
Sir  James  M'Donald  when  the  latter  escaped  from  Edinburgh 
Castle  in  1615.  The  rising  was  unsuccessful,  and  at  its 
close  M'Phee  was  delivered  into  the  hands  of  Argyll  by 
Coll  Ciotach,  one  of  his  associates  in  the  recent  revolt. 

After  being  detained  for  some  time  as  a  prisoner  in 
Edinburgh,  M'Phee  was  allowed  to  return  to  Colonsay. 
Places  of  concealment  in  various  parts  of  the  island,  named 
after  him  (leab'  fhalaich  Mhic-a-Phl),  indicate  that  he  had 
been  hunted  about  from  place  to  place  for  some  time  before 
his  death.  He  was  finally  followed  to  the  south-western 
extremity  of  Eilean-nan-R6n,  an-t-Eilean-Iarach,  but  would 
have  still  remained  undiscovered  had  not  his  whereabouts 
been  made  known  to  his  pursuers  in  a  curious  manner.  Coll 
and  his  men  were  returning  to  Oransay  after  a  fruitless  search 
when  the  cry  of  a  gull  hovering  over  a  particular  spot 
attracted  their  attention,  and  on  reaching  the  place  they 
found  M'Phee  crouching  on  a  very  narrow  ledge  of  rock  at 
the  edge  of  the  sea.  "Fabhar,  a  Thamhais,"  pleaded  the 
fugitive.  "  Fabhar  no  fabhar,"  answered  Tamhas  Mac  'Hie 
Mhoirche,  the  person  who  first  saw  him,  "is  beag  fabhair  a 
gheibhteadh  o  t'  fheusaig  ruaidh  mu'n  am  so  'n  deV'  In 
June  1623  Coll  and  his  son  Gilleasbuig,  with  four  followers, 
were  summoned  to  Edinburgh  on  the  charge  of  murdering 
Malcolm  M'Phee  of  Colonsay,  Donald  (Og)  M'Phee,  Dugald 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  9 

M'Phee,  John  M'Quarrie,  and  Ivor  Ban  (the  Fair),  the  com- 
plainants being  Mary  M'Donald  (M'Phee's  widow),  Donald, 
a  son,  Catherine,  Annie,  and  Flora,  daughters,  besides  relatives 
of  the  other  victims. 

Although  the  history  of  the  island  is  often  veiled  in 
obscurity,  we  can  gather  from  various  sources  that  its  owner- 
ship during  the  latter  half  of  the  sixteenth  century  and 
the  early  part  of  the  seventeenth  was  a  source  of  contention 
among  the  M'Phees,  M'Donalds,  M 'Leans,  and  Campbells. 
After  the  forfeiture  of  the  Lordship  of  the  Isles  in  1493, 
the  Isles,  instead  of  following  one  leader,  were  divided 
among  a  number  of  chiefs  who  frequently  opposed  one 
another.  In  their  quarrels  over  the  ownership  of  certain 
parts  of  Islay,  M'Lean  of  Duart  and  M'Donald  of  Islay 
were  fighting  for  close  on  half  a  century,  1550-1600. 
Local  traditions  of  raids  and  clan  fights  are  often  associated 
with  this  period. 

The  battle  of  Traigh  Ghruineart  in  the  north  of  Islay, 
in  1598,  brought  the  long  tribal  warfare  between  the  M 'Leans 
and  M'Donalds  to  a  close.  Before  the  fight  began,  Dubh- 
sith  Beag,  a  native  of  Jura,  asked  Lachlan  Mor,  chief  of  the 
M'Leans,  for  "a  day's  work."  Owing  to  his  diminutive  size, 
M'Lean  refused  to  take  him  into  his  ranks.  Nothing  daunted, 
Dubh-sith  went  to  the  opposite  party.  M'Donald  gave  him 
"a  man's  place."  "I  will  see  to  Lachlan  Mor;  you  dispose 
of  the  rest,"  exclaimed  the  dwarf,  who  forthwith  betook 
himself  to  the  shelter  of  some  neighbouring  scrub.  In  the 
heat  of  the  fight,  Lachlan  Mor  bent  down  to  arrange  his 
armour.  Dubh-sith,  who  was  an  expert  bowman,  seeing  part 
of  M'Lean's  person  unprotected  by  his  coat  of  mail  while  he 
was  in  this  position,  shot  him  with  an  arrow.  Besides  their 
chief,  nearly  300  of  the  M'Leans  fell  on  that  day.  The 
M'Donalds'  loss  was  not  so  great,  but  their  chief,  Sir  James 
M'Donald,  Lachlan  Mor's  nephew,  was  wounded. 

The  person  whose  doings  during  this  stormy  period  most 


10  COLONSAY 

vividly  impressed  the  imagination  of  succeeding  generations 
of  islanders  was  Colla  Ciotach  (Mac  Gilleasbuig)  M'Donald. 
Although  we  do  not  know  the  date  of  his  arrival  in  Colonsay, 
he  was  long  connected  with  the  island.  According  to  local 
tradition,  he  came  from  Ireland.  The  date  of  his  birth  was 
about  1570.  His  grandfather,  Coll,  was  brother  to  James 
M 'Donald  of  Dun  Naomhaig,  and  of  the  Glens  in  Ireland, 
the  first  Earl  of  Antrim  being  a  cousin.  It  is  said  that 
Coll  was  twice  married,  and  local  tradition  hands  down  an 
incident  in  connection  with  the  burial  of  one  of  his  wives. 
M'Donald  of  Keppoch  had  been  married  to  a  woman  much 
younger  than  himself.  For  a  slighting  retort  which  she 
made  when  he  was  in  a  playful  mood,  "  Se  sin  miolaran  an 
t-seana  choin  ris  a  chuilein,"  he  sent  her  away,  and  she  after- 
wards lived  with  Coll  in  Colonsay  as  his  wife.  M'Donald, 
later  on,  found  his  way  to  the  island.  Coll,  on  hearing  of  his 
arrival,  went  to  apprise  his  wife,  who  had  been  but  recently 
confined.  Wishing  to  find  out  if  she  still  had  any  regard 
for  her  former  husband,  he  told  her  that  M'Donald  had  been 
drowned  off  the  Point  of  Ardnamurchan.  On  hearing  this, 
she  turned  away  her  face  and  expired.  A  dispute  subse- 
quently arose  between  Coll  and  Keppoch  as  to  where  the 
body  should  be  taken  for  burial,  Kilchattan  or  Oransay; 
and  to  settle  the  matter  they  resorted  to  a  duel  of  spears 
at  the  western  entrance  of  the  mansion-house,  afterwards 
known  as  Bealach  an  t-Sleagh  (Gateway  of  the  Spear). 

Two  of  Coll  Ciotach's  sons,  Alastair  and  Angus,  are  referred 
to  in  local  tradition ;  but  not  the  third,  Gilleasbuig.  Alastair, 
Montrose's  celebrated  general,  was  born  in  the  Abbey  barn 
(Sabhall  Ban),  Kiloran,  used  as  the  family  residence  after  the 
old  Abbey  had  fallen  into  a  dilapidated  condition.  It  was 
an  indication  of  the  warlike  career  before  him,  that  the 
swords  jumped  out  of  their  scabbards  and  the  muskets  fired 
of  their  own  accord  on  the  night  of  his  birth.  His  nurse, 
who  possessed  second  sight,  predicted  that  the  child  would 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  11 

become  a  great  warrior,  valiant  and  famous,  and  that  victory 
would  be  his  until  the  day  that  he  planted  his  banner  upon 
Gocaru-go.  As  possessing  the  mightiest  arm  in  Ireland 
"a  dh'  aindeoin  c6  theireadh  e,"  he,  in  1644,  was  chosen 
leader  of  the  Earl  of  Antrim's  troops  in  support  of  Charles  I. 
Alastair's  successes  with  Montrose  are  a  matter  of  history. 
One  fine  summer  morning,  while  on  the  march  through 
Argyll's  country  to  chastise  the  Campbells,  he  halted  for 
the  morning  meal.  He  asked  the  name  of  the  green  knoll 
over  which  his  banner  had  been  raised.  "  Gocam-g6  "  was 
the  reply.  Alastair  remembered  his  nurse's  warning,  and  the 
heart  of  the  warrior  who  never  yet  turned  his  face  from  the 
foe  (nor  even  scrupled  to  cut  the  head  off  an  old  friend  if  he 
happened  to  oppose  his  party)  now  became  that  of  a  child. 
After  planting  garrisons  in  Dunaverty  and  Dun  Naomhaig, 
Alastair  crossed  over  to  Ireland,  where  soon  afterwards  he 
fell  in  battle. 

Coll  Ciotach  took  a  leading  part  with  Sir  James  M'Donald 
against  the  Campbells  in  1615.  He  afterwards  returned, 
unmolested,  to  Colonsay.  "While  M'Phee  occupied  his 
stronghold  of  Dun  Eibhinn,  Coll  resided  in  Kiloran.  A 
feud  for  supremacy  was  carried  on  between  these  two  hardy 
chiefs  for  the  next  six  or  seven  years,  until  the  murder  of 
M'Phee.  For  many  years  after  this  event,  Coll,  with  his 
family,  lived  on  the  island,  and  there  is  nothing  in  tradition 
to  show  that  he  was  disliked  by  the  people.  The  Campbells 
came  down  in  force  in  1639,  and  carried  off  everything  that 
they  could  lay  hands  upon.  From  this  date  Coil's  connection 
with  the  island  became  severed.  He,  along  with  his  sons 
Gilleasbuig  and  Angus,  is  said  to  have  supported  Alastair  at 
Inverlochy.  He  was  afterwards  treacherously  entrapped  by 
General  Leslie  outside  the  castle  of  Dun  Naomhaig,  and  con- 
fined in  Dunstaffnage.  The  old  man  was  hung  from  his 
own  galley  mast  over  a  rocky  gully  behind  the  castle. 

After  Coll  Ciotach  had  been  cleared  out  in  1639,  Colonsay 


12  COLONSAY 

apparently  became  a  possession  of  the  Campbells.  In  1700 
the  island  was  sold  by  the  Earl  of  Argyll  to  Donald  M'Neill, 
the  latter's  estate  of  Crerar  in  South  Knapdale  being  part  of 
the  purchase  price.  For  the  next  200  years  Colonsay  and 
Oransay  remained  in  the  possession  of  the  M'Neills,  many 
of  whom,  during  that  period,  attained  to  distinction  both  in 
military  and  civil  life.  At  the  death  of  Major-General  Sir 
John  M'Neill,  V.C.,  K.C.M.G.,  in  1904,  the  estate  passed, 
by  purchase,  into  the  hands  of  the  present  proprietor,  Lord 
Strathcona  and  Mount  Royal,  G.C.M.G.,  High  Commissioner 
for  Canada. 

Most  of  the  M'Neills  now  in  Colonsay  are  descended  from 
a  person  who,  at  an  early  date,  migrated  from  the  island  of 
Barra.  He,  with  his  family  and  chattels,  crossed  the  sea  in 
an  open  boat.  During  the  voyage  his  wife  gave  birth  to  a 
child,  and  to  protect  the  mother  and  infant  from  the  weather 
M'Neill  slaughtered  a  cow  and  placed  them  in  the  warm 
carcase.  The  woman,  a  M'Phee,  subsequently  nursed  one 
of  the  M'Phees  of  Colonsay,  and  by  the  turn  of  events  we 
may  assume  that  this  was  primarily  the  object  of  the  migra- 
tion. The  child  that  was  born  in  the  boat  was  afterwards 
known  as  Iain  a'  Chuain  (John  of  the  Ocean),  a  designation 
that  continued  to  be  applied  to  succeeding  generations  of  his 
descendants.  M'Phee  gave  M'Neill  a  house  at  Baile  Mhaide, 
some  distance  from  the  family  residence.  When  M'Phee's 
cock  happened  to  crow  it  was  answered,  after  the  manner  of 
cocks,  by  M'Neill's.  This  assumption  of  independence,  even 
by  a  fowl,  so  near  her  dwelling  annoyed  M'Phee's  wife. 
To  save  further  friction,  the  laird  offered  M'Neill  his  choice 
of  any  other  place  in  the  island  as  a  site  for  a  new  habitation. 
M'Neill  selected  the  place  now  known  as  Aird-an-Duin,  in 
Machrins,  and  there  built  his  house,  which  continued  to  be 
occupied  by  many  generations  of  his  descendants.  The 
badge  of  the  M'Neills,  white  dryas  (Machall  Monaidh),  does 
not  grow  in  Colonsay,  but  it  is  found  in  some  of  the  more 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  13 

mountainous  northern  islands.  The  local  badge  is  Channelled 
Wrack  (Feamainn  Chireagach). 

Although  the  monastery  at  Oransay  is  believed  to  have 
been  founded  originally  by  St  Columba,  the  present  build- 
ings date  from  a  much  later  period.  St  Columba's  buildings 
were  of  clay  and  wattle,  but  even  had  they  been  constructed 
of  more  lasting  material,  it  is  certain  that  they  would  have 
been  destroyed  in  the  ninth  and  tenth  centuries  by  the 
Vikings  and  the  Danes.  These  hardy  sea-rovers  made 
their  first  descent  on  lona  in  795,  and  for  the  next  200 
years  our  shores  were  subject  to  their  invasions,  often 
sudden  and  disastrous.  The  good  John  of  Isla,  Lord  of  the 
Isles,  is  credited  with  the  foundation,  about  1350,  of  the 
present  priory  at  Oransay.  It  belonged  to  the  Augustine 
order,  and  canons  were  brought  from  Holyrood. 

While  the  Lords  of  the  Isles  were  in  power,  Oransay,  it 
may  be  assumed,  was  the  centre  of  a  nourishing  community. 
Foundations  have  been  traced  which  extended  over  a  much 
larger  area  than  the  buildings  now  occupy.  Along  both 
sides  of  the  road  leading  from  the  priory  to  the  strand  the 
ruins  of  a  number  of  circular  enclosures,  each  about  18  feet 
in  diameter,  are  to  be  seen.  Others  were  probably  cleared 
away  when  the  road  was  made.  Those  still  existing  are 
situated  well  within  view  of  the  church,  and  it  is  supposed 
that  these  structures  had  been  used  for  stacking  the  seed- 
grain  of  persons  living  in  Colonsay,  who  carried  it  across 
the  strand  for  the  blessing  of  the  Church,  and  also  for  the 
more  practical  reason  of  having  it  preserved  until  seedtime 
from  the  depredations  of  freebooters.  Oransay  having  the 
right  of  sanctuary  was,  so  far,  free  from  such  visits. 

A  number  of  sculptured  stones,  some  exhibiting  very  fine 
workmanship,  are  now  arranged  along  one  side  of  the  chapel 
at  Oransay.  Formerly  they  lay  on  the  floor,  over  the  graves 
of  persons  of  note,  but  for  preservation  they  were  removed 
to  their  present  positions.  One  of  the  stones,  on  which  is 


14  COLONSAY 

carved  in  relief  the  figure  of  a  knight  in  armour,  is  supposed 
to  have  been  to  the  memory  of  Sir  Alexander  M'Donald  of 
Loch  Alsh,  who  was  murdered  in  the  prior's  house  in  1498  by 
M'lan  of  Ardnamurchan.  The  cloisters,  which  were  described 
by  Pennant,  have  been  partially  restored.  Of  the  many 
crosses  which  once  adorned  the  precincts  of  the  priory,  one 
fine  specimen  is  still  standing.  Hewn  from  a  single  stone, 
it  is  fully  1 2  feet  in  height,  and  elaborately  carved.  It  is 
believed  to  have  been  erected  to  the  memory  of  Colin,  a 
prior  who  died  in  1510.  Another  cross  (M'Duffie's  Cross) 
had  been  fixed  in  a  cairn  of  stones  on  the  way  to  the  landing- 
place.  It  is  said  that  the  bodies  of  the  heads  of  the  M'Duffie 
family  were  rested  for  some  moments  on  this  cross  as  they  were 
taken  to  the  chapel  for  burial. 

The  lodhlann-mhor  (large  corn-yard)  is  a  green,  flat-topped 
mound  to  the  south  of  the  priory.  From  excavations  made, 
it  is  believed  that  this  was  a  circular  enclosure  formerly 
used  for  stacking  grain,  and  that  the  shifting  sand  gradually 
filled  it  up  and  gave  it  its  present  striking  outline.  In  the 
course  of  excavations  carried  on  in  various  parts  of  Oransay, 
finds  of  antiquarian  interest  were  obtained.  Various 
ornamental  articles — bronze  brooches  and  ring,  beads,  etc. 
— were  found  in  a  grave  at  Carnan-a-Bharraich  (Barra-man's 
Cairn).  The  remains  of  animals,  shellfish,  etc.,  found  in 
an  ancient  kitchen-midden  at  Caisteal-nan-Gillean,  and 
enumerated  by  Mr  Symington  Grieve  in  his  treatise  on  the 
Great  Auk  (pp.  54,  55),  indicate  what  the  bill  of  fare  of  our 
ancestors  at  different  periods  consisted  of.  Bones  of  the  Eed 
Deer  (Fiadh),  Wild  Boar  (Fiadh  Thorc ;  Cullach),  Marten 
(Taghan),  Eat,  Seal,  and  Otter1  (Beist-Dubh;  Dobhran), 

1  The  Otter,  at  one  time  common,  but  absent  from  the  island  for 
close  on  half  a  century,  has  recently  been  seen  in  the  vicinity  of  its 
old  haunts  at  Port-na-Cuilce.  Places  in  various  parts  of  the  island 
— Rubha-an-Dobhrain,  Glaic  an  Taghain,  Dunan-a-Chullaich,  etc. — 
are  named  after  animals  some  of  which  have  become  extinct. 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  15 

and  those  of  various  kinds  of  birds  (including  the  Great  Auk, 
an  extinct  species)  and  fishes,  Avere  identified.  The  Kabbit, 
though  now  plentiful  in  the  island,  is  not  indigenous, 
and  is  consequently  not  included  as  such  in  Mr  Grieve's 
list.  It  is  said  that  rabbits  were  first  introduced  from 
Barra  in  the  eighteenth  century,  and  that  holes  were  dug 
for  them  in  the  sand-hills  at  Baile-Mhaide.  The  shellfish 
mentioned  by  Mr  Grieve  include  the  Oyster.  Limpet- 
hammers,  barbed  bone  spear-heads,  lap-stones,  and  other 
articles  were  also  found  during  excavations.  Other  shell 
deposits  are  to  be  seen  at  Cnoc  Sligeach,  Cnoc  Riabhach, 
etc.  Two  places  of  interest  not  previously  referred  to  in 
connection  with  Oransay  are  Cill-a-Mhoire,  the  site  of  an 
old  chapel,  and  Dun  Domhnuill,  a  conspicuously  situated 
hill-fort  with  the  ruins  of  rather  extensive  fortifications 
on  the  top. 

Surrounding  Oransay  are  a  number  of  smaller  islets  and 
exposed  reefs,  congenial  homes  of  the  Cormorant  (Sgarbh), 
the  Eider  Duck  (Lacha  Mhor),  and  many  other  sea-birds. 
In  the  winter  time  the  scene  is  enlivened  by  the  arrival  of 
flocks  of  the  Barnacle  Goose  (Cathan),  Grey  Lag  Goose 
(Geadh  Glas),  Pintail  Duck  (Piobaire),  and  other  visitors 
which  are  driven  south  from  Northern  Europe  by  the  severity 
of  winter.  Seals  of  two  kinds  are  numerous  ;  the  large  Grey 
Seal  (Tabeist)  preferring  the  solitude  of  the  outer  reefs, 
while  the  Common  Seal  (Ron)  is  more  frequently  seen  in  the 
bays  and  channels  nearer  shore.  Lying  high  and  dry, 
beyond  the  reach  of  the  tide,  the  young  of  the  Grey 
Seal  are  to  be  seen  on  the  rocky  islets  in  late  autumn. 
They  are  generally  creamy  white  in  colour,  solitary,  and 
lying  motionless  on  the  rocks,  but  showing  signs  of 
anger  when  approached.  Helpless  little  creatures,  too  fat 
and  buoyant  for  diving,  they  put  their  heads,  in  fancied 
security,  under  the  water  in  times  of  danger.  While 
they  are  still  young  their  mothers  are  said  to  shift  their 


16  COLONSAY 

position   at   every  spring  tide.     The  Common  Seal  has  its 
young  in  spring  and  early  summer. 

Approached  by  steamer  from  the  east  it  has  been  said  that 
"Colonsay  has  a  barren,  uninviting  appearance,  the  shores 
being  rocky  and  often  precipitous,  and  the  prospect  inland 
being  closed  by  bare,  rugged  hills.  But  the  interior  is 
extremely  fertile,  showing  wide  stretches  of  pasture-land 
and  good  agricultural  farms." l  The  harbour  is  in  the  eastern 
outlet  of  the  more  southern  and  lesser  of  two  valleys 
containing  the  bulk  of  the  arable  land,  which  cross  the  island 
from  side  to  side.  In  a  prominent  position  on  Cnoc-ua- 
Faire,  overlooking  the  harbour,  stands  a  granite  obelisk 
erected  by  the  inhabitants  to  the  memory  of  Lord  Colonsay, 
a  former  proprietor  of  the  island  and  a  well-known  lawyer 
of  the  Victorian  era.  He  was  Lord  Justice  General  of 
Scotland  from  1851  to  1873,  when  he  was  created  Baron 
and  made  first  Lord  of  Appeal  from  Scotland.  Westward 
from  the  harbour  lie  the  farms  of  Scalasaig  and  Machrins  ; 
the  latter  extending  to  the  western  shore,  and  including 
within  its  borders  a  well-situated  golf-course.  The  mansion- 
house,  policies,  and  home-farm,  and  the  crofting  district 
of  Kilchattan  occupy  the  greater  portion  of  the  northern 
valley.  In  depressions  among  the  hills  in  the  north- 
east and  south  of  the  island  are  other  farms  and  crofting 
townships. 

A  survey  from  a  few  points  of  vantage  will  discover  that 
the  two  valleys  just  referred  to  are  closed  in  by  three  main 
tracts  of  hills  :  one  in  the  north,  one  in  the  centre,  and  another 
in  the  south.  The  arable  land  is  thus  sheltered  from  cold 
northerly  winds,  an  important  consideration  from  an  agri- 

1  "  Notes  on  the  Geology  of  Colonsay  and  Oronsay,"  by  James  Geikie, 
LL.D.,  F.R.S.,  F.R.S.E.,  etc.,  of  H.M.  Geological  Survey  (Trans- 
actions of  the  Geological  Society  of  Glasgow,  vol.  vi.  partii.,  1878-79, 
1879-80). 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  17 

cultural  point  of  view.  The  hills  decrease  in  elevation  from 
north  to  south.  They  usually  present  their  escarpments  or 
steep  faces  to  the  north,  falling  with  a  gentler  depression  in 
the  opposite  direction.  This  formation  is  best  seen  north  of 
Kilchattan  and  Kiloran,  where  the  hills  rise  in  perpendicular 
precipices  from  the  sea,  and  gradually,  though  somewhat 
irregularly,  slope  southwards  to  Loch  Fada.  They  rise  again 
more  or  less  abruptly  from  Loch  Fada,  falling  with  an 
easier  gradient  in  the  direction  of  Scalasaig  and  Machrins. 
These  alternating  ridges  and  valleys  which  cross  the  island 
from  side  to  side  are,  to  the  popular  mind,  suggestive  of  a 
series  of  violent  subterranean  upheavals  rather  than  the 
slower  work  of  denudation. 

Concurrently  with  an  irregularity  that  appears  in  the  rock 
structure  in  the  north-east  of  the  island,  a  series  of  ridges 
from  Carnan  Eoin  to  Beinn-na-Fitheach  runs  north  and 
south  at  right  angles  to  the  main  tracts  of  hills,  effectively 
closing  in  the  eastern  gap  of  the  main  valley  and  sheltering 
Kiloran  from  withering  easterly  winds.  Owing  to  the 
general  conformation  of  the  hills,  cattle — for  the  rearing  of 
which  the  island  has  long  been  famous — are  able  to  find 
shelter  from  every  wind  that  blows. 

The  largest  sheets  of  fresh  water  are  Lochs  Fada  and 
Sgoltaire  ;  the  former  situated  near  the  centre  of  the  island, 
and  the  latter  in  the  northern  end.  Marshy  and  reed-over- 
grown areas  along  their  margins  provide  seclusion  for 
water-fowl  such  as  the  Mallard  or  Wild  Duck  (Lacha 
Riabhach),  Coot  (Bolachdan),  and  Teal  (Crann  Lach).  Winter 
visitors  include  the  Widgeon  (Lochlannach)  and  very 
occasional  flocks  of  the  Wild  Swan  (Eala  Fhiadhaich). 
Numbers  of  Snipe  (Gudabochd),  and  less  commonly  the 
Jack  Snipe,  inhabit  the  marshes.  The  Lapwing  (Sadharcan) 
breeds  plentifully  in  the  peat-bogs  on  the  north  side  of 
Loch  Fada;  and  the  Meadow  Pipit  or  Titlark  (Reabhag), 
in  whose  nest  the  egg  of  the  Cuckoo  (Cuthag)  has  been 

2 


18  COLONSAY 

found,  the  Skylark  (Uiseag),  and  the  Land  Rail  or  Corn 
Crake  (Tarritrean)  in  the  adjacent  meadows.  The  idea 
that  the  Corn  Crake  passes  the  coldest  of  the  months  in 
holes  in  dry  banks  still  survives.  In  winter  the  whistle 
of  the  Golden  Plover  (Feadag)  is  heard  in  the  surrounding 
fields  and  commons. 

On  the  north-western  side  of  the  island  the  hills  overhang 
the  sea  for  some  3  miles,  from  Kiloran  Bay  to  the  Inbhear 
in  Kilchattan,  in  rugged,  precipitous  cliffs,  rising  here  and 
there  in  terraces,  one  above  another,  and  interrupted  at 
intervals  by  chaotic  accumulations  of  broken  rocks,  and  by 
deep  and  gloomy  aoineadh's  and  slochd's.  Most  of  this  coast 
is  rock-bound,  and  inaccessible  from  the  sea  to  all  except  the 
daring  and  skilful  lobster-fisher,  who,  to  be  successful  in  the 
pursuit  of  his  precarious  calling,  must  know  every  treacherous 
reef  and  every  creek  along  the  dangerous  shore.  North- 
west of  Kiloran  Bay  there  are  good  examples  of  raised 
beaches,  platform-like  in  formation,  and  now  forming  the 
arable  land  of  the  little  crofts  of  Port-an-Tigh-mh6ir. 
Judging  from  the  antiquarian  remains,  this  now  secluded 
part  of  the  island  had,  in  former  times,  been  a  settlement 
of  some  importance.  Ruins  of  fortifications  and  buildings 
curiously  circular  in  outline  are  to  be  seen  on  the  headland 
of  Cailleach  Uragaig  and  at  Dun  Tealtaig.  Cill-a-Rubha 
is  the  site  of  an  old  church  and  graveyard.  A  corn-mill 
or  muileann-dubh,  driven  by  the  overflow  water  from 
Loch  Sgoltaire,  is  said  to  have  been  at  one  time  situated 
below  Bealach-a-Mhuilinn.  The  only  indication  now  re- 
maining of  the  existence  of  this  structure  is  a  fragment  of 
a  small  millstone. 

Westward,  past  Aoineadh-nam-Ba  and  the  high  precipice 
of  Geodha-gorm,  is  Aoineadh-nam-Muc,  said  in  former  times 
to  have  been  assigned  by  crofters  as  summer  quarters  for 
their  pigs  to  prevent  them  from  roaming  at  large  and  damag- 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  19 

ing  the  crops.  Lamaluin  (Lambs'  Holm),  with  its  beautifully 
green  verdured  headland,  its  shingly  beaches,  and  Piper's 
Cave,  is  a  little  farther  on.  Dreis-nic-Ceothain  is  named 
after  a  young  woman  who  had  the  hardihood  to  walk  across 
that  dangerous  ledge.  In  the  cliffs  around  Aoineadh-nam- 
Muc,  Lamalum,  and  other  parts,  great  numbers  of  sea- 
fowl — Gulls  of  various  kinds  (Sgaireag  =  Kittiwake?,  mostly) 
Cormorants,  Guillemots  (Eun  Dubh  a  Sgadain),  Razor- 
bills, etc. — lay  their  eggs  on  the  ledges.  When  they  are 
disturbed  from  their  nests  the  shrill  cries  from  thousands 
of  throats,  the  howling  of  the  wind  over  the  edges  of 
the  cliffs,  and  the  dashing  of  the  waves  beneath,  create 
a  discordance  not  readily  forgotten.  Binnean  Eiabhach, 
the  highest  sheer  cliff  (about  350  feet)  in  the  island,  is 
annually  taken  possession  of  by  the  Peregrine  (Seobhag) 
for  rearing  its  young ;  and  as  each  spring  comes  round  a 
pair  of  Eavens  (Fitheach),  in  choosing  a  site  for  their 
nest,  make  a  leisurely  survey  of  the  most  inaccessible  spots 
in  the  neighbourhood. 

The  sombre  aspect  of  these  northerly  exposed  and  usually 
sunless  cliffs  is  relieved  from  early  summer  onwards  by  an 
abundance  of  wild-flowers  and  ferns,  which  find  root-space 
in  the  many  interstices  and  on  ledges  in  these  broken  and 
fast  disintegrating  rocks.  Colonies  of  yellow-flowered  Rose- 
root,  glaucous  green-foliaged  Campion,  rosy-coloured  Thrift, 
daisy-like  Matricary,  together  with  the  greenery  of  the  Sea 
Spleenwort  and  many  other  plants  and  ferns,  make  a  com- 
bination of  pleasing  colours  that  favourably  contrasts  with 
their  rugged  surroundings.  Here  also  the  Scottish  Lovage 
and  the  rarer  Spergularia  rupestris  are  safe  from  the  maraud- 
ing hands  of  the  collector.  Many  other  plants  not  usually 
characterised  as  sea-rock  plants,  and  apparently  happy  in 
their  novel  surroundings  on  ledges  and  in  crevices,  lend  a 
charm  to  the  scene  with  their  flowers  of  various  hues. 
Among  those  noted  were  Bird's- foot  Trefoil,  Blue  Scabious, 


20  COLONSAY 

Honeysuckle,  Stonecrop,  Bramble,  Lady  Fern,  Soft  Meadow, 
Cock's-foot,  and  other  grasses. 

Kiloran  Bay,  with  its  much-admired  stretch  of  yellow 
sand  about  a  mile  in  width,  is  formed  by  a  deep  indenta- 
tion in  the  northern  coast-line.  This  neighbourhood,  apart 
from  its  own  peculiar  attractions,  is  interesting  botanically. 
A  bed  of  sandy  limestone,  which,  judging  by  the  ruins  of 
an  old  kiln  near  Craobh-na-Sgeachag,  had  at  one  time 
been  burned  by  the  inhabitants  for  making  lime,  accounts 
for  the  presence  of  certain  calcicole  or  lime-loving  plants. 
Hartstongue  Fern  is  common  in  the  gullies  below  Uragaig. 
Plants  more  or  less  confined  to  the  neighbourhood  are  the 
curious  little  Moonwort  Fern,  Knotted  Figwort,  Sea  Holly, 
and  the  Red  Broomrape,  which  is  parasitic  on  the  roots  of 
the  Wild  Thyme. 

Natural  sea-caves,  haunts  of  the  Rock  Dove  (Caiman 
Creige)  and  other  birds,  penetrate  into  the  rocks  on  both 
sides  of  Kiloran  Bay  for  considerable  distances.  A  number 
of  fugitives  are  said  to  have  been  formerly  suffocated  by 
their  enemies  in  the  New  Cave  below  Uragaig.  Heaps  of 
broken  rocks  and  debris  partly  block  the  mouth  of  the  cave. 
Inside  there  are  a  well  and  a  smooth  stone :  the  stone  is 
said  to  have  been  used  in  former  times  by  frequenters  for 
sharpening  their  swords. 

Slochd-dubh-Mhic-a-Phi  is  a  natural  tunnel  in  the  rocks 
north  of  the  New  Cave,  and  the  following  traditional  story  in 
connection  with  it  has  been  handed  down  for  generations. 
A  clansman  of  the  Laird  of  Lochbuie  who  visited  Colonsay 
was  gleaning  after  the  reapers  in  the  Glen  of  Ardskenish  ; 
and  Macphee,  the  chief  of  the  island,  who  was  under  a  geas 
or  taboo  not  to  let  pass  a  sword-stroke,  coming  round  to  see 
the  shearers,  when  passing  the  Mull  man  cut  off  his  hand. 
On  finding  this  out,  the  M 'Leans  came  over  to  avenge  the 
deed.  When  he  heard  of  their  arrival,  Macphee,  accom- 
panied by  his  servant  and  his  famous  black  dog,  left  his 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  21 

residence  at  Kiloran  and  escaped  to  the  hills.  As  they  were 
retiring  over  Beinn-a-Sgoltaire  they  heard  the  wails  of 
Macphee's  wife — herself  a  daughter  of  Lochbuie — who  was 
being  maltreated  by  the  M'Leans  because  she  would  not  tell 
them  where  her  husband  was  hiding.  Macphee  exclaimed  to 
his  servant :  "  Good  were  your  promises  to  her  the  day  she 
gave  you  these  trews,"  pointing  to  those  that  his  servant 
had  on,  "that  you  would  see  no  harm  come  to  her." 
"  Unlucky  is  the  time  that  you  remind  me  of  it,"  answered 
his  henchman ;  "  if  I  and  the  black  dog  were  with  you  we 
would  defy  them;  but  I  will  now  return,  and  I  shall  be 
slain,  and  you  shall  be  caught  also."  Macphee,  retiring  to 
the  cave  in  question,  which  is  open  at  both  ends,  set  his 
black  dog  at  the  one  end  while  he  took  his  stand  at  the 
other,  and  both  so  well  defended  their  respective  posts  that 
it  was  only  by  opening  a  hole  through  the  roof  that  the 
M'Leans  were  able  to  get  at  them.  This  cave  ever  since 
has  been  called  Slochd-dubh-Mhic-a-Phi. 

Bogha-Mhic-a-Bhastair — a  rocky  islet,  almost  submerged 
at  high  tide,  on  the  western  side  of  Kiloran  Bay — is  said 
to  have  been  named  after  one  of  Macphee's  servants,  who 
landed  on  it  to  abstract  an  arrow  with  which  he  had  been 
pierced  by  his  enemies  while  endeavouring  to  escape  from 
them  by  swimming  across  the  bay.  He  pulled  the  arrow 
out  of  his  body,  and  swam  over  to  Port  Easdail;  thence 
walked  to  Port  Olmsa,  where  he  got  a  boat  with  which  he 
crossed  the  channel  to  Jura,  and  so  escaped. 

Place-names l  and  fragments  of  legendary  lore  would  in- 
dicate that  in  former  times  raiding  parties,  who,  judging  by 
the  sequel  in  some  cases,  did  not  always  fare  well  at  the 
hands  of  the  inhabitants,  sometimes  landed  at  Kiloran  Bay. 

1  It  has  been  asserted  that  the  places  in  Balanahard  had  formerly 
been  so  well  named  in  detail  that  the  people  without  difficulty  could 
apportion  the  land  out  as  they  sat  on  Cnoc-a-Chreagain — "yes,  even  to 
the  breadth  of  a  '  caibe '  handle. " 


22  COLONSAY 

Lag-na-Birlinn,  a  slight  depression  on  the  west  side  of  the 
blown  sands,  derived  its  name  from  an  incident  which  ended 
with  the  burning  of  M 'Lean's  birlinn  or  barge.  The  boat 
must  have  been  dragged  through  the  dunes  for  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  before  it  was  set  fire  to.  Rusty  boat-rivets 
were  found  in  the  surface  sands  for  many  a  long  day  after. 
Baile-Mhaide,  some  distance  inland,  is  the  reputed  scene  of 
an  old-time  conflict ;  and  here  again  the  odds  seem  to  have 
gone  against  the  incomers,  for  their  chief  is  said  to  have 
preferred  voluntary  death  by  drowning  at  Rudha-Buidhe- 
Mhic-Iomhair,  on  the  east  side  of  Balanahard,  some  2  miles 
distant,  rather  than  fall  into  the  hands  of  his  bloodthirsty 
pursuers.  A  well-preserved  tomb  of  a  Viking  chief,  with  the 
skeletons  of  a  man  and  horse,  the  metal  parts  of  the  horse's 
accoutrements,  sword,  balance,  and  other  interesting  relics 
now  on  view  in  the  Royal  Scottish  Museum,  were  unearthed 
some  years  ago  at  Lag-na-Birlinn  in  the  blown  sands.  The 
weights  of  the  balance,  which  are  of  unknown  value,  are 
chased  on  one  side,  and  are  enamelled. 

Balanahard  comprises  the  north-eastern  extremity  of  the 
island.  Its  northern  shore-line  is  broken  and  precipitous. 
Off  Meall-a-Chuilbh  the  sea,  even  in  calm  weather,  is 
invariably  agitated  by  the  strong  currents  of  the  Gulf  of 
Corryvreckan  ;  steamers  here  encountering  more  violent  seas 
than  those  met  off  the  dreaded  Mull  of  Kintyre.  In  the 
cliffs  around,  the  Scottish  Lovage  and  the  Rose-root  grow  in 
profusion.  High  up  in  the  precipices  of  Slochd-a-Chroinn 
the  Scurvy  Grass  is  seen  in  great  luxuriance,  forming  dense 
green  masses.  The  Erect  Bugle,  a  plant  not  previously  re- 
corded for  this  or  neighbouring  islands,  was  discovered  on 
the  syenite  above  Slochd-a-Chroinn. 

Within  living  memory  stone  crosses,  stone  models  of  the 
human  parts,  and  other  relics  of  the  past  were  to  be  seen  at 
the  ancient  burying-ground  of  Gill  Chatriona.  At  Cnoc 
Mhic  'Ille  Mhinniche,  near  by,  the  crofters  formerly  followed 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  23 

a  superstitious  custom  of  pouring  out,  for  good  luck,  an  offer- 
ing of  new  milk  when  the  cows  were  turned  out  to  the  fold 
on  May  Day.  It  was  believed  that  if  the  practice  was 
neglected  by  anyone,  some  evil  would  befall  the  delinquent's 
best  cow.  On  one  occasion,  so  it  is  related,  an  old  woman 
who  had  accidentally  spilt  all  her  milk,  gave  an  offering  of 
whey  instead.  Appreciating  the  spirit,  the  dwellers  under- 
neath struck  up  on  the  pipes  the  tune 

Fhuair  mi  deoch  mhig  o'n  mhnaoi  laghaich 
Banarach  nam  bo,  nach  d'61  an  cobhar. 

Dun  Loisgte,  Dun  Meadhonach,  and  Dun  Crom,  are  close 
together  on  the  north  side  of  the  farm ;  Dun  Leathann 
and  Cnoc-na-Faire,1  where  the  people  in  olden  times  used  to 
watch  for  the  approach  of  their  enemies,  lying  to  the  south- 
east. The  Cowrie  Beach  and  Uinneag  lorcuil,  a  natural, 
window-like  opening  in  one  of  the  rocks,  seen  best  from  the 
sea,  are  in  the  extreme  north-east.  St  Columba's,  or  the 
Wishing  Well,  is  popularly  credited  with  certain  wish- 
fulfilling  potentialities.  Part  of  the  ceremony  is  to  leave 
a  gift  for  the  saint.  A  miscellaneous  collection  of  articles 
is  usually  to  be  seen  on  the  slabs  which  cover  the  well. 

Bird  life  is  varied  and  abundant  among  the  rugged  hills 
and  secluded  shores  of  Balanahard  and  the  east  of  the  island. 
The  Carrion  Crow  (Feannag  Dhubh),  Grey  or  Hooded  Crow 
(Feannag  Ghlas),  Buzzard  (Croman),  and  Kestrel  (Speireag 
Ghlas)  here  have  their  haunts.  Among  the  broken  rocks 
underneath  the  cliffs  the  Black  Guillemot  (Calag)  has  its 
nest,  and  Mergansers  (Sioltach)  feed  in  pairs  in  the  bays, 
building  their  nests  in  the  heather  in  rocky  places.  The 
Jackdaw  (Feannag  Bheag),  one  of  the  farmer's  pests,  and 

1  There  are  at  least  two  other  hills  (watch-hills)  bearing  the  same 
name,  one  at  Dun  Ghaillionn  and  another  at  Scalasaig.  Their  situation 
in  the  northern  end  of  the  island  indicates  the  direction  from  which 
the  approach  of  their  enemies  was  looked  for  by  the  natives. 


24  COLONSAY 

the  Starling  (Druideag)  inhabit  clefts  and  fissures  underneath 
Carnan  Eoin.  Woodcock  (Coilleach  Coille)  nest  among 
the  withered  bracken  in  the  natural  woods,  from  which  also 
issues  the  prolonged  jarring  note  of  the  Nightjar  (Cuidheal- 
Mhor).  Its  nest,  with  two  nestlings,  has  been  found  in  the 
heather.  To  dry,  stony,  and  louely  situations  the  Wheat- 
ear  (Clachran)  and  the  Stonechat  are  partial.  In  strange 
contrast  with  its  wild  surroundings,  the  little  Rock  Pipit 
appears  flitting  and  chirping  from  rock  to  rock  on  the  stormy 
shore. 

Kiloran,  with  its  pretty  policies  and  plantations  of  forest 
trees,  offers  a  pleasing  contrast  to  the  characteristic  bareness 
of  the  surrounding  landscape.  "  The  luxuriance  of  the  trees 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Colonsay  House  astonishes  the 
stranger,  who,  while  wandering  in  their  glades,  might  easily 
fancy  himself  in  some  well-wooded  part  of  the  Lowlands. 
Here  we  find  growing  vigorously  in  the  open  air,  all  the 
year  round,  several  plants  which  on  the  mainland  could  not 
survive  the  winter." l  The  garden  and  grounds,  which  were 
laid  out  in  a  naturally  well-sheltered  situation,  are  now 
further  protected  by  belts  of  forest  trees.  Plants,  flowers, 
fruit,  and  vegetables  usually  seen  in  gardens  on  the  main- 
land arrive  here  at  a  tolerable  state  of  perfection. 

The  site  of  the  present  mansion-house  adjoins  that  of  an 
old  abbey  and  churchyard.  According  to  the  Old  Statistical 
Account,  there  was  a  monastery  of  Cistercians  in  the  island, 
their  abbey  being  in  Kiloran  and  their  priory  in  Oransay. 
At  the  beginning  of  last  century  the  ruined  walls  of  the  old 
church,  which  stood  on  what  is  now  a  grassy  slope  south- 
east of  the  house,  were  removed  to  allow  of  the  extension  of 
the  pleasure-grounds  in  that  direction.  In  1695  it  is 
recorded  by  Martin  that  the  "principal  church"  stood  in 
the  village  of  Kiloran.  As  early  as  1549  Monro  writes 

1  Professor  Geikie,  in  his  Notes  on  the  Geology  of  Colonsay  and 
Oransay. 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  25 

that  the  island  "hath  ane  parish  kirke."  Oran's  Well,  with 
its  unfailing  spring  of  clear,  cool  (though  possibly  now 
contaminated)  water,  is  situated  to  the  north-east  of  the 
spot  where  the  church  stood.  The  abbey  barn  was  utilised 
for  a  time  as  mansion-house,  retaining  its  designation  of 
"An  Sabhall  Ban."  It  stood  on  the  ground  where  the 
kitchen-garden  is  now  laid  out ;  and  here,  according  to 
tradition,  Montrose's  famous  general,  Alastair  Mac  Colla 
(Alexander  MacDonald),  son  of  Colla  Ciotach  (Kolkitto),  was 
born.  Some  stones  at  the  base  of  an  old  elm  are  said  to 
have  formed  part  of  Coil's  drying-kiln. 

Among  the  ferns — Lady  Fern,  Male  Fern,  Broad  Buckler 
Fern,  and  others — luxuriating  in  the  woods  around  Kiloran, 
a  few  plants  of  the  Soft  Prickly  Shield  Fern,  a  rare 
plant  in  the  West  of  Scotland,  were  found.  Gooseberries, 
Raspberries,  Currants,  etc.,  carried  from  gardens,  principally 
by  the  Blackbird,  are  springing  up  everywhere.  Besides 
providing  conditions  suitable  for  the  growth  of  particular 
plants,  those  sheltered  woods  are  the  homes  of  numerous 
birds  that  love  a  sylvan  retreat.  In  spring  and  early 
summer  the  Song  Thrush  (Smeorach),  Mistle  Thrush  (An 
t-Eun  Glas),  Blackbird  (Lon  Dubh),  Wren  (Dre611an),  Red- 
breast  (Brudeargan),  Titmouse  (Cailleach  a'  Chinn  Duibh), 
and  Chaffinch  (Breac  an  t-Sll)  contribute  to  the  chorus  of 
song.  The  Dipper  (Gobha  Dubh  nan  Allt),  Water  Rail 
(Dre611an  Dorann),  and  Water  Hen  (Cearc  Uisge)  frequent 
the  burn  and  its  vicinity.  In  the  trees  the  Ring  Dove 
(Caiman  Coille)  often  has  its  nest;  the  Sparrow  Hawk 
(Speireag  Ruadh)  and  Owl  (Cailleach  Oidhche)  less  fre- 
quently. Sparrows  (Gealbhonn),  which  almost  completely 
disappeared,  years  ago,  from  the  island,  have  again  become 
numerous  and  destructive  to  growing  seeds — an  occupation 
that  is  being  shared  within  recent  years  by  the  Greenfinch. 
Small  colonies  of  the  Rook  (Rocais)  attempted,  unsuccess- 
fully, on  several  occasions  to  settle  in  the  trees  in  the  park. 


26  COLONSAY 

Other  birds  common  in  the  vicinity  and  other  parts  of  the 
island  are  the  Wagtail  (Bigein  an  t-Sneachd),  Hedge 
Accentor,  and  Yellow  Bunting  (Buidheag  a'  Chinn  Oir). 
Less  common  species  include  the  Bullfinch  (Buidhean  na 
Coille),  Goldcrest,  Tree  Creeper,  and  Warblers. 

Several  other  places  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Kiloran  are, 
on  account  of  the  traditions  associated  with  them,  worthy  of 
passing  notice.  Dunan-nan-Nighean  is  on  a  low,  somewhat 
isolated  hillock  to  the  south-east  of  Kiloran  Bay.  The 
entrance  to  the  structure  is  in  a  more  or  less  complete  state, 
and  still  lintelled.  The  children  of  one  of  the  chiefs  of  the 
M'Phees  are  said  all  to  have  been  born  here ;  their  mother 
removing  hither  from  the  family  seat  at  Kiloran  before  the 
advent  of  each  addition  to  the  family.  It  is  related  that  a 
number  of  daughters  were  born ;  and  there  was  a  belief  that 
if  seven  daughters  were  born  in  succession  the  seventh 
would  be  in  possession  of  the  second  sight.  Another  version 
is,  that  in  the  event  of  a  son  being  born  in  the  Dun,  he 
would  be  more  fortunate  than  any  of  his  race. 

South  of  Kiloran,  near  the  place  where  the  road  crosses 
between  the  eastern  and  middle  portions  of  Loch  Fada,  a 
fight  is  alleged  to  have  taken  place  between  natives  and 
Mull  men,  known  since  as  Blar-an-Deabhaidh.1  While  the 
battle  was  in  progress  Calum  Gaol  Mac  Mhuirich  (slender 
Malcolm  M'Vurich),  who  lay  ill  of  a  fever  in  his  house  at 
lodhlann  Chorrach  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  loch,  had  his 
servant  on  sentry  outside  keeping  him  informed  of  how  it 
fared  with  the  combatants.  At  last,  getting  excited,  he  im- 
patiently donned  his  kilt,  grasped  his  sword,  and  hurried 
across  to  join  in  the  fray.  He  killed  the  first  of  the  foe  that 
he  met ;  and  to  instil  a  young  native,  whom  he  found  hiding 

1  To  assist  in  repelling  the  invaders,  nineteen  unbearded  youths 
of  the  Bells  (Cloinn  Mhic  'Ille  Mhaoil)  alone,  descended  Bealach  na 
h-airde  from  Balanahard.  Though  at  one  time  common,  there  is  none 
now  bearing  the  name  in  the  island. 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  27 

in  a  furze  bush,  with  courage,  he  caught  some  of  the  gushing 
blood  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand  and  made  the  youth  drink 
it.  He  then  gave  him  a  sword,  and,  inspired  by  Malcolm's 
example,  the  young  man  fought  bravely  until  the  invaders 
were  vanquished.  When  the  fight  was  finished,  a  friend, 
meeting  Malcolm,  remarked,  "  I  thought  you  were  ill  with  a 
fever."  "  Oh  yes,"  he  replied  ;  "  but  I  got  relief."  Return- 
ing homewards  from  Corra  Dhunan,  Malcolm  noticed  a 
reflection  on  the  face  of  a  rock  some  distance  to  the  north 
of  the  middle  loch,  and  on  arriving  at  the  spot  found,  to 
his  surprise,  eight  of  the  foe  lying  fast  asleep.  Taking 
advantage  of  their  helpless  state,  he  killed  them  one  after 
the  other.  He  then  collected  their  swords,  which  stood 
against  a  rock  and  caused  the  reflection  which  had  first 
attracted  his  attention,  and  took  his  departure.  This  spot 
has  ever  since  been  known  as  Glaic-a-Mhoirt  (Murder 
Hollow).  Another  version  states  that  this  incident  took 
place  on  the  following  morning. 

Ruins  of  hill-forts  are  not  so  common  about  Kiloran  as 
in  other  parts  of  the  island ;  and  the  remains  of  the  few 
that  are  to  be  seen,  such  as  Dunan-a-Chullaich,  above  the 
mill,  and  Dun  Ghaillionn,  half-way  between  Kiloran  and 
Riskbuie,  are  in  positions  that  are  by  no  means  unassailable. 
Another  isolated  knoll  with  traces  of  buildings  on  it,  but 
now  bearing  no  local  name,  situated  to  the  south-west  of 
Kiloran  Bay,  near  Ceann-da-leana,  is  better  adapted  for 
purposes  of  defence.  Dunan  Easdail  is  a  small  headland  on 
the  east  side  of  Kiloran  Bay. 

Parts  of  the  walls  of  the  old  church  from  which  the  town- 
ship of  Kilchattan  has  derived  its  name  are  still  standing, 
surrounded  by  the  gravestones  of  the  burying-ground,  the 
only  one  that  is  now  used  in  the  island.  The  ruins  of  Cill- 
a-Mhoire,  another  of  the  old  chapels,  are  to  be  seen  east  of 
the  Baptist  church.  Two  standing-stones — by  some  associ- 
ated with  Druidical  times — respectively  8  and  10  feet  above 


28  COLONSAY 

the  ground,  and  noticed  by  Pennant  on  his  tour  through  the 
island  in  1769,  are  conspicuously  seen  oil  the  rising-ground 
between  Loch  Fada  and  Port  Mor.  Stone  cists  or  coffins 
have  been  discovered  in  the  cultivated  ground  near  by.  Dun 
Meadhonach,  an  isolated  knoll  to  the  south,  formed  the  site 
of  an  easily  defended  fort. 

The  neighbourhood  of  Port  Mor  is  botanically  one  of  the 
most  interesting  in  the  island.  The  Wild  Beet  growing  on 
the  sea-rocks,  Celery-leaved  Ranunculus  on  the  sandy  shore, 
Parsley  Dropwort  at  the  edge  of  the  brackish  shore  pools, 
and  the  tiny  Lesser  Duckweed  floating  on  the  surface 
of  still  waters,  are  among  the  local  rarities  not  noticed 
elsewhere.  In  the  little  gullies  of  the  rocky  northern 
shore,  amidst  accumulations  of  shelly  sand  and  decom- 
posing seaweed,  the  glossy  waving  Sea  Club-rush,  the  stout 
Foxsedge,  and  the  slender  Juncus  Gerardi  grow  in  great 
luxuriance. 

While  the  country's  trade  overseas  was  still  being  carried 
on  by  sailing  vessels,  without  lighthouses — of  which  four  are 
now  to  be  seen  from  Colonsay — to  warn  them  of  the  prox- 
imity of  dangerous  rocks,  hardly  a  winter  passed  without  one 
or  more  wrecks  taking  place  on  some  part  of  the  island. 
The  circumstances  attending  these  losses  are  yet  vividly  re- 
counted with  more  or  less  detail.  Persons  are  living  who 
witnessed  the  wreck  of  the  barque  Clydesdale  on  Eilean- 
nam-Ban  at  Port  Mor  during  a  storm  in  December  1848. 
Bound  for  Glasgow  from  Charleston  in  South  Carolina  with  a 
cargo  of  cotton,  the  ship  had  been  driven  back,  with  sails  torn, 
from  the  Mull  of  Kintyre  by  contrary  south-easterly  winds, 
which,  veering  westward,  finally  drove  her  on  to  the  rocks. 
Though  built  a  short  time  previously  on  the  Clyde,  of  the 
toughest  oak,  the  ill-fated  vessel,  under  the  pressure  of  the 
huge  seas  that  dashed  over  her,  soon  broke  in  two.  Twelve 
of  the  crew  were  rescued  in  fishing-boats  by  th6  natives,  and 
others  were  saved  by  clinging  to  the  stern  portion  of  the 


GENERAL   DESCRIPTION  29 

vessel,  but  of  the  crew  of  twenty-three  six  men  were 
drowned. 

Machrins,  to  the  casual  tourist,  is  perhaps  the  best-known 
locality  in  the  island,  for  lying  along  the  shore  between 
Maol  Chlibhe  and  Druim  Sligeach  is  that  stretch  of  undulat- 
ing machair  land  that  holds  such  a  fascination  for  the  golfer, 
Machrins  golf-links.  Here,  while  he  enjoys  his  game,  the 
player  may  view  a  combination,  on  a  small  scale,  of  sea- 
coast  scenery  of  bluff  headland  and  receding  sandy  bay  that 
is  difficult  to  beat.  Stretching  out  to  sea  and  rising  abruptly 
from  the  Atlantic,  Dun  Ghallain — named  after  Gallan,  who 
was  reputed  to  be  a  son  of  the  King  of  Lochlann — formed 
an  easily  defended  site  for  the  fort  that  once  crowned  its 
summit.  Flanked  on  either  side  by  pretty  sandy  beaches — 
Traigh  an  Tobair  Fhuair  on  the  north  and  Port  Lobh  on 
the  south — this  headland  was  well  adapted  for  defensive 
purposes. 

From  the  ruins  of  the  old  fort  at  the  top  an  extended 
view  is  obtained  of  the  rock-bound  coast  from  Kilchattan 
south  beyond  Ardskenish.  Huge  green  seas  rise  over  sunken 
rocks  far  out  from  shore,  sometimes  passing  onwards  with 
white  and  curling  crests,  sometimes  breaking  into  surging 
masses  of  snowy  foam.  Bogha  Samhach,  one  of  the  most 
treacherous  of  these  sunken  rocks,  lies  in  the  path  of  boats 
going  north  and  south ;  the  seas  giving  warning  of  its  pres- 
ence only  by  breaking  occasionally  and  at  unexpected 
moments.  In  the  cliffs  underneath  the  fort  deep,  gurgling 
caverns  are  grooved  and  worn  by  the  ceaseless  waves. 
Huge  banks  of  rolled  stones  and  gravel  of  every  grade 
of  fineness  have  been  piled  up  by  the  Atlantic  rollers 
at  Rudha  Aird-alanais  and  at  Garbh  Chladach.  Inland, 
the  golf-links  and  the  arable  land  of  Machrins  form  a 
pretty  foreground  of  undulating  sward  backed  in  the 
distance  by  rugged  and  heath-clad  hills;  farther  off,  the 
outline  of  the  misty  hills  of  surrounding  islands  is  seen. 


30  COLONSAY 

Of  the  four  ruined  chapels  observed  by  Pennant  on  his 
ride  from  Oransay  to  Kiloran,  Cill-a-Bhride,  situated  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  east  of  Machrins  farm-house,  was  doubtless 
one,  presuming  he  came  from  Oransay  by  the  Temple  of  the 
Glen,  and  on  to  Machrins  through  Bealach-an-t-Sithein. 
By  this  route  the  Temple  of  the  Glen  would  be  the  first 
to  be  reached,  Cill-a-Bhride  the  second,  Kilchattan  the 
third,  and  Kiloran  the  fourth.  Had  he  chosen  a  more 
westerly  course  he  would  have  passed  Cill-a-Choinnich 
and  Cill-a-Chiarain,  thence  going  on  to  Kilchattan  and 
Kiloran. 

A  Tigh  Searmonachaidh  ("preaching-house")  stood  at 
a  little  distance  from  the  south  end  of  Machrins  farm- 
house, and  served  as  the  parish  church  until  the  present 
one  was  built  in  1802,  the  minister's  residence  being  then 
-at  Ardskenish.  It  was  also  called  Tigh-na-Suidheachan 
from  the  fact  that  it  was  fitted  with  turf  benches.  The 
ruins  have  been  long  since  removed  to  allow  of  the  land 
in  this  part  being  cultivated.  It  was  somewhere  in  this 
vicinity,  too,  that  the  earliest-known  schools  in  the  island 
iiad  been  situated ;  and  one  of  the  old  school  door-lintels  with 
a  schoolmaster's  name  carved  on  it  was  afterwards  used  as 
.a  corner-stone  in  the  construction  of  a  barn,  now  also  falling 
into  ruins. 

Near  the  old  church  there  was  a  "branks"  (brangas) 
for  the  punishment  of  church  offenders,  who  were  usually 
pilloried  during  church  service.  It  had  been  fixed  to  a 
large  standing-stone,  a  part  of  which  yet  remains.  The  last 
person  to  be  exposed  to  public  odium  in  this  way  (according 
to  one  version)  was  a  woman ;  and  her  brother,  hearing  of 
the  occurrence,  went  out  of  church  in  indignation  and  re- 
leased his  sister.  He  then  broke  off  the  "  branks  "  and  threw 
it  into  Lochan  Moine  Nic  Coiseam,  "where  it  remains  to 
this  day." 

"LathaCath  na  Sguab  air  taobh  tuath  Dhun  Ghallain  " 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  31 

was  a  well-remembered  day  in  the  annals  of  the  locality, 
when  a  battle  was  fought  on  the  sands  of  Traigh  an  Tobair 
Fhuair  between  natives  and  Norsemen,  who,  it  is  surmised, 
were  attempting  to  land.  The  combatants  on  one  side, 
probably  the  natives,  appear  to  have  been  armed  with 
sharpened  sheaves  of  birch.  That  it  turned  out  to  be  a 
deadly  conflict  for  one  side  or  the  other,  notwithstanding  the 
primitive  weapons  in  use,  is  proved  by  the  number  of  human 
bones  which  have  been  exposed  from  time  to  time  on  the 
sands  of  the  bay.  There  is  a  belief  that  if  any  one  disturbs 
the  bones  by  digging  for  lug-worms,  the  favourite  bait  in 
flounder-fishing,  a  storm  will  arise  which  will  prevent  the 
person  from  being  able  to  use  the  bait  thus  obtained.  It  is 
a  curious  coincidence  that  the  last  time  bait  was  dug  here 
a  storm  came  on  which  half-swamped  the  boat  of  those  who 
set  the  lines. 

Of  the  old  ruins  of  Cill-a-Chiarain  on  the  north  side  of 
Port  Lobh  hardly  a  vestige  now  remains,  the  stones  having 
been  used  in  building  one  of  the  field  walls  in  the  neighbour- 
hood (garadh  na  h-airde).  Dunan-ga'-Gaoth  is  at  the  head 
of  Traigh  an  Tobair  Fhuair. 

Following  the  old  road  southwards  from  Machrins  through 
Druim  Sligeach  and  down  Bealach-na-Traghadh,  passing  the 
deep  gullies  of  Turnigil  on  the  right  and  the  grey  Carna 
Glasa  on  the  left,  we  come  in  view  of  the  bent-covered 
dunes,  the  sandy  beaches,  and  skerry-lined  shores  of 
Ardskenish.  Cut  off  from  Garvard  by  the  bay  of  Traigh- 
nam-Barc  on  the  east,  this  promontory,  projecting  for  several 
miles  into  the  Atlantic,  forms  the  south-western  extremity 
of  the  island.  Stretching  seaward  for  miles  are  reefs  and 
sunken  rocks  over  which  the  sea,  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach, 
rises  in  stormy  weather  into  foaming  masses  of  roaring 
breakers — an  impressive  sight  of  the  power  of  the  elements 
in  an  angry  mood. 

To  the  lover  of  nature  these  solitudes  provide  much  that 


32  COLONSAY 

is  of  interest.  Seals  bask  lazily  in  the  sunshine  on  the 
exposed  reefs  till  the  returning  tide  floats  them  off"  again. 
On  the  calm  waters  of  Traigh-nam-Barc  groups  of  Eiders  may 
be  seen  congregating  some  distance  from  the  shore.  As 
these  handsome  birds  often  have  their  nests  near  the  centre 
of  the  island  and  on  the  verges  of  high  precipices,  it  is 
surmised  that  they  carry  their  young,  one  by  one,  to  the 
sea  soon  after  they  are  hatched.  Standing  in  the  shallow 
waters  of  the  Glen  burn  at  the  head  of  the  bay,  among 
less  conspicuous  members  of  their  kind,  are  a  few  of  the 
Great  Black-Backed  Gull  (Dubh-Fhaoileann-Mhor).  Shel- 
drakes (Cra-gheadh),  handsomer  specimens  than  their  more 
domesticated  brothers  of  the  ornamental  pond,  anticipating 
danger,  are  shifting  uneasily  about  in  the  vicinity  of  the  sand- 
banks, in  the  rabbit-holes  in  which  they  often  have  their  nests. 
and  lay  a  considerable  number  of  eggs.  Over  mid-channel  a 
pair  of  visiting  Gannets  (Amsan)  are  going  through  swift, 
lightning-like  evolutions  as  they  dive  from  a  great  height  for 
the  fish  beneath.  Nearer  shore  the  elegant  Tern  (Steirneal) 
imitates  on  a  lesser  scale  the  performance  of  the  Solan ;  not 
diving,  however,  but  merely  picking  some  delicate  morsel  off 
the  surface  of  the  sea.  Among  the  wrack-covered  boulders  at 
the  water's  edge  a  Wild  Duck  affects  the  utmost  incapacity 
for  rational  movement,  Avhich,  as  closer  observation  discovers, 
is  only  a  device  to  draw  away  attention  from  a  sadly  reduced 
following  of  three  ducklings,  the  remnant  probably  of  a 
former  lively  brood  of  ten  or  twelve,  a  convincing  proof  of 
the  rapacity  of  the  voracious  gulls.  "  Sandpipers  "  (Loirean 
Traghadh)  move  briskly  in  search  of  insects  along  the  sands, 
and  a  pair  of  Oyster-Catchers  (Bridein)  manifest  keen 
displeasure  at  the  presence  of  the  intruder  by  a  steady 
volume  of  shrill  and  ear-piercing  cries.  Two  dark-plumaged 
specimens  of  the  Lesser  Skua  (Fasgadair)  are  flying  over 
the  promontory  in  search  of  fresh  victims.  They  chase  and 
frighten  the  sea-gulls  to  make  them  disgorge  their  half- 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  33 

digested  food,  on  which  they,  the  "Gull-Teasers,"  subsist. 
Farther  out  to  sea  the  Great  Northern  Diver  (Bunabhua- 
chaille)  disappears,  Avhen  feeding,  for  several  minutes  at  a 
time  under  the  water.  As  we  advance  on  our  way  along 
the  shore  an  occasional  Heron  (Gorra-Ghriodhach),  Curlew 
(Crotach),  and  wary  Redshank  (Coileach  Traghadh)  rise  with 
startled  cry  from  sequestered  hollows.  The  Lesser  Black- 
Backed  Gull  (Dubh-Fhaoileann),  Herring  Gull  (Faoileann 
Mhor),  Black-Headed  Gull  (Aspag1?),  Common  Gull  (Faoileann 
Bheag),  etc.,  are  wheeling,  with  measured  beat,  along  the 
shore,  while  various  kinds  of  divers  fish  in  the  outer 
channels.  Cormorants  are  particularly  abundant,  and  it 
was  formerly  believed  that  they  assumed  a  new  stage  of 
existence  at  the  termination  of  every  seven  years  : 

Seachd  bliadhna  'na  sgarbh, 

Seachd  bliadhna  'na  learg, 

Seachd  bliadhna  'na  bhal-ar-bodhan, 

Gu  sith-siorruidh  'na  bhunabhuachaille. 

Which  may  be  translated  thus  : 

Seven  years  a  sgarbh  (Shag  or  Green  Cormorant), 
Seven  years  a  learg  (young  Cormorant  ?), 
Seven  years  a  bal-ar-bodhan  (Black  Cormorant), 
For  ever  and  ever  a  bunabhuachaille  (Diver). 

The  Glen  is  a  grassy  flat  closed  in  on  the  south-east  side 
by  the  Garvard  Hills,  which  rise  abruptly  over  it  in  precipitous 
rocks.  The  soil — raised-beach  deposits — is  of  a  shelly,  sandy 
nature,  and  produces  wild  flowers  in  abundance.  A  slow- 
flowing  stream — Abhainn-a-Ghlinne — running  parallel  with 
the  base  of  the  rocks  is  the  home  of  the  Water  Ranunculus, 
the  Least  Marsh  wort,  and  other  aquatic  plants.  The  elegant 
fern- like  foliage  of  the  Meadow-rue  appears  here  and  there 
from  clefts  in  the  rocks,  and  masses  of  the  reddish-purple 
Hemp  Agrimony  and  pink-tinged  Valerian  grow  on  the 

3 


34  COLONSAY 

banks  of  the  stream.  The  delicate  white-flowered  Grass  of 
Parnassus  is  seen  in  profusion  in  moist  places.  Orchids  in 
a  variety  of  colours,  blue  Gentian,  pink  Centaury,  orange 
Stork's-bill,  and  other  free-flowering  plants  peculiar  to  such 
situations  delight  the  senses  with  richness  of  colouring  and 
sweetness  of  fragrance. 

Garvard  occupies  the  central  part  of  the  southern  end  of 
the  island.  The  outlook  among  the  islets  of  the  strand  is 
an  ever-changing  scene  :  at  low  tide,  when  the  water  recedes, 
wide  tracts  of  shell-strewn  sand  are  left  exposed ;  at  high 
tide,  a  land-encircled  islet-studded  sea,  with  the  hills  of 
Oransay  in  the  background,  lies  before  us.  Memorials 
connected  in  traditional  lore  with  interesting  events  in  days 
gone  by  are  not  rare  in  this  locality.  Situated  close  to  the 
road,  about  half  a  mile  from  the  strand,  are  the  partially 
standing  Avails  of  the  Temple  of  the  Glen,  silent  reminders 
of  old  ways  that  vanished  together  with  the  sway  of  the 
Romish  Church  at  the  advent  of  the  Reformation.  Local 
tradition  associates  the  Temple  of  the  Glen  with  a  visit  of 
King  Robert  the  Bruce  on  the  eve  of  his  return  to  the  main- 
land to  reassert  his  right  to  the  Scottish  crown  after  his 
prolonged  retreat  in  Rathlin;  and  there  is  nothing  im- 
probable in  the  supposition  that  this  vigorous  monarch 
visited  Colonsay  and  other  islands,  either  on  pilgrimage, 
or  in  the  hope  of  winning  over  their  hardy  chiefs  to  his 
patriotic  but  desperate  cause.  In  Sir  Walter  Scott's 
poetical  narrative  of  the  battle  of  Bannockburn  in  the 
Lord  of  the  Isles  Bruce  is  supported  by  a  contingent 
of  island  chiefs  under  the  leadership  of  the  Lord  of 
the  Isles,  and  among  these  the  Lord  of  Colonsay  bears  no 
inconspicuous  part : — 

Brave  Torquil  from  Dunvegan  high, 

Lord  of  the  misty  hills  of  Skye, 
Mac-Niel,  wild  Bara's  ancient  thane, 

Duart,  of  bold  Clan  Gillian's  strain, 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  35 

Fergus,  of  Canna's  castled  bay, 

Mac-Duffith,  Lord  of  Colonsay, 
Soon  as  they  saw  the  broadswords  glance 

With  ready  weapons  rose  at  ouce. 

The  shores  of  Mull  on  the  eastward  lay, 

And  Ulva  dark  and  Colonsay, 
And  all  the  group  of  islets  gay 

That  guard  famed  Staffa  round. 

Merrily,  merrily,  goes  the  bark, 

Before  the  gale  she  bounds  ; 
They  left  Loch-Tua  on  their  lee, 

And  they  waken 'd  the  men  of  the  wild  Tiree, 
And  the  Chief  of  the  sandy  Coll. 

Lochbuie's  fierce  and  warlike  Lord 
Their  signal  saw,  and  grasped  his  sword, 

And  verdant  Hay  call'd  her  host, 
And  the  clans  of  Jura's  rugged  coast, 
And  louely  Colonsay. 

Yet  still  on  Colonsay's  fierce  lord, 

Who  press'd  the  chase  with  gory  sword, 
He  (De  Argentine)  rode  with  spear  in  rest, 

And  through  his  bloody  tartans  bored, 
And  through  his  gallant  breast. 

Nail'd  to  the  earth,  the  mountaineer 
Yet  writhed  him  up  against  the  spear, 

And  swung  his  broadsword  round  ! 
Stirrup,  steel-boot,  and  cuish  gave  way, 

Beneath  that  blow's  tremendous  sway, 
The  blood  gush'd  from  the  wound  ; 

And  the  grim  Lord  of  Colonsay 
Hath  turn'd  him  on  the  ground, 

And  laugh'd  in  death-pang,  that  his  blade 
The  mortal  thrust  so  well  repaid. 

Funeral  parties  on  their  way  to  Oransay  halted  at  the 
Temple  of  the  Glen  and  there  awaited  the  ebb  of  the  tide 
before  crossing.  Half-way  across  the  strand  fragments  of 
lime-built  stone-work  show  the  foundation  of  the  sanctuary 
cross  (Crois-an-Tearmaid)  which  marked  the  boundary  of 


36  COLONSAY 

the  holy  ground  of  Oransay.  The  criminal  who  got 
here  before  he  was  overtaken  by  his  pursuers,  and  after- 
wards remained  a  year  and  a  day  in  Oransay,  was  safe. 
Three  dunans  or  small  forts — Dunan-na-Fidean,  Dunan 
lochdar-na-Garbhaird,  and  Dunan-nan-Nighean,  the  last- 
named  on  the  Ardskenish  side  beside  Port-na-Patharlinn — are 
within  view  of  one  another  on  the  southern  shore ;  a  fourth, 
Dunan-nan-Con,  being  situated  close  to  the  roadside  farther 
north.  Dun  Cholla  is  a  conspicuous  green  debris-covered 
hill  on  the  Balaromin  side,  and  was  probably  one  of  the 
larger,  though  at  the  same  time  one  of  the  less  easily 
defended,  of  the  forts.  A  church  had  been  situated  at  Cill-a- 
Choinnich,  and  a  muileann-dubh  stood  beside  the  burn  that 
has  since  borne  its  name  on  the  Balaromin  side  of  the  strand. 
Cnoc  Eibrigin,  a  conspicuous  green  knoll,  is  topped  by  a 
standing-stone  of  comparatively  modern  erection.  It  is  said 
to  have  been  the  place  where  local  questions  and  disputes 
used  to  be  settled. 

Two  farms — Balaromin-dubh  and  Balaromin-mor — lie  on 
the  eastern  side  of  the  road  that  leads  from  Scalasaig  to  the 
strand.  The  dark  heather-covered  hills  through  which  the 
road  carries  its  winding,  undulating  way  give  place,  towards 
the  shore,  to  green  slopes  and  fertile  glades  fringed  here 
and  there  between  projecting  rocky  points  with  pretty 
bays  of  white  sand.  Sycamore-trees,  forming  a  rectangular 
square  which  surrounds  the  garden  attached  to  the  residence 
at  Balaromin-dubh,  have  developed  into  fair-sized  specimens, 
notwithstanding  the  open  situation. 

Leana-na-h-Eaglais,  or  the  Plain  of  the  Church,  is  a  flat 
of  greensward  near  the  farm-house  of  Balaromin-mor,  with 
the  remains  of  an  enclosure  surrounding  the  ruins  of  an  old 
church.  A  short  distance  to  the  east  there  is  a  standing- 
stone  to  which  Donald  Ballach  is  said  to  have  been  bound 
before  he  was  shot  by  the  followers  of  Angus,  son  of  the 
famous  Coll  Ciotach.  At  that  time  Colonsay  was  in  the 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  37 

hands  of  the  Marquis  of  Argyll,  who  sent  Donald  Ballach  to 
the  island  as  his  representative.  This  individual  taxed  the 
very  shellfish  on  the  shore.  On  the  death  of  the  husband 
he  claimed  the  horse  or  the  cow  of  the  widow.  Sometime 
about  1644,  Angus,  son  of  Coll  Ciotach,  visited  the  island. 
He  met  a  widow  taking  her  only  cow  as  a  tribute  (damh- 
wsanri)  to  Donald  Ballach.  On  hearing  her  story,  Angus 
sent  her  home,  saying  that  he  would  settle  the  matter  with 
her  oppressor.  Accompanied  by  his  men,  he  went  to 
Oransay,  where  Donald  Ballach  was  staying.  The  latter 
was  at  home  on  Angus's  arrival,  and  he  offered  him  snuff. 
"  Have  you  a  feather  ?  "  (that  is,  for  the  snuff),  asked  Angus. 
"  I  have  not,"  answered  Donald  Ballach;  "  if  I  had  [that  is, 
the  power  of  flying]  I  should  not  have  been  awaiting  you 
here  this  night."  Donald  was  dragged  across  the  strand  to 
Balaromin-mor,  where  his  career  was  cut  short  by  seven 
musket-balls ;  and  word  was  sent  to  the  Marquis  that  if  he 
sent  another  man  like  Donald  Ballach  to  Colonsay  he  would 
be  treated  in  a  like  manner. 

On  a  clear  day  a  nne  view  of  the  surroundings  is  obtained 
from  the  top  of  Beinn  Eibhne,  which  rises  abruptly  from 
Poll  Gorm  to  a  height  of  321  feet.  Binnean  Crom,  a  pro- 
jecting shelf  of  rock  over  the  edge  of  a  precipice,  is  said  to 
have  been  formerly  used  as  a  gallows  for  criminals.  There 
is  a  hole  in  the  shelf  through  which  one  end  of  the  rope  was 
passed.  Ruins  of  old  buildings  are  to  be  seen  on  the  hill. 

Underneath,  on  the  rocky,  sandy  hillocks  that  fringe  the 
shores  of  Poll  Gorm,  the  Blue  (and  white)  Spring  Squill, 
the  succulent-leaved  Rockfoil,  and  the  tidy  Whitlow  Grass 
grow  in  profusion.1  Between  Loch  Colla  and  the  sea  there 
are  stretches  of  marshy  and  boggy  ground  overgrown  with 
characteristic  peat-bog  vegetation — Mud-sedge,  Horse-tail, 
Bog-cotton,  Club-rush,  Spike-rush,  Sun-dew,  Bog  Asphodel, 

1  Plants  of  salt-marsh — Glasswort,  Milkwort,  Sea  Aster,  and  others 
— are  abundant  along  the  margin  of  the  strand. 


38  COLONSAY 

and  many  others  equally  common  but  bearing  less  familiar 
names. 

Dun  Eibhinn,  situated  about  a  mile  west  of  the  harbour, 
is  one  of  the  most  impressive  of  the  many  forts  that  once 
crowned  the  summits  of  the  hills  throughout  the  island.  It 
is  circular  in  shape,  and  close  on  100  feet  in  diameter.  The 
position  was  practically  inaccessible  except  on  the  side  of 
the  entrance  to  the  fort.  The  hill,  like  a  number  more  of 
those  that  had  been  utilised  for  defensive  purposes,  is  green 
and  strewn  with  the  stones  which  had  once  formed  the 
fortifications.  The  last  of  the  M'Phees  of  Colonsay  is  said 
to  have  lived  in  the  fort.  Dunan  Leathann  is  near  Cnoc-an- 
Ardrigh,  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  road  that  leads  up  to 
Milbuie  from  Scalasaig.  The  stones  were  many  years  ago 
rolled  down  the  slopes  and  used  for  building  the  dry-stone 
dyke  on  the  east  side  of  the  road.  The  hearthstone  (leac- 
an-teinntean)  discovered  in  it  was  so  large  as  to  cause  those 
who  saw  it  to  wonder  how  it  could  have  been  carried  up  the 
hill.  A  short  distance  from  the  hotel,  in  Buaile  Riabhach, 
a  Druidical  circle  is  to  be  seen.  On  Beinn-nan-Gudairean, 
to  the  south  of  Loch  Fada,  heather  ale  used,  it  is  said, 
to  be  made.  A  large  granite  boulder,  which  was  probably 
left  there  during  the  glacier  period,  lies  near  the  top  of 
the  hill. 

About  a  mile  north  of  the  harbour,  at  Riskbuie,  on  the  east 
coast,  some  stones  mark  the  site  of  the  Caibeal — the  Chapel 
of  Riskbuie.  A  curious  carved  figure,  now  fixed  up  at 
Tobar  Oran,  was  part  of  a  stone  cross  formerly  standing  on 
the  east  side  of  the  chapel.  Another  carved  figure  that 
rtjioiced  in  the  local  sobriquet  of  Dealbh-na-leisg  (Image  of 
Sloti"K)  is  believed  to  have  been  built  into  one  of  the  adjoin- 
ing dweilling-houses. 

In  addition  to  those  noted,  other  antiquarian  remains — 
ruins,  standings  stones,  cairns,  burial-places,  knocking-stanes, 
etc. — are  to  be  se£«n  in  various  parts  of  the  island. 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  39 

Rare  and  Migrating  Birds. — Birds  rarely  seen  in  Britain 
sometimes  visit  these  islands,  or  are  driven  to  them  by 
stormy  weather.  One  of  these  rare  visitors  was  picked  up 
alive  at  the  roadside  between  Kiloran  and  Kilchattan  on 
1st  January  1897.  It  was  sent  to  Edinburgh,  and  identified 
by  Mr  W.  Eagle  Clarke,  M.B.O.U.,  keeper  of  the  Natural 
History  Department,  Royal  Scottish  Museum,  as  the  Frigate 
Petrel.  The  bird  is  now  on  view  in  the  Museum,  and  is  one 
of  the  only  two  specimens  yet  found  in  European  waters. 
The  other  one  was  washed  ashore  dead  on  Walney  Island, 
Morecambe  Bay,  in  November  1890.  Prior  to  that  date  it 
was  not  seen  north  of  the  Canary  Isles.  Common  in  the 
Southern  Hemisphere,  the  species  was  found  breeding  in 
great  numbers  on  the  islands  off  S.W.  Australia  by  Gould's 
collector,  Gilbert. 

Certain  birds,  on  the  other  hand,  that  used  to  frequent  the 
island  are  now  rarely  or  never  seen.  The  Chough  (Cnamh- 
ach)  used  to  nest  in  various  places,  but  it  has  not  been  much 
in  evidence  for  a  number  of  years.  From  Sguid  Pioghaid  we 
might  infer  that  the  Magpie  (Pioghaid)  was  once  a  native. 

Visitors  to  the  island  or  its  shores  that  have  been  casually 
noticed  include  the  Fieldfare  (Liath-Truisg),  Redwing, 
Shoveller,  Tufted  Duck,  Sand  Grouse  (seen  one  season), 
Dotterel,  Sanderling,  Turnstone,  Greenshank,  Dunlin,  and 
"American  Cuckoo." 

In  addition  to  those  already  mentioned,  the  author  has 
been  able,  with  the  kind  assistance  of  Professor  Graham 
Kerr,  of  Glasgow  University,  to  bring  together  the  local 
Gaelic  and  English  (or  Latin)  names  of  various  birds,  fishes, 
shellfish,  etc.,  which  may  be  inserted  here. 

BIRDS. 

Bal-ar-Bbdhan. — Black  Cormorant. 
Cathag. — Jackdaw.     Feannag  Idheach. 
Clachran  Coille. — Stone-chat. 


40  COLONSAY 

Cearc  Fhraoich. — Grouse. 

Cearc  Thomain. — Partridge. 

Coileach  Dubh.—Klzck  Cock ;  Black  Grouse  (male  bird). 

Coileach  Fraoich  )  M       Cock     Red  Grouge  (      ]e 

Coileach  Ruadh    ) 

Eun-a-  Ghiuirinn. — Puffin. 

Eun-a-Phiocaich. — Black  Guillemot  in  immature  plumage. 

Eun-Beag-a-Stoirm. — Stormy  Petrel. 

Eun-Mor. — Gannet ;  Solan  Goose.     Amsan. 

Faoileann  Mhor  Ghlas. — Applied  probably  to  large  species 

of  Gull  in  immature  plumage. 
Geadh  £od.— Brent  Goose. 

Gearra  Chrotach. — Whimbrel.     Oranna  Chrotach. 
lolaire. — Sea  Eagle. 

Lacha  Mhor. — Eider  Duck.  Known  in  neighbouring 
islands  as  Lacha  Ckolasach  (Colonsay  Duck). 

Learg  Uisge. — The  name  given  to  the  Black  or  Common 
Cormorant,  when  seen  in  winter  fishing  on  fresh- 
water lochs  or  streams  (see  p.  33). 

Liath  Chearc. — Grey  Hen  •  Black  Grouse  (female  bird). 

Loirean  (Gulamag). — Sandpiper. 

Loirean  Tragbadh. — Ring  Plover  and  allied  species. 

Meana'  Ghurag. — Snipe.     Also  Gudabochd,  Naosg. 

Seobhag  Bheag  Ghlas. — Merlin. 

Sgarbh. — Shag  or  Green  Cormorant. 

FISHES. 

Bacach-gearr.1 — Turbot  (?). 
Bodach  Ruadh. — Codling. 

Bradan. — Salmon.     Liathag  =  youug  Salmon  or  Grilse. 
Bradan  Leathan.1 — Halibut  (?). 
Breac. — Fresh- water  Trout. 
Breac  Donuis. — Shanny. 

1  The  author,  not  having  obtained  specimens  of  these,  is  unable  to 
identify  them  with  certainty. 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  41 

Cam-a-Reasain.1 — Hag-fish  (?).     The  Gaelic  name  is  also 

applied  to  Fish-lice. 

CarbJianach.1— Silver  Smelt  (?);  Silver  Haddock  (?). 
Carnag. — A  fish  found  at  ebb-tide. 
Carrachan. — Sea-scorpion,  one  of  the  Bullheads. 
Cloimheag. — Butter-fish. 
Cnamhairneich.1 — (?). 
Creagag. — Ball  an  Wrasse. 
Grog  Dhubh.1 — Species  of  Bullhead  (?). 
Crudan  Dearg. — Gurnard  (red). 
Crudan  Glas. — Gurnard  (grey). 
Donnag. — Rockling  (several  kinds). 
Eas/jann. — Eel. 
Easgann  Mara. — Conger. 
Fionnag. — Whiting. 
Garbhag. — Flounder. 
Gealag. — Sea-trout. 
Gibearneach.  — Cuttle-fish. 
Gobach  Odhar. — A  large  kind  of  Ray  or  Skate. 
Gobag. — Dog-fish. 
Greusaiche. — Father-lasher  (?),  a  species  of   Bullhead  or 

Gurnard. 

lasg-Mear. — Grey  Mullet. 
Langa. — Ling. 

Leabag. — Flounder.     Garbhag  (local). 
Leabag  Bhuinn. — Sole. 

Leabag  Mhor. — Diamond  Plaice.     Leabag  (local). 
Liu.— Lythe ;  Pollack. 
Mac-lamhaich. — Devil-fish ;  Octopus. 
Morair. — Haddock.     Adag. 

Murlach. — King-fish  (local) ;  Lesser  Spotted  Dog-fish. 
Nathair  Thraghadh.1 — Pipe-fish  (?) ;   sometimes  applied  to 

Rag-worm. 

1  The  author,  not  having  obtained  specimens  of  these,  is  unable  to 
identify  them  with  certainty. 


42  COLONSAY 

Ordag-a-Mhuilleir.  —  Gemmeous  Dragonet,  one  of  the 
Gobies. 

Piocach. — Saithe;  Coal-fish.  In  its  young  state  it  is 
known  as  Gudainn  (Cuddy) ;  in  the  May  following, 
Geiteanach.  Piocach  is  applied  to  it  in  the  second 
year,  and  Piocach-mbr  after.  Ucsa  is  the  mature  fish. 

Rionnach.  — Mackerel. 

Rionnach-an-Eicli. — Horse  Mackerel. 

Sgadan. — Herring. 

Sgat.—'R&j;  Skate. 

Siolag. — Launce;  Sand-eel  (local). 

Sporran  Feannaig. — Mermaid's  Purse :  the  egg  of  the 
Dog-fish  or  a  species  of  Skate. 

Suit  Oir.1— Poor  Cod  (?). 

Trosg. — Cod. 

SHELL-FISH,  ETC. 

Bairneacli. — Limpe  t. 
Breallascan. — Gaper  Shell. 
Ciochan-nam-Ban-Marbh. — Sea  Anemone. 
Claba  Dubha. — Cyprina  Islandica. 
Cluasag  Baintighearna. — (Artemis  exoleta.) 
Conachag. — Buckie  ;  Whelk. 
Conan  Mara. — Sea  Urchin. 
Cruban. — Partan ;  Edible  Crab. 
Deargann  Traghadh. — Sand-hopper  ;  Sand-flea. 
Deiseag. — Velvet  Swimming  Crab. 
Eisir. — Oyster. 

Faochag.— Periwinkle  ;  Whelk  (local). 
Feasgan. — Mussel. 
Feasgan-mor. — Horse  Mussel. 

Figheadair  Fairge. — Spider  Crab  (?)  with  long' limbs. 
7. — Cockle. 


1  The  author,  not  having  obtained  specimens  of  these,  is  unable  to 
identify  them  with  certainty. 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  4£ 

Gille-geal.— White  Whelk ;  Dog-winkle. 

Giomach.  — Lobster. 

Giomach  Dearg. — Spiny  Lobster. 

Giomach  Tuathalach.l—(1). 

Giuirinn.  — Barn  acle . 

Gorra-  Crag. — S  tar-fish. 

Lug  a. — Lug  or  Lob- worm. 

Maighdeag. — Cowrie  Shell. 

Muisgeann. — Razor-fish ;  Spout-fish. 

Parian. — Green  Shore  Crab. 

Parian  Tuathalach. — Scorpion  Spider  Crab. 

Sgeith  Rbin. — Jelly-fish. 

Slige  Cas  Capuill. — Sometimes   applied  to  the  flat  shell 

of  the  Clam. 

Slige  Chreachain. — Scallop  Shell ;  Clam. 
Sop-gun-IarraidTi. — The  spawn  of  the  Whelk  or  Buckie. 


SEAWEEDS  2 

Barr  Dearg. — Tangle  tops. 

Barr  Leathachan. — Laminaria  saccharina.     Sea-belt. 

Cailionnagach. — Plocamium  coccineum. 

Carrachdag  ;     Dubh-Shlat.  —  Laminaria    digitaia,    var. 

stenophylla. 
Duileasg. — Dulse. 
Feamainn. — Seaweed ;  Sea-ware. 

FeamainnBhuiceanach.  — Fucus  platycarpus  (F.  ceranoides). 
Feamainn  Bliuidhe. — Fucus  nodosus.     Knobbed  Seaweed. 

This  was  the  kind  formerly  used  (locally)  for  making 

kelp.     It  was  cut  every  third  year. 
Feamainn  Bhuilgeanach. — Bladder  Wrack  (Propach,  C.). 

1  The  author,  not  having  obtained  specimens  of  these,  is  unable  to 
identify  them  with  certainty. 

2  For  kind  assistance  in   the  identification   of  the  Seaweeds,   the 
writer's  thanks  are  due  to  Miss  Zamorska,  Technical  College,  Glasgow. 


44  COLONSAY 

Feamainn  Chireagach. — Channelled  Wrack. 

Feamainn  Dhubh. — Fucus  serratus.     Notched  Wrack. 

Gille-ma-Lionn. — Sea  Laces. 

Gruag-na-Maighdean-Mhara.  — Desmarestia  aculeata. 

Llobhagach. — Applied  to  Confervse  such  as  Enteromorpha 
intestinalis,  etc. 

Mathair-an-Duilisg. — Carrageen ;  Irish  Moss. 

Muraille. — Badderlocks ;  Hen  ware ;  Murlins.  The  mid- 
rib and  the  spore- producing  part  of  it  (Sgeachagan) 
are  edible. 

Muraille-mbr. — Himanthcdia  lorea  (female  plant). 

Rbmhagacli. — Himanthalia  lorea  (male  plant). 

Slabhachdan.— Sloke. 

Stafa. — Laminaria  digitata.     Tangle. 

Trailleach. — A  kind  of  seaweed  considered  to  be  of  little 
value  as  manure  for  land,  as  it  dried  up  and  took  a 
long  time  to  decay. 


CHAPTER  II 


THE  occurrence  in  the  Western  Islands  of  Scotland  of 
certain  plants  —  Rock  Samphire,  Sea-Kale,  etc. — confined 
elsewhere  in  Europe  to  countries  lying  farther  south,  points 
to  more  equable  conditions  of  climate  than  have  been 
generally  supposed  to  prevail  in  these  northern  latitudes. 
The  Rock  Samphire  was  found  in  Colonsay  in  1906,  and  two 
years  later  on  the  Mangustra  cliffs,  a  little  north  of  Eilean 
Molach,  on  the  west  coast  of  Lewis,  in  lat.  58°  5'  N.  On 
the  authority  of  Mr  Bennett,  no  station  for  this  plant,  out- 
side Britain,  is  known  in  Europe  north  of  lat.  51°.  The  Sea- 
Kale  occurs  in  Islay,  and  there  is  an  old  record  of  the  finding 
of  it  in  the  Outer  Hebrides — "  head  of  Lochmaddy,  North 
Uist,  on  sand,  1848.  D.  C.  Burlingham." 

From  the  returns  of  the  meteorological  stations  (as  they 
are  printed  in  the  Journals  of  the  Meteorological  Society), 
we  find  that  the  Western  Islands  of  Scotland  possess  a 
climate  which,  in  mildness  and  uniformity  of  temperature, 
is  quite  exceptional,  and  Avithout  a  parallel  in  the  same 
latitude.  During  the  months  of  December  and  January 
the  mean  temperature  of  those  islands  lying  south  of  Harris 
and  Skye — 41°  to  44°  F. — is  reached  or  exceeded  elsewhere 
in  Britain  only  in  the  Isle  of  Man  and  Anglesea,  and  in 
the  western  and  south-western  extremities  of  England  and 
"Wales.  The  only  places  in  Scotland  with  a  mean  tempera- 
45 


46 


COLONSAY 


ture  of  not  less  than  42°  F.  during  January  are  the  southern 
islands  of  the  Outer  Hebrides — North  Uist,  Benbecula,  South 
Uist,  and  Barra,  with  their  islets,  and  Tiree  in  the  Inner 
Hebrides.  Thus  we  find  tender  exotics,  unable  to  survive  the 
keener  winters  of  the  neighbourhood  of  London,  thriving 
in  the  Western  Islands,  much  farther  north. 

The  influences  at  work  in  modifying  the  cold  of  winter 
are  equally  well  marked  in  tempering  the  heat  of  summer. 
During  the  warmest  months — June,  July,  and  August — 
the  only  districts  in  the  kingdom  that  have  a  mean  tem- 
perature as  low  as,  or  lower  than,  that  of  the  Isles — 53°  to 
•57°  F. — are  the  seaboards  of  Argyll  and  Western  Inverness, 
a  narrow  strip  along  the  north-east  of  Scotland  to  Kinnaird 
Head,  and  the  counties  lying  north  of  the  Moray  Firth.  As 
an  agreeable  change  from  the  warmer  and  more  enervating 
regions  of  the  south,  the  cool,  bracing  climate  of  the  Islands 
is  yearly  becoming  more  appreciated  by  an  increasing  number 
of  tourists,  who  travel  westwards  during  the  warmest  of  the 
months. 

The  mildness  of  the  Hebridean  climate  is  emphasised  by 
taking  a  wider  view  of  the  subject,  and  comparing  the 
climate  of  the  country  as  a  whole  with  that  of  other 
countries  in  the  same  latitude.  The  following  table,  repro- 
duced from  Hann's  Climatology,  shows  the 

MEAN  TEMPERATURES  ALONG  LATITUDE  52°  N.  FROM 
WEST  TO  EAST 


Station. 

Longitude. 

January. 

July. 

Difference. 

Valencia,  S.W.  Ireland  . 

10"  25'  W. 

42°  "3  F. 

59°  '2  F. 

16°'9  F. 

Oxford  .         .         .        . 

1°  16'  W. 

38°'5 

610<2 

22°  7 

Posen    .... 

17°    5'E. 

27°  "I 

64°'9 

37°'8 

Kursk    .... 

36°    8'E. 

15°'l 

67°'6 

52"  -5 

Barnaul   and    Semipala- 

tinsk. 

80°30'E.   1-0°  '4 

71°'2 

71°'6 

CLIMATE  47 

Formerly  the  mildness  of  our  winters  was  generally 
attributed  to  the  influence  of  the  Gulf  Stream,  which  was 
supposed  to  flow  across  the  Atlantic  in  a  never-ending  stream 
of  warmer  waters  to  our  shores.  This  long-established 
theory  has  of  late  years  lost  its  weight  with  many  investi- 
gators. It  is  found  that  the  Gulf  Stream  has  almost  ceased 
to  exist  a  little  to  the  east  of  the  Banks  of  Newfoundland ; 
and  the  most  recent  authorities  attribute  the  favourable 
temperature  conditions  of  the  North  Atlantic  directly  to 
the  influence  of  the  prevailing  south-westerly  winds,  and 
indirectly  to  a  surface  drift  of  warmer  waters  which  these 
winds  drive  before  them.  The  prevailing  winds  on  the 
American  side  of  the  Atlantic,  on  the  other  hand,  are  from 
the  north-east,  bringing  to  lower  latitudes  the  icy  conditions 
of  the  Arctic  Circle.  The  prevalence  of  our  balmy  south- 
westerly winds  is  due  to  the  existence  of  a  permanent  area 
of  high  pressure  near  the  Azores,  and  a  permanent  area 
of  low  pressure  near  Iceland.1 

Although  no  record  of  the  climate  of  Colonsay  is  available, 
an  approximate  idea  of  its  character  may  be  formed  from 
the  returns  of  surrounding  meteorological  stations  (v.  p.  48). 
The  island's  vegetation  is  also  a  good  indication  of  the 
nature  of  its  climate,  and  if  we  had  no  other  means  of 
information  much  could  still  be  learned,  with  regard  to  _ the 
general  meteorological  conditions  prevailing,  from  a  careful 
survey  of  the  island's  flora.  Moss-  and  lichen-coated  trees 
indicate  a  moisture-laden  atmosphere;  spongy  and  mossy 
pastures,  and  an  abundance  of  rushes,  sedges,  and  other 
plants  of  wet  situations  point  to  an  unstinted  and  a  well- 
distributed  rainfall.  Trees  and  plantations  leaning  east- 

1  "  Address  on  the  Climate  of  the  British  Isles,"  by  Andrew  Watt, 
M.A.,  F.R.S.E.,  Secretary  of  the  Scottish  Meteorological  Society 
(Scottish  Geographical  Magazine,  April  1908).  Much  of  the  informa- 
tion herein  contained  has  been  gleaned  from  Mr  "Watt's  interesting 
paper. 


48 


COLONSAY 


TABLE  SHOWING  THE  MEAN  MONTHLY  AND  ANNUAL  TEMPERATURES 
OF  THREE  INSULAR  STATIONS  SURROUNDING  COLONSAY:  those 
for  the  first  and  second  being  calculated  on  a  mean  of  40  years — 
January  1856  to  December  1895 — and  for  the  third  on  a  mean  of 
10  years— 1897  to  1906  inclusive. 


J 

1  g      £ 

. 

> 

Station. 

1 

JlH 

anuai 

1 

« 

SH 
-, 

1 

A 

a 
a 

1-5 

S 

3      ° 

1-5 

* 

Rudha    Vaal, 

feet. 

miles. 

Islay  . 

147 

8S 

40-9 

40  -S 

40 

Q 

4 

vo 

48'6 

54'2 

Du    Hirteach 

Lighthouse 

145 

15  WNW 

42-0 

41-4 

41 

4 

i-O 

48-3 

52-9 

Lochbuie, 

Mull  . 

20 

20  NE 

431 

39-0 

41 

0 

4 

1-6 

49-3 

55'4 

Station. 

a 
.2 

3 

c 

lilt 

13 

i 

! 

1 

1 

1 
§ 

Year. 

3 

a5  " 

<1 

02 

c 

5 

0 

1 

feet. 

Rudha  Vaal, 

miles. 

e 

Tslay.        . 
Du  Hirteach 

147 

8S 

55-6 

56-0 

54-0 

4^ 

•9 

44- 

427 

47-9 

Lighthouse 

145 

15  WNW 

55-2 

557 

54-4 

4< 

)•! 

451 

44-0 

48-0 

Lochbuie, 

- 

Mull. 

20 

20  NE 

57-0 

56-4 

54-5 

4{ 

J-4 

44'f 

41-5 

47-9 

ward  testify  to  the  prevalence  and  force  of  the  westerly 
winds.  Plants  of  foreign  origin,  which  are  found  growing 
extensively  out  of  doors  elsewhere  only  in  the  climatically 
favoured  counties  of  Cornwall  and  Devonshire,  indicate  the 
mildness  of  the  island's  winter  climate.  In  favourable 
seasons,  the  peach  and  the  fig  ripen  their  fruit  in  good 
situations  on  walls  in  the  open.  The  heat  of  summer  is 
not,  however,  sufficient,  as  a  rule,  to  bring  wheat  to  perfec- 


CLIMATE  49 

tion ;  and  owing  to  the  prevalence  of  sunless  days  in  autumn 
the  ripening  process  of  the  young  wood  of  fruit-trees  and 
other  plants  is  often  but  imperfectly  done. 

Temperature. — According  to  Dr  Buchan's  maps  of  the 
temperature  of  the  British  Isles,  the  mean  annual  temperature 
of  the  county  of  Argyll  is  48° -5  F. ;  the  average  variation 
being  39°-5-42*  F.  in  January  to  56°-57°'5  F.  in  July. 

In  mid-winter  (January)  the  only  parts  of  Britain  that  have 
a  mean  temperature  of  41°  F.  and  over  are  situated  west  of  a 
line  drawn  from  Loch  Roag  in  Lewis  southward  through  Skye, 
Ardnamurchan,  and  the  Isles  of  Mull  and  Islay.  Colonsay 
lies  west  of  this  line,  with,  if  it  be  produced  farther  south, 
the  Isle  of  Man  and  Anglesea,  the  western  seaboards  of  Wales 
and  the  extreme  south-western  counties  of  England.  Along 
the  East  Coast,  on  the  other  hand,  the  isotherms  of  38°  and 
39°  are  dominant.  In  mid-summer,  again,  we  find  that,  owing 
to  the  tempering  influence  of  the  Atlantic,  the  temperature 
on  the  West  Coast  is  generally  lower  than  it  is  on  the  East. 

Elevation  and  Temperature. — For  every  300  feet  ascent 
that  we  make  the  thermometer  drops  1°  F.  To  get  the 
same  decrease  of  temperature  at  sea-level  we  have  to  travel 
more  than  a  degree  of  latitude  due  north.  Owing  to  this 
natural  decrease  of  temperature  from  south  to  north,  we  find 
that  the  limit  at  which  cultivation  can  be  carried  on  gradually 
descends  from  an  altitude  of  2000  feet  in  the  south  of  Eng- 
land to  sea-level  in  the  Shetland  Isles.  The  bracken  is  said 
to  determine  the  line  of  cultivation  in  Britain,  but  on  the 
West  Coast  it  is  not  uncommonly  found  growing  at  elevations 
at  which  few  crops  could  be  grown  with  profit.  In  a  low- 
lying  island  like  Colonsay,  the  difference  in  temperature 
between  sea-level  and  the  highest  point  is  so  small  (less  than 
2°  F.)  as  to  be  barely  noticeable,  and  hardly  sufficient  to  affect 
the  distribution  of  plants.  On  the  mainland,  however,  and 
wherever  the  land  attains  to  a  considerable  altitude,  we  find, 

4 


50 


COLONSAY 


as  we  ascend,  an  appreciable  reduction  of  temperature,  marked 
in  the  loftier  of  the  islands  by  the  occurrence  of  certain  species 
of  plants  that  are  rarely,  or  never,  found  growing  at  low  levels. 

Rainfall. — According  to  Dr  Hugh  Eobert  Mill,  Director 
of  the  "British  Rainfall,"  the  yearly  rainfall  of  Colonsay 
may  be  taken  as  varying  from  40  to  50  inches,  distributed 
throughout  the  months  of  the  year,  on  an  average,  as 
follows : — January  5  inches,  February  4  inches,  March 

3  inches,  April  2  inches,  May  2  inches,  June  3  inches,  July 

4  inches,    August  4   inches,    September  5  inches,  October 

5  inches,  November  5  inches,  December  5  inches. 

MEAN  MONTHLY  AND  ANNUAL  RAINFALL  OF  THREE  INSULAR 
STATIONS  SURROUNDING  COLONSAY  :  calculated  on  a  mean  of 
15  years — 1876  to  1890 — for  Gruinart  and  Fladda,  and  on  a  mean 
of  9  years— 1866  to  1874— for  Hynish,  Tiree. 


a 

c 

S  o       % 

. 

£ 

Station. 

1 
J2 

in 

I 

1 

1 

4 

1 

| 

feet 

miles 

Gruinart,  Islay 

214 

10  S 

4-88 

3-55 

3-1 

1 

2 

07 

2-09 

2-86 

Fladda    . 

12 

20  NE 

6'66 

4-28 

4'] 

0 

2 

35 

2-50 

374 

Hynish  Farm, 
Tiree   . 

50 

34  NW 

5-27 

3-53 

2 

•68 

2-26 

2-19 

§ 

lg      £ 

1 

& 

! 

S 

fe 

Station. 

1 

IIU 
.22  Q      0 

"3 

i-s 

I 

1 

02 

•! 

I 

! 

i 

a 

S 

£ 

1 

Year. 

feet 

miles 

Gruinart,  Islay 

214 

10  S 

3-07 

3-80 

4-33 

4' 

25 

4'9( 

5-41 

44-40 

Fladda     . 

12 

20  NE 

4-19 

4-36 

5-14 

5- 

48 

6-2' 

5-82 

54-89 

Hynish    Farm, 
Tiree    . 

50 

34  NW 

3-18 

2-73 

4-18 

4' 

32 

S  3-47 

40-52 

CLIMATE  51 

The  height  and  configuration  of  the  land  have  a  powerful 
influence  on  the  rainfall.  Where  high  hills  intercept 
moisture-laden  winds  from  the  sea,  the  fall  is  much  greater 
than  it  is  in  low-lying  districts.  Warm  air  holds  more 
vapour  in  suspension  than  cold  air ;  and  as  the  moisture- 
laden  winds  that  blow  in  from  the  sea  rise  over  the  hills 
they  quickly  cool  and  precipitate  part  of  their  moisture  in 
the  form  of  rain  or  fog.  At  the  low-lying  lands  of  the 
Rhinns  of  Islay  the  average  fall  is  probably  under  40  inches ; 
in  the  more  hilly  district  round  M'Arthur's  Head  in 
the  same  island  it  rises  to  about  60  inches  (37  years' 
average,  1862-98).  In  Tiree,  where  much  of  the  land 
is  scarcely  higher  than  sea-level,  the  annual  fall  is  little 
more  than  40  inches;  at  Lochbuie,  which  lies  under 
the  high  mountains  of  Mull,  it  is  90  inches.  At 
Stornoway  the  annual  fall  is  about  48  inches  (1856- 
98),  at  Portree  88  inches,  and  at  Dunollie  and  Oban  about 
60  inches. 

A  comparison  of  the  returns  from  the  East  Coast  with 
those  from  the  West  shows  that  the  rainfall  on  the  West 
Coast  is  much  greater  than  it  is  on  the  East,  on  no  part  of 
which  does  it  reach  40  inches,  while  it  is  less  than  30  on 
the  north-east  coast  of  Caithness,  the  low-lying  lands  to  the 
south-east  of  the  Moray  Firth,  along  the  East  Coast  to  Burnt- 
island,  and  on  the  low  grounds  of  Mid  and  East  Lothian. 
Over  a  large  part  of  the  south-east  of  England,  from  the 
Humber  to  the  estuary  of  the  Thames,  the  average  rainfall 
varies  from  about  22  to  25  inches.  The  average  number  of 
days  on  which  rain  falls  annually  on  the  West  Coast  is  about 
200,  and  on  the  East  Coast  150.  Great  variations,  however, 
occur  in  the  annual  rainfall,  and  a  short  series  of  observa- 
tions, if  taken  as  indicating  the  average  rainfall  of  a  particular 
district,  might  prove  very  misleading.  Even  a  decade  is  not 
a  long  enough  period  to  get  a  true  mean.  The  seventies 
were  a  wet  decade,  which,  if  taken  alone,  would  lead  us  to 


52  COLONSAY 

overestimate  the  rainfall  of  many  localities ;   the  eighties,  a 
dry  decade  that  would  cause  us  to  underestimate  it. 

Winds. — In  the  more  exposed  of  the  Western  Isles  the 
prevalence  of  strong  winds  has  a  most  detrimental  effect 
on  the  growth  of  many  plants,  particularly  those  that  are 
not  native  but  have  been  introduced  to  the  islands.  During 
the  early  part  of  the  growing  season  the  tender  leaves  and 
shoots  of  trees  in  exposed  positions  become  prematurely 
battered  and  brown,  and  are  rendered  unfit  for  carrying  on 
the  complicated  processes  that  are  so  vital  to  the  well- 
being  of  the  plant.  Not  infrequently  the  young  leaves  are 
torn  off  the  trees  by  the  force  of  the  wind  before  they  are 
fully  developed.  Owing  to  the  preponderance  of  westerly 
winds,  trees  in  exposed  positions  acquire  a  characteristic 
one-sided  shape,  the  greater  part  of  their  development  being 
in  the  easterly  direction.  Autumn  gales  frequently  damage 
the  fruit  crop  by  stripping  the  fruit  off  the  trees.  Often 
when  a  gale  or  stormy  weather  is  approaching  from  the  west 
a  rising  swell  on  the  sea  gives  premonitory  warning  of  its 
advance  several  days  beforehand,  even  though  the  air  around 
may  be  comparatively  still. 

Directions  from  which  the  wind  blew  at  Du  Hirteach 
Lighthouse  (15  miles  W.N.W.  of  Colonsay)  during  1898  : — 
K,  44  days;  N.E.,  19  days;  E.,  28  days;  S.E.,  37  days; 
S.,  58  days ;  S.W.,  69  days ;  W.,  59  days ;  N.W.,  49  days ; 
calm  or  variable,  2  days. 

Sunshine. — The  percentage  of  sunshine  on  the  West  Coast 
is  greater  than  might  be  expected,  taking  into  consideration 
the  heavy  rainfall  of  the  West  Coast  when  compared  with 
that  of  the  East.  In  1906  bright  sunshine  at  Oban  was 
28  per  cent  (average  rainfall  60  inches),  and  in  Edinburgh 
31|  per  cent  (rainfall  26  inches).  The  average  sunshine  for 
Stornoway  for  25  years  is  29  per  cent.  In  spring,  when 


CLIMATE  53 

east  winds  are  common,  the  West  Coast  is  frequently  much 
sunnier  than  the  East.  Locally,  the  sunniest  and  driest 
weather  is  experienced  in  the  months  of  April,  May,  and 
June,  crops  sometimes  suffering  from  drought  during  that 
period. 

In  the  daily  sunshine  returns  for  May  and  June  1909, 
published  from  health  and  holiday  resorts  all  over  the 
country,  Oban,  for  a  period,  remained  at  the  top  of  the  list. 
In  addition  to  this  remarkable  duration  of  sunshine,  the 
climate  of  the  district  is  characterised  by  other  notable 
features.  Analysis  has  shown  that,  for  purity,  its  atmo- 
sphere is  unexcelled  in  Europe ;  and  while  all  along  the  West 
Coast  the  rainfall  is  considerable,  the  humidity  is  less  than 
that  of  Brighton  and  other  health  resorts  in  the  south  of 
England.  The  dryness  of  the  atmosphere  in  Colonsay  may 
be  gathered  from  the  rapidity  with  which  the  soil  and  the 
roads  dry  even  after  heavy  rains. 

Temperature  of  the  Sea. — The  mean  annual  temperature 
of  the  sea  on  the  West  Coast  of  Scotland  is  49°'l  F.,  ranging 
(at  Oban)  from  43° '3  F.  in  March  (the  coldest  period)  to 
55°  '7  F.  in  August.  In  shallow  bays,  at  full  tide  on  a  sunny 
day,  the  temperature  is  much  higher,  and  in  Colonsay  the 
sea  is  much  warmer  on  the  southern  than  it  is  on  its  deeper 
northern  shores.  On  the  East  Coast  of  Scotland  the  mean 
annual  temperature  of  the  sea  is  1°  to  2°  F.  less  than  that 
of  the  West,  ranging  (at  Dunbar)  from  40°'3  F.  in  March  to 
56°*4  in  August.  The  temperatures  of  the  sea  and  the  air 
are  about  equal  on  the  East  Coast ;  on  the  West  Coast 
the  temperature  of  the  sea  is  2°  to  3°  F.  in  excess  of  that  of 
the  air. 


CHAPTER  III 

GEOLOGICAL    FORMATION 

VIEWED  across  the  intervening  channel  f rom  Colonsay,  the  land- 
scape of  Mull  presents  to  us  certain  unfamiliar  features  which 
find  no  counterpart  in  Colonsay  or  in  any  of  the  neighbouring 
islands  within  view.  The  terraced  outline  of  the  majestic 
Ben  Mor  is  rounded  and  full,  but,  even  where  dissected  into 
summits  and  slopes,  this  Tertiary  volcanic  mass  differs  funda- 
mentally in  appearance  from  the  hills  of  the  southern  islands, 
which  are  composed  of  very  ancient  schistose  rocks. 

In  these  two  islands,  Colonsay  and  Mull,  we  have  types 
sufficiently  illustrative  of  the  two  main  formations — schistose 
and  gneissose  on  the  one  hand,  and  basaltic  on  the  other — 
into  which  the  Western  Isles  of  Scotland  may  be  grouped. 
Colonsay,  Gigha,  Islay,  Jura,  and  neighbouring  islets  are,  as 
might  be  expected  from  the  trend  of  the  great  Caledonian 
rent,  closely  associated  in  structure  with  the  mainland  of 
Argyll.  It  is  not  certain,  however,  that  the  rocks  of 
Colonsay  are  actually  represented  among  the  schists  of  the 
Argyllshire  mainland,  and  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  Dr 
Peach  places  them  in  the  great  Torridonian  system,  named 
after  Loch  Torridon  in  Ross-shire.  The  rocks  of  Coll,  Tiree, 
lona,  and  the  Outer  Hebrides  are  more  like  the  north  of 
Scotland  gneisses.  Skye,  Canna,  Eigg,  Mull,  and  some 
smaller  islets  comprise  those  of  basaltic  structure. 

While  broadly  placing  them  in  a  few  groups,  minor 
54 


GEOLOGICAL  FORMATION  55 

differences  enter  into  the  formation  of  individual  islands 
which  impart  to  each  its  distinctive  characteristics  in 
landscape  and  scenery;  the  composition  of  the  flora  also 
varies  to  some  extent.  Few  of  the  islands  of  the  Inner 
Hebrides  are,  in  detai],  identical  in  structure ;  but  the  Outer 
Hebrides  present  us  with  more  of  a  sameness  in  formation, 
their  entire  length,  a  stretch  of  130  miles,  being  mainly 
composed  of  Old  or  Lewisian  gneiss,  the  most  ancient  rock 
in  Britain.  Coll,  Tiree,  and  the  greater  part  of  lona  are 
similarly  formed.  In  some  of  the  Outer  Hebrides,  where 
the  vegetation  is  too  scanty  to  obscure  its  naked  surface,  this 
rock  imparts  a  barren  and  desolate  aspect  to  the  landscape. 
It  attains  its  greatest  elevation  in  the  island  of  Harris,  where 
it  rises  to  a  height  of  2662  feet. 

The  basaltic  islands,  from  Skye  southward  to  Mull,  are 
of  much  more  recent  origin,  and  consist  of  consolidated  lava- 
flows  erupted  during  the  Tertiary  period.  Ulster,  Mull, 
Rum,  Skye,  St  Kilda,  the  Faroes,  and  Iceland  are  believed 
to  have  been  the  principal  centres  of  volcanic  activity,  from 
which,  it  is  claimed  by  some,  cones  arose  to  a  height  of 
15,000  feet,  ejecting  discharges  which  overran  an  area  of 
40,000  square  miles.  Others  hold  that  the  lavas  issued 
more  often  from  fissures  than  from  definite  craters,  and 
built  up  undulating  plateaux  rather  than  cones.  The 
numerous  north-west  basaltic  "dykes"  of  the  "Western 
Highlands  furnish  ample  evidence  of  the  existence  of 
volcanic  fissures  of  this  period,  although  it  remains  an  open 
question  whether  these  were  the  chief  sources  of  the  lava 
streams.  There  is  no  lack  of  evidence  to  show  that  these 
islands  were  once  united  in  one  great  plateau.1 

The  northern  and  larger  portion  of  the  Isle   of  Skye  is 

mainly  composed  of   Tertiary  volcanic  rocks.     The  Cullins 

originated   from  bosses   of   gabbro   which  pierced   through 

underlying  basalt   plateaux;    and    the  Red   Hills   between 

1  See  Appendix. 


56  COLONSAY 

Sligachan  and  Broadford  have  been  similarly  formed  of 
granophyre  and  allied  rocks — striking  examples  of  the  peculiar 
contour  assumed  by  the  particular  varieties  of  rock  of  which 
they  are  composed.  There  are  large  areas  of  Torridonian 
sandstone,  much  like  that  of  Colonsay,  in  the  south  of  Skye ; 
and  the  neighbouring  isles  of  Soay,  Scalpay,  and  part  of 
Eaasay  are  mainly  formed  of  it. 

Torridonian  sandstone  is  the  principal  rock  in  the 
northern  half  of  Eum.  The  higher  mountains  of  the 
southern  portion  of  the  island  are  composed  of  gabbro. 
Quartz-porphyry  and  allied  rocks  enter  into  the  formation  of 
the  western  side  ;  while  gneissose  rocks,  recently  shown  by 
Mr  Barker  to  be  of  Tertiary  age,  are  much  in  evidence  in 
the  south-east.  The  isles  of  Canna,  Muck,  and  Eigg  mainly 
consist  of  basaltic  lavas. 

Mull,  like  the  northern  part  of  Skye,  is  mostly  Tertiary 
volcanic  rock.  Deep  layers  of  lava  flows  appear  to  cover 
remains  of  the  Mesozoic  period.  The  mountains  north  of 
Lochbuie  are  composed  of  gabbro ;  while  Ben  Mor,  the  highest 
mountain  in  Mull,  is  formed  of  bedded  lavas.  Granite 
appears  over  a  large  area  of  the  Eoss  of  Mull.  It  is  quarried, 
and  has  been  largely  employed  in  structures  requiring  great 
strength.  Du  Hirteach  and  Skerryvore  lighthouses,  Black- 
friars  Bridge,  Holborn  Viaduct,  Thames  Embankment,  and 
the  Prince  Consort  Memorial,  Hyde  Park,  are  well-known 
structures  for  which  this  stone  has  been  used. 

The  landscape  of  the  basaltic  differs  greatly  from  that  of 
the  gneissose  and  schistose  islands.  The  regular  terraced 
formation  and  beautiful  green-verdured  slopes,  such  as  are 
to  be  seen  in  Mull  and  the  north  of  Skye,  pleasingly 
contrast  with  the  irregular  ruggedness  of  the  Outer  and 
South  Inner  Hebrides.  As  the  decay  of  the  rocks  furnishes 
a  rich  loam  which  supports  a  luxuriant  growth  of  grass,  the 
basalt  districts  are  distinguished  by  their  greenness  even 
up  to  the  tops  of  the  hills. 


GEOLOGICAL  FORMATION  57 

The  South  Inner  Hebrides  consist,  for  the  most  part,  of 
a  series  of  complicated  and  highly  metamorphosed  rocks, 
known  for  the  present  as  Dalriadian,  from  the  ancient  Celtic 
kingdom  of  Dalriada.  The  islands  form,  as  it  were,  the 
south-western  fringe  of  the  zone  of  rocks  belonging  to  this 
group,  which  traverses  the  Central  Highlands  of  Scotland. 
Gigha,  the  most  southern  of  the  islands,  is,  like  the  adjacent 
portion  of  Kintyre,  mainly  composed  of  quartzite  and  mica- 
schist.  The  western  part  of  Islay  consists  mostly  of  grits 
and  dark  slates  of  the  Torridonian  system,  with  Lewisian 
gneisses  forming  the  Khinns.  The  central  parts  are  mostly 
slate,  the  north  and  east  quartzite-schist.  Broad  belts  of 
limestone  run  between  Portaskaig  and  the  head  of 
Lochindaal.  Portaskaig  is  well  known  to  geologists  also  for 
its  conglomerates  containing  granite  boulders.  Jura  and 
Scarba  are  principally  formed  of  quartzite-schist.  The  Paps 
of  Jura  and  the  adjacent  hills  of  Islay  are  among  the  finest 
and  most  characteristic  examples  of  quartzite  rocks  to  be 
seen  in  the  Highlands.  Luing  and  Seil  are  composed  of 
graphitic  mica-schist  and  black  slate,  the  latter  being 
worked ;  Lismore  and  the  Garvelloch  Isles  consist  of  lime- 
stone, associated  in  the  latter  with  Portaskaig  conglomerate  ; 
Kerrera  is  composed  of  andesite  (porphyrite),  etc. 

The  islands  of  Colonsay  and  Oransay  were  described  by 
M'Culloch  as  "extremely  uninteresting  in  a  geological  view," 
the  predominant  rock  being  micaceous  schist ;  but  subsequent 
investigations  have  discovered  that  there  are  other  and 
interesting  varieties  of  rock  entering  into  the  structure  of 
these  islands.  Quite  recent  researches,  by  Messrs  Wright 
and  Bailey  of  the  Geological  Survey,  have  brought  to  light 
certain  facts  which  may  have  an  important  bearing,  not  only 
on  the  orogenic  history  of  Colonsay,  but  also  on  that  of  the 
Highlands  in  general. 

Geology,  to  the  lay  mind,  is  a  somewhat  abstruse  subject, 


58  COLONSAY 

and  it  is  not  proposed  here  to  enter  into  its  discussion 
further  than  to  note  some  of  its  relations  to  the  landscape 
and  flora  of  Colonsay.  The  difficulties  encountered  by  any 
other  than  a  geologist  in  tracing  certain  rocks  through  the 
island,  owing  to  the  superficial  resemblance  the  different 
varieties  bear  to  one  another  and  their  lack  of  distinctive 
features,  are  greatly  increased  by  the  many  intermediate  forms 
which  they  assume.  Irregularities  in  topography  and  in  the 
outcropping  of  the  rocks  also  occur,  which  are  sufficiently 
great  to  perplex  the  novice  in  his  pursuit  of  practical 
geology  in  the  field,  and  to  prevent  him,  if  left  to  his  own 
resources,  from  ever  discovering  the  key  to  the  stratigraphical 
problem  of  the  islands.  A  coloured  geological  map,  kindly 
lent  by  Messrs  Wright  and  Bailey,  prepared  after  the  recent- 
survey  of  the  island  by  the  Geological  Department,  enabled 
the  writer  to  follow  up  the  principal  rocks  throughout  the 
island,  with  a  view  to  ascertaining  the  influence  (if  any) 
exerted  by  the  underlying  strata  on  the  surface  vegetation, 
referred  to  more  in  detail  elsewhere. 

Colonsay  and  Oransay  are,  as  already  stated,  mainly 
composed  of  sedimentary  rock  of  Lower  Torridonian  age. 
They  consist  of  "  alternating  series  of  grits,  flags,  and  mud- 
stones,  with  a  well-marked  bed  of  sandy  limestone  near  the 
top."  l  The  strike  is  approximately  north-east  and  south-west, 
and  the  prevalent  dip  towards  the  east.  "The  Colonsay 
limestone,  which,  with  the  beds  above  and  below  it, 
constitutes  an  easily  recognisable  horizon,  occurs  on  the 
eastern  coast  of  the  island,  dipping  out  to  sea  at  a  low  angle." 
An  almost  continuous  succession  from  higher  to  lower  beds 
is  passed  over  as  one  proceeds  westwards  or  southwards  from 
the  limestone,  "  and  on  finally  reaching  the  extreme  outlying 
parts  of  Oransay  and  Ardskenish  there  is  still  no  indication 


F.G.S.  (Q 
p.  297). 


The  Two  Earth-Movements  of  Colonsay,"  by  W.  B.  Wright,  B.  A.  , 
.  (Quarterly  Journal  of  the  Geological  Society,  vol.  Ixiv.  No.  254 


GEOLOGICAL  FORMATION  59 

of  any  base  to  this  enormously  thick  series  of  sediments." 
Taking  the  harbour,  therefore,  as  the  most  accessible  though 
perhaps  not  the  most  illustrative  starting-point,  and  following 
the  road  westwards  past  Machrins  beyond  the  golf-links  to 
Dun  Ghallain,  some  3  miles  distant,  we  may  conveniently 
take  note  of  the  principal  series  of  strata  of  which  the 
island  is  composed  as  they  occur  on  the  way. 

In  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  Scalasaig  there  is  a 
mass  of  granitic  rock  quite  different  in  structure  and  origin 
from  the  surrounding  sedimentary  strata.  On  both  sides  of 
the  road,  between  the  harbour  and  the  hotel,  it  is  seen 
protruding  through  green  patches  of  verdure  in  confused 
heaps  of  angular,  grey  masses.  Further  notice  of  this  rock  is 
deferred  to  a  later  paragraph  dealing  with  igneous  rocks,  to 
which  class  it  properly  belongs. 

The  bed  of  limestone  previously  referred  to  skirts  the 
coast  in  a  narrow  strip  from  Balaromin-dubh  until  it  passes 
out  to  sea  at  Rudha-an-Dobhrain  north  of  Scalasaig.  It  is 
therefore  to  be  seen  both  north  and  south  of  the  harbour, 
but  close  to  the  road  it  is  covered  by  the  granite.  A  good 
exposure  of  it  occurs  at  the  monument.  Dark  phyllites, 
which  overlie  the  limestone,  appear  at  Rudha-dubh  and  on 
the  east  of  Balaromin-dubh,  between  the  outcrop  of  the  lime- 
stone and  the  shore. 

Kiloran  flags,  the  strata  underlying  the  limestone,  form 
most  of  the  hilly  land,  north  and  south,  from  Dun  Tealtaig 
to  Balaromin-dubh.  The  flanks  of  the  Beannan  above  the 
hotel,  and  the  ridges  eastward  to  Carn-mor,  show  much  bare 
rock  through  a  scanty  covering  of  heather  and  other  dark 
heathy  vegetation  often  seen  on  this  formation.  The 
western  declivities  of  Cnoc-na-Faire,  on  which  the  monu- 
ment stands,  and  the  hills  of  Balaromin  show  less  naked 
rock.  Associated  with  the  limestone  it  also  encircles  Kiloran 
Bay,  rising  into  Carnan  Eoin,  the  highest  hill.  Beinn-a- 
Sgoltaire,  Beinn-nan-Gudairean,  and  Cnoc-an-t-Samhlaidh  are 


62  COLONSAY 

South  of  the  road,  beyond  the  boggy  ground  of  Rioma-mhor, 
alternate  beds  of  mudstones  and  grits  run  their  length 
through  Garvard  to  the  strand,  each  kind  of  rock  carrying 
with  it  its  peculiar  characteristics  of  contour,  which  are  well 
exposed  on  both  sides  of  the  track  from  Garvard  House 
to  Bealach-an-Aircleich.  The  mudstones  rise  up  in  low 
weathered  escarpments  on  the  east  side  of  the  path,  the  grits 
presenting  their  rounded  forms  on  the  west.  Mudstones 
reappear  in  Oransay,  rising  there  into  the  highest  hill, 
Beinn  Orasa.  The  stone  has  been  much  used  for  building 
the  field  dykes  about  Machrins. 

Cutting  across  the  golf-links  to  the  headland  of  Dun 
Ghallain,  we  come  to  the  last  of  the  rock  series  to  be 
considered — the  Dun  Ghallain  green-banded  epidotic  grits — 
which,  except  for  the  mudstones  and  sandstones,  are .  the 
lowest  rocks  of  the  Colonsay  series.  Near  the  head  of  Port 
Lobh  the  overlying  white  felspathic  grits  are  readily 
distinguished  from  the  Dun  Ghallain  grits  by  their  different 
structure.  The  white  grits  are  not  as  clearly  stratified  as 
the  green-banded  grits.  Dun  Ghallain  grits  curve  round 
the  south-west  of  the  island  from  Turnicil  to  the  head  of 
Traigh-nam-Barc,  rising  there  into  Cam  Spiris,  and  appearing 
again  in  the  Cuirn-mhor  of  lochdar-na-Garbhaird  and  on  the 
Oransay  side  of  the  strand. 

In  the  north-eastern  extremity  of  the  island  the  relations 
are  more  complex.  A  traverse  made  from  the  outcrop  of 
the  limestone  at  Scalasaig  to  Kiloran  Bay  passes  "  first  over 
successively  lower  beds  dipping  south-eastwards,  and  then 
this  dip  is  reversed  and  the  same  series  is  repeated  in 
ascending  order  until  the  Kiloran  Bay  limestone  is  once  more 
reached.  The  anticline  thus  crossed  has  a  north-easterly 
trend,  and  brings  to  the  surface,  along  its  axis,  the  rocks  of 
the  Kiloran  and  Milbuie  groups  which  underlie  the  limestone. 
From  the  manner  in  which  the  limestone  circles  round 
Kiloran  Bay,  it  is  clear  that  the  latter  here  occupies  the 


GEOLOGICAL  FORMATION  63 

Centre  of  a  synclinal  basin.  Finally,  the  northern  end 
of  the  island  has  an  anticlinal  structure;  and  a  mass  of 
gneiss,  presumably  of  Lewisian  age,  occupies  the  centre  of 
the  fold,"  e.g.  to  the  north  of  Balanahard  Bay  and  at 
Sgeir  Nic  Fhionnlaidh,  etc.,  "which  has  a  north-easterly 
trend."  * 

Igneous  Rocks. — Scalasaig  granite,  already  referred  to, 
is  the  largest  mass  of  igneous  rock  in  the  island.  It  is  a 
diorite,  and  is  described  by  Professor  Geikie  as  a  "coarsely 
crystalline  rock  of  a  very  hard,  tough,  and  durable  character. 
It  forms  a  handsomely  marked  rock — the  pale  and  dark- 
coloured  minerals  being  in  about  equal  proportions — and 
might  be  advantageously  employed  as  an  ornamental 
building -stone.  For  structures  requiring  great  strength 
hardly  a  better  stone  could  be  desired,  as  its  crushing 
power  must  be  very  considerable."  It  was  locally  used  in 
the  construction  of  Scalasaig  pier.  Syenite  and  kentallenite, 
other  granitic  rocks,  appear  in  Balanahard  —  the  former 
above  Slochd-a-Chroinn,  and  the  latter  in  the  vicinity  of 
Cnoc  Ormadail.  Kentallenite  is  a  particularly  interesting 
rock,  taking  its  name  from  Kentallen,  where  it  has  been 
wrought  for  years  as  "  the  black  granite  of  Ballachulish." 
There  are  four  smaller  plutonic  masses  —  two  in  the 
northern  part  of  Balanahard,  one  in  Lamalum,  and  one  in 
Aoineadh-nam-Muc.  Lamprophyre  dykes  of  widely  different 
ages  are  numerous  in  the  north  of  the  island,  while  basalt 
dykes  (Saor-an-Dao)  of  Tertiary  age  are  to  be  met  with  in 
the  south. 

Glaciation. — Viewed  some  distance  off,  the  hills  of  the 
island  present  certain  flowing  and  undulating  features  which 
geologists  inform  us  are  characteristic  results  of  glacial 

1  The  Two  Earth- Movements  of  Colonsay,  by  W.  B.  Wright,  B.A., 
F.G.S. 


64  COLONSAY 

action.  In  glacial  times,  so  we  are  told,  the  whole  of  the 
country,  like  the  north  of  Greenland  at  the  present  time, 
was  overflowed  with  ice,  which  ground  and  smoothed  all 
the  rough  surfaces.  But  the  softer  rocks,  readily  affected 
by  the  weather,  have  in  the  lapse  of  intervening  ages  lost 
much  of  the  rounded  outline  acquired  during  the  glacial 
period.  Nevertheless,  a  careful  examination  will  discover 
well  -  smoothed  and  well  -  striated  surfaces.  These  striae, 
which  are  very  well  seen  on  the  rocks  rising  from  the 
strand,  were  caused  by  the  rubbing  of  stones  as  they  were 
pushed  along  the  surface  by  moving  glaciers.  They  agree 
in  the  general  direction  in  which  they  run — east  to  west — 
and  this  shows  that  the  ice,  as  might  be  expected,  flowed 
from  the  mainland.  Here  and  there,  in  hollows  and  on 
the  hill-sides,  boulders  carried  by  the  ice,  differing  in 
structure  from  the  surrounding  rocks,  are  met  with. 
Messrs  Wright  and  Bailey  have  identified  boulders  of 
granite  from  Glen  Fyne,  porphyries  from  Loch  Fyne, 
pebbly  sandstones  and  red  conglomerates  from  an  unknown 
source ;  also  schists,  such  as  those  of  Jura  and  Crinan,  and 
other  kinds  of  rocks  not  entering  into  the  formation  of 
Colonsay.  These  "  erratics,"  which  were  carried  along  by 
the  ice,  point  to  a  prolonged  movement  from  the  easterly 
direction. 

Boulder  clay  or  till  is  met  with  in  hollows  in  various 
localities.  It  is  usually  a  reddish  coloured,  gritty  clay,  quite 
unstratified,  and  abundantly  charged  with  angular  and  sub- 
angular  stones  and  boulders,  not  a  few  of  which  show 
finely  striated  surfaces.  Many  of  the  stones  are  of  local 
origin,  while  others  come  from  a  distance.  The  distribution 
of  the  boulder  clay  confirms  the  supposition  regarding  the 
direction  from  which  the  ice  came.  It  is  generally  found 
in  situations  sheltered  from  the  full  brunt  of  the  ice  as  it 
flowed  from  the  mainland.  Ant-Allt-ruadh  (the  Red  Burn) 
has  probably  derived  its  name  from  the  discoloi'ation  of  its 


GEOLOGICAL  FORMATION  65 

waters,  in  time  of  flood,  by  this  deposit  through  which  it 
grooves  its  channel. 

Superficial  Deposits. — The  principal  of  these  are: — (1) 
Raised  Beach  Deposits,  (2)  Boulder  Clay,  (3)  Peat, 
(4)  Alluvium,  and  (5)  Blown  Sands.  The  most  fertile  and 
easily  worked  soils  in  the  island  originated  from  raised 
beach  deposits  laid  down  at  the  time  when  the  sea  over- 
flowed the  land  to  various  levels  at  and  below  the  100-feet 
contour.  Though  the  soils  are  usually  of  a  light  stony 
nature,  they  yield  good  crops.  The  arable  land  of 
Balanahard,  Port  -  an  -  Tigh  -  mhoir,  East  Kiloran,  Lower 
Kilchattan,  Machrina,  Ardskenish,  Garvard,  and  some  other 
places,  as  well  as  Oransay,  are  of  this  character.  Boulder 
clay  is  expensive  to  work,  but  with  good  drainage  and 
tillage  yields  good  crops.  The  principal  areas  of  it  are  West 
Kiloran,  Upper  Kilchattan,  Laon  Airidh,  West  Scalasaig, 
and  Balaromin-dubh.  Much  of  the  low-lying  land,  mostly 
meadow,  such  as  Kiloran  meadows  and  the  low  ground 
bordering  Loch  Fada — Blar-an-Deabhaidh,  Leana-ghlas,  etc. 
— is  composed  of  peat.  Unless  well  looked  after  in  the 
matter  of  drainage  and  top-dressing,  grass  in  these  meadows 
is  apt  to  die  out  and  be  replaced  by  less  nutritious 
plants,  such  as  the  Jointed  Rush  (Frafann),  sedges,  mosses, 
and  others  of  a  semi-aquatic  nature.  The  principal  areas 
of  alluvium  to  be  met  with  are  the  low-lying  parts  of  Fang 
in  Kiloran,  Leana-na-Cachaleith  in  Kilchattan,  and  Moine 
Thomach  in  Scalasaig.  Tracts  of  blown  sand,  irregular  and 
billowy  in  outline,  are  to  be  seen  in  the  north  and  south 
ends  of  the  island. 

Over  most  of  the  hilly  land  there  is  a  layer  of  peat,  of 
some  depth  in  the  hollows,  becoming  thin  towards  the  tops 
of  the  hills,  and  frequently  allowing  bare  rock  to  be  exposed 
on  the  summits.  That  the  peat  layer  is  gradually  increasing 
in  depth  may  be  observed  in  the  peat-cutting  areas,  where 

5 


66  COLONSAY 

trenches  that  are  made  in  cutting  peat  for  fuel  are  seen, 
in  the  course  of  years,  to  be  filling  up.  When  cutting  is 
done,  the  top  spit  with  the  covering  vegetation  is  removed 
and  laid  aside ;  after  the  available  layers  of  peat  have 
been  removed,  it  is  set  back  in  the  bottom  of  the  trench. 
Although  the  growing  process  of  the  peat  is  noticeable  in 
moist  places,  it  is  not  so  apparent  on  the  dry  hill-tops. 

Besides  those  already  enumerated,  many  intermediate 
grades  of  soil  are  to  be  met  with  throughout  the  island — 
dark,  hazel  and  yellow  loams,  soils  containing  a  large  propor- 
tion of  humus,  and  others  of  a  sandy  nature,  with  possibly 
small  areas  of  calcareous  soils  in  Uragaig  and  some  other 
places.  There  is  no  available  record  of  the  soils  having 
been  analysed.  One  of  the  most  fertile  loams  in  the  island 
has  been  formed  by  the  decay  of  the  "Scalasaig  granite." 
"  Much  of  the  fertility  of  the  districts  bordering  on  the  sea 
is  derived  from  shelly  sand  which  the  Atlantic  supplies 
more  or  less  abundantly  to  all  the  islands  of  the  Inner  and 
Outer  Hebrides.  This  sand  supports  a  beautifully  green  turf, 
which  in  summer  time  is  gay  with  wild  flowers,  affording 
colour  effects  for  which  the  landscape  painter  may  search 
the  pasture-lands  of  the  mainland  in  vain.  The  greater 
part  of  Oransay  is  of  this  character."1 

Landscape  and  scenery  are  largely  dependent  on  geological 
structure.  Hard  rocks  resist  disintegration  and  form  hills, 
while  the  softer  and  more  destructible  materials  crumble 
away  into  hollows  and  valleys.  Every  prattling  stream  that 
finds  its  way  to  the  sea  assists  in  the  process  of  landscape 
sculpture.  The  running  water  carves  out  the  hollows  and 
the  valleys  by  cutting  and  grooving  the  channels  of  the 
streams  deeper  and  ever  deeper,  carrying  away  the  loosened 

1  "Notes  on  the  Geology  of  Colonsay  and  Oransay,"  by  James  Geikie, 
LL.D.,  F.R.S.,  F.R.S.E.,  etc.,  of  H.M.  Geological  Survey  (Tramactions 
of  the  Geological  Society  of  Glasgow,  vol.  vi.  part  ii.,  1878-79, 
1879-80). 


GEOLOGICAL  FORMATION  67 

material  in  its  downward  course.  Without  considering  its 
rocky  aspect,  which  possibly  strikes  the  traveller  from  the 
south  as  nothing  short  of  remarkable,  the  predominating 
note  in  the  island's  landscape  is  the  flowing  and  undulating 
outline  acquired  during  the  glacial  period.  It  is  true, 
however,  that  the  softer  rocks  are  yielding  to  the 
disintegrating  influence  of  the  weather,  and  that  the 
characteristic  results  of  the  ice  are  being  slowly  but  surely 
effaced. 

Rocks  and  Flora. — Owing  to  the  identical  structure  of 
Coll,  Tiree,  and  the  Outer  Hebrides,  we  would  expect  to  find 
their  floras  very  much  alike  in  composition.  Such,  in  fact, 
is  the  case ;  but  while  Mr  M 'Vicar,  in  his  Notes  on  the 
Flora  of  Western  Inverness,  classes  Tiree  with  the  Outer 
Hebrides,  he  points  out  that  the  flora  of  Coll  has  many 
features  in  common  with  that  of  the  schistose  islands.  In 
the  actual  records  of  plants  there  is  a  greater  resemblance 
between  the  floras  of  the  schistose  and  gneissose  islands  than 
between  either  of  them  and  those  of  the  basaltic  formations. 
It  should  be  noted,  however,  that  the  soil  in  many  of  the 
most  prolific  localities  in  the  former  has  not  been  derived 
from  the  rocks  of  which  the  islands  are  composed,  but  has 
been  deposited  during  the  raised-beach  periods.  It  is 
probably  of  these  raised-beach  deposits  that  much  of  the 
low-lying  and  most  fertile  land  of  the  islands — Coll,  Tiree, 
Barra,  etc. — is  composed. 

A  larger  number  of  plants  are  found  in  the  South  Inner 
Hebrides  than  in  any  of  the  other  groups.  The  many  other 
kinds  of  rocks,  besides  the  schists,  entering  into  the  struc- 
ture of  the  islands  may  help  to  enrich  their  flora.  Certain 
calcicole  plants  are  known  to  occur  on  the  limestone  in 
Islay,  and  even  in  Colonsay,  where  the  area  occupied  by  this 
rock  is  restricted  to  very  narrow  limits.  The  flora  of 
Lismcre  is  characterised  by  the  common  occurrence  of 


68  COLONSAY 

certain   species — Wall   Rue   and   Hartstongue  Ferns,  Rock 
Rose,  etc. — which  show  a  preference  for  lime. 

Plants  are  found  on  the  basaltic  formation  which  have 
not  been  recorded  from  the  South  Inner  Hebrides.  Some 
species,  again,  are  common  to  both  groups  of  islands  that  are 
wanting  in  the  Outer  Hebrides ;  while  a  still  fewer  number 
are  found  in  the  Outer  Hebrides  and  on  the  basaltic  islands 
that  are  absent  from  the  South  Inner  Hebrides. 


CHAPTER  IV 

WOODS,  LOCHS,  AND  PASTURES 

Natural  Woods.1 — There  are  two  natural  woods — Coille-mhor 
and  Coille-bheag — on  the  eastern  slopes  of  the  northern  half 
of  the  island,  and  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  formerly 
they  extended  over  a  much  larger  area  of  the  island  than 
they  now  cover.  The  woods  principally  consist  of  birch  of 
the  Tomentosa  section.  Varieties  of  Betula  alba  were  dis- 
covered, but  not  the  type;  investigations  in  this  direction, 
however,  were  not  searching.  There  is  a  good  proportion  of 
oak  (one  specimen  being  identified  as  Quercus  pedunculata 
and  another  as  Q.  sessiliflora)  in  Coille-mhor ;  and  of  Aspen 
(Populus  tremula)  in  Coille-bheag,  where  some  trees  30  to  35 
feet  high  are  to  be  seen.  Hazel,  Rowan,  Willow,  HaAvthorn, 
and  Holly  also  enter  into  the  composition  of  the  woods.  A 
few  good-sized  Ash-trees  are  to  be  seen  in  Glaic-an-Uinnsinn, 
but  it  is  doubtful  if  they  are  truly  indigenous.  Near  the 
beginning  of  last  century  a  path  from  Colonsay  House  was 
made  through  Coille-mhor  to  a  summer-house  (an  Tigh 
C6intich)  at  Cul-Salach,  and  it  is  possible  that  the  Ash- 
trees  were  then  planted. 

Although  many  of  the  old  Birch-trees  are  dying  out,  the 
woods  are  being  rejuvenated  by  young  plantations  of  Birch 

1  This  paper  on  "  Jsatural  Woods  and  Plantations"  was  read 
before  the  Edinburgh  Botanical  Society  at  their  meeting  on  8th 
April  1909. 

69 


70  COLONSAY 

and  Aspen,  which  are  naturally  springing  up  and  contending 
for  supremacy  with  an  annual  luxuriant  growth  of  bracken. 
The  Woodbine  twines  over  the  trees,  and  festoons  along  the 
edges  of  the  numerous  rocky  gullies  that  cut  up  these  slopes  ; 
and  the  Ivy  has  climbed  up  and  formed  pretty  evergreens  of 
the  more  stunted  of  the  forest  trees.  The  Prickly  Toothed 
Buckler  Fern  grows  in  profusion,  and  the  little  Filmy  Fern 
is  also  to  be  seen  under  mossy  banks.  White  felspathic 
grits  underlie  Coille-bheag,  and  grey  phyllites  is  the 
principal  rock  in  the  vicinity  of  Coille-mhor,  the  better 
condition  of  the  rabbits  in  the  latter  being,  no  doubt,  due  to 
the  more  grassy  herbage  of  the  phyllites  on  which  they  feed. 

Estate  Plantations. — The  earliest  planted  trees  now  to 
be  seen  in  the  island  are  a  few  old  specimens  of  Ash  and 
Elm,  survivors  of  a  semicircular  line  of  trees  which  marked 
the  boundary  of  the  original  mansion-house  garden.  These, 
together  with  a  clump  on  the  southern  slope  of  Beinn-a- 
Sgoltaire,  are  believed  to  have  been  planted  more  than  a 
century  and  a  half  ago — possibly  soon  after  the  first  part 
of  the  mansion-house  had  been  built,  in  1722.  In  his  Tour 
(1772),  Pennant  remarks  on  the  vigorous  growth  of  the  trees 
around  Colonsay  House.  Other  trees  within  the  policies,  now 
grown  to  a  considerable  size,  were  planted  about  a  century 
ago.  The  first  extensive  planting  of  trees  began  about  .eighty 
to  ninety  years  ago,  when  Cnoc  Calanda,  Pairc  Dharaich, 
Caolachadh,  Fail-na-Muc,  and  Glaic-a-Chuill  were,  in  the 
course  of  years,  successively  planted.  A  number  of  smaller 
plantations,  including  that  at  the  Manse  and  Allt-Euadh  in 
Scalasaig,  were  planted  by  Lord  Colonsay  about  fifty  years  ago. 

Such  was  their  tardiness  in  making  headway  when  plant- 
ing in  the  island  first  began,  that  it  was  considered  amply 
satisfactory  if  the  trees  grew  sufficiently  to  form  good  cover. 
For  the  first  ten  years  or  so  they  made  little  progress,  and 
many  places  had  to  be  planted  over  and  over  again.  Not 


WOODS,  LOCHS,  AND   PASTURES        71 

until  the  trees  had  grown  sufficiently  to  give  shelter  to  one 
another  was  the  annual  growth  at  all  apparent.  Protection 
from  animals  and  shelter  from  winds  were  provided  at  first 
by  dry-stone  dykes  5  feet  high,  extensively  built  for  the 
purpose.  Alder  and  Sea-Buckthorn  were  planted  along  the 
edges  most  exposed  to  the  prevailing  winds.  For  wet 
situations  Alder  and  various  species  of  Poplar  were  used. 
Poplars  did  not  last  well,  and  they  were  also  liable  to  be 
blown  over.  Native  trees — Birch,  Oak,  Rowan,  etc. — have 
sprung  up  in  hilly  ground  where  planted  trees  did  not  grow. 
The  most  commonly  planted  of  deciduous  trees  are  Ash, 
Elm,  Beech,  Sycamore,  and  Alder,  mixed  with  a  lesser 
number  of  Lime,  Horse-Chestnut,  Turkey  Oak,  White  Beam, 
White  Willow,  etc.  The  Ash,  though  one  of  the  fastest 
growing  and  most  useful  of  the  trees,  is  liable  to  decay. 
The  Beech  grows  well  in  dry  situations,  and  has  not  yet 
shown  any  signs  of  unhealthiness.  While  most  of  the  trees — 
Ash,  Oak,  Conifers,  etc. — lose  their  lower  branches  in  dense 
shade,  those  of  the  Beech  have,  in  many  cases,  retained  their 
vitality  arid  still  produce  leaves.  This  is  also  the  case  with 
the  Lime,  Chestnut,  and  perhaps  a  few  other  kinds.  Of 
coniferous  trees  the  Larch,  Scots  Pine,  Silver  Fir,  and 
Norwegian  Spruce  have  thriven  best.  The  Larch  has  pro- 
duced the  most  valuable  timber,  but  the  Silver  Firs  are  the 
handsomest  trees.  A  few  other  species — Cluster,  Mountain, 
and  Corsican  Pines — are  also  planted.  Owing  to  its  tendency 
to  fall  over  at  an  early  age,  the  Cluster  Pine  is  often  seen 
with  the  lower  portion  of  the  stem  prostrate.  Coniferous 
trees,  as  a  rule,  do  not  take  kindly  to  full  exposure  to  strong 
winds.  Cupressus  macrocarpa  has  not  been  planted  as  a 
forest  tree,  but  it  appears  suitable  for  the  climate.  Rhodo- 
dendrons, which  were  first  planted  for  cover  where  the  woods 
were  getting  thin  about  thirty  years  ago,  are  now  thoroughly 
at  home,  and  every  year  hundreds  of  seedlings  are  spon- 
taneously springing  up. 


72 


COLONSAY 


The  average  annual  rate  of  growth  of  all  the  plantations 
from  the  time  of  planting  has  not  exceeded  6  inches.  Trees 
of  Cupressus  macrocarpa  and  Acer  pseudoplatanus  in  good 
soil  and  in  an  exceptionally  well  -  sheltered  situation  at 
Kiloran  grew  at  the  rate  of  1  foot  10  inches  per  annum  for 
twenty-five  years ;  but  that  is  quite  an  exceptionally  fast  rate 
of  growth  for  this  island. 

MEASUREMENTS  OF  SOME  OF  THE  LARGEST  TREES  IN  THE  ISLAND. 


Kind  of  Tree. 

Age. 

Height. 

Girth  of  Stem 
at  5  ft.  from 
the  Ground. 

years. 

ft.    in. 

ft.  in. 

Ash 

90-100 

83     0 

5     7 

., 

70    0 

9     2 

Elm 

78    0 

7     6 

Beech      . 

74    0 

5  10J 

Chestnut 

69     0 

4  11 

>f 

60     0 

7    3 

Sycamore 
Lime 

71     6 

74    0 

7    5 
6     4) 

Alder      . 

68    0 

5     8 

Larch      . 

80-90 

71     6 

3     2 

)i 

70    0 

4     4 

Scots  Pine 

73     0 

4     0 

Cluster  ,, 

62     6 

5     3 

56     0 

8     3 

Norway  Spruce 

58     0 

3     8 

Silver  Fir 

67     0 

6     7 

Picea  Webbiana 

68     0 

5     2 

Douglas  Fir     . 

47    0 

2  11J 

Spreading  Elm 

150 

50     0 

9     0 

Spread  of  branches 

90ft. 

Cupressus 

54 

69     0 

11  10 

Very  short  bole  ; 

TfldCTOCdTpd 

girth  taken  at  2  ft. 

from    the   ground. 

This  tree  was  grown 

from  seed  sent  by 
Colonel  (afterwards 

General)    Mitchell 

from  India. 

The  records  from  Skerryvore  Lighthouse  show  that  these 
islands  are  more  subject  to  stormy  weather  than  any  other 


WOODS,  LOCHS,  AND  PASTURES        73 

part  of  the  British  coast,  and  the  evil  effect  on  the  develop- 
ment of  trees  is  manifested  by  the  extremely  slow  annual 
rate  of  growth.  The  island  of  Tiree,  the  land  lying  nearest 
to  Skerry  vore,  is  destitute  of  trees.  In  Colonsay  the  planta- 
tion of  Glaic-a-Chuill,  which  extends  well  up  to  the  top  of 
Beinn-a-Sgoltaire,  provides  a  striking  example  of  the  retard- 
ing effects  of  exposure  to  winds  on  the  growth  of  some  kinds 
of  trees.  The  plantation  is  more  than  sixty  years  old,  and 
even  in  the  sheltered  hollow  at  the  base  of  the  hill,  where 
the  soil  is  also  much  better,  the  trees  do  not  exceed  60  feet 
in  height — an  annual  growth  rate  of  something  less  than  a 
foot — while  at  higher  elevations  the  trees  make  little  or  no 
progress.  The  following  are  measurements  of  four  pigmy 
trees  growing  near  the  top  of  the  hill  (elevation  about  350 
feet).  They  are  not  taller  than  the  heather  among  which 
they  grow,  but  they  are  still  green  and  living : — Larch  (a), 
height  1  foot  11  inches,  girth  of  stem  2  inches;  Larch  (b), 
height  2  feet  2  inches,  girth  5|  inches,  spread  of  branches 
2  feet  9  inches  ;  Scots  Pine,  height  1  foot  9  inches,  girth  1^ 
inches ;  Spruce,  height  1  foot  2  inches.  In  the  shelter  of 
the  dry-stone  dyke  close  at  hand,  Spruce  and  Larch  have 
grown  to  the  height  of  the  dyke  but  no  higher. 

The  early  decay  of  such  trees  as  the  Ash  and  Elm  may 
sometimes  be  due  to  the  nature  of  the  ground,  as  the  soil  in 
many  places  is  too  shallow  to  produce  heavy  timber  or  to 
sustain  the  trees  in  a  healthy,  growing  condition  for  long. 
Often  when  they  are  blown  over  by  strong  winds  the  roots 
lift  up  all  the  soil  along  with  them  and  leave  the  bare  rock 
exposed.  As  the  result  of  a  moist  climate,  and  one  that 
is  detrimental  to  the  health  of  the  trees,  we  generally  find 
the  stems  and  branches  with  a  luxuriant  growth  of  moss, 
lichens,  etc.  Trees  with  a  hard,  smooth  bark,  the  Beech  in 
particular,  and  those  that  shed  their  bark,  as  the  Birch,  Scots 
Pine,  etc.,  as  well  as  young  trees  that  are  growing  rapidly, 
are  sometimes  not  so  much  infested  with  this  form  of  vegeta- 


74  COLONSAY 

tion;  but  exceptions  are  not  infrequent  in  every  case. 
Parmelia  perlata,  Nyl.,  is  the  commonest  of  the  lichens. 
Usnea  barbata,  Fr.,  gives  the  trees  a  peculiarly  hoary  aspect. 
It  is  sometimes  seen  growing  on  the  south-west  but  not  on 
the  north-west  side  of  the  trunks.  Sticta  pulmonaria,  Ach. 
(Tree  Lungwort)  is  common  on  the  Ash,  Oak,  Sycamore,  etc. 
Pannaria  plumbea,  Lightf.,  and  species  of  Pertusaria,  etc., 
are  less  frequently  seen.  The  following  are  among  the 
commonest  of  the  mosses  found  growing  on  the  stems  and 
branches  : — Eurhynchium  myosuroides,  Schpr.  (on  the  Birch), 
Ulota  phyllantha,  Brid.  (Ash),  Hypnum  cupressiforme,  var. 
resupinatum,  Schpr.  (White  Willow),  Hypnum  cupressiforme, 
var.  filiforme,  Brid.  (Larch),  Metzgeria  furcata,  Eaddi,  and 
Brachythecium  rutabulum,  Bruch  and  Schpr. 

Ornamental  Trees  and  Shrubs. — The  following  list  may  not 
be  without  interest  as  being  among  those  plants  that  thrive 
under  the  influence  of  the  sea  air.  It  should  be  remarked, 
however,  that  all  those  noted  are  growing  in  sheltered  situa- 
tions in  Colonsay  House  grounds  near  the  centre  of  the  island. 

Evergreens.  —  Rhododendrons  (R.  ponticuni)  thrive  in 
various  kinds  of  soils  and  situations,  and  in  early  summer 
make  a  pretty  display  with  a  profusion  of  their  purple-violet 
flowers.  The  first  plants,  which  were  introduced  about  sixty 
years  ago  from  Ardlussa  in  Jura,  have  developed  into  large 
specimens  20  feet  high  and  40  feet  through.  Seedlings  from 
the  woods  were  planted  by  their  Majesties  King  Edward  VII. 
and  Queen  Alexandra  in  commemoration  of  their  visit  to  the 
island  on  29th  August  1902.  The  Holly,  though  growing 
naturally  in  exposed  situations,  produces  berries  in  any 
quantity  only  in  sheltered  places  about  Kiloran  woods.  The 
Common  Laurel  (Prunus  lauro-cerasus)  is  one  of  the  most 
valuable  evergreens,  readily  breaking  into  growth  after  it  is 
cut  back.  The  Portugal  Laurel  (P.  lusitanicus},  though 
beautiful  in  the  young  state,  has  not  lasted  so  well  as  the 


WOODS,  LOCHS,  AND   PASTURES         75 

Common  Laurel.  The  Sweet  Bay  or  Bay  Laurel  (Laurus 
nobilis),  from  which  the  laurel  wreaths  were  made  by  the 
ancients,  also  succeeds  well.  Escallonia  macrantha,  intro- 
duced by  Messrs  Veitch's  collector  William  Lobb  from  Chili 
in  1847,  has  proved  a  most  desirable  acquisition  to  the  local 
list  of  evergreens,  growing  into  good-sized  bushes  and 
forming  large  expansive  hedges.  It  combines  glossy  foliage 
with  a  profusion,  in  early  spring,  of  rose-carmine  flowers, 
and  a  dense  habit  of  growth.  Kegarded  on  the  mainland  as 
a  tender  shrub  (and  here,  too,  plants  have  been  cut  down 
in  severe  winters),  it  is  found  growing  in  quantity  only  in 
the  south-western  counties  of  England,  where  the  flowers  are 
sold  to  visitors  at  watering-places.  Propagation  is  readily 
effected  by  layers.  Aucuba  japonica  (the  best  evergreen  for 
smoky  towns)  in  its  variegated  form,  Laurustinus  (Viburnum 
Tinus),  the  Holm  or  Evergreen  Oak  (Quercus  Ilex),  and 
Mahonia  (Berberis  Aquifolium)  suit  the  climate.  Kinds  of 
Euonymus  with  variegated  leaves  make  pretty  objects  in 
sheltered  situations.  Cotoneasters  do  well  in  exposed 
positions.  Veronica  speci'osa,  an  attractive  evergreen  from 
Van  Diemen's  Land,  bearing  numerous  spikes  of  mauve- 
coloured  flowers  in  the  depth  of  winter,  and  V.  salicifolia, 
now  springing  up  in  places  spontaneously  from  seed,  are  other 
desirable  though  old-fashioned  subjects.  Aralia  (Fatsia) 
japonica  has  proved  hardy  in  the  shrubbery,  and  its  large, 
glossy  leaves  make  it  a  valuable  evergreen  shrub.  In  1908 
one  specimen  bloomed  profusely,  and  remained  in  flower  from 
the  end  of  autumn  till  the  new  year.  Desfontainea  spinosay 
another  of  W.  Lobb's  introductions  from  Chili  (1850), 
Chamcerops  Fortunei,  a  Chinese  Palm,  and  a  species  of 
Yucca  which  flowered  freely  in  1907,  and  is  now  12  feet 
in  height  with  a  stem  1|  foot  in  girth  (3  feet  from  the 
ground),  have  been  growing  out  of  doors  for  years.  After 
flowering,  the  head  of  the  Yucca  divided  into  three  shoots. 
Deciduous. — The  most  showy  of  those  introduced  include 


76  COLONSAY 

Lilac,  Laburnum,  Mock  Orange,  Weigela,  shrubby  Spiraeas, 
and  Deutzias.  The  Snowberry  spreads  rapidly  in  sheltered 
places  and  is  suitable  for  shady  situations,  and  the  Flowering 
Currant  (Ribes  sanguineum)  has  been  found  growing  spon- 
taneously in  the  woods.  Fuchsia  Riccartoni  grows  into  large 
shrubs,  but  it  has  been  cut  down  by  frost  in  severe  winters. 
Hydrangeas  are  a  feature,  a  row  on  the  east  side  of  a  Haw- 
thorn hedge  near  the  mansion-house  producing  in  an  average 
season  hundreds  of  huge  corymbs  of  blossom  in  white,  pink, 
and  blue  shades.  The  Lemon  -  scented  Verbena  (Lippia 
citriodora)  developed  stems  3|  inches  in  diameter  and  11£ 
inches  in  girth.  These  measurements  are  of  one  of  a  few 
stems  from  the  same  plant,  a  seventeen  years'  growth,  killed 
<lown  to  the  ground  during  the  severe  winter  1894-5. 

Conifers  look  well  in  the  young  state,  but  they  do  not  last. 
As  they  increase  in  height  and  their  heads  become  exposed 
to  the  winds  they  gradually  succumb.  For  ornamental 
purposes,  Cupressus  Laicsoniana,  raised  from  seed  sent  from 
Vancouver  about  twenty-eight  years  ago,  has  proved  the 
most  valuable  of  the  conifers  yet  introduced.  C.  macrocarpa, 
from  the  same  source,  is  developing  rapidly  into  large  trees. 
Araucaria  imbricata  (Monkey  Puzzle),  Cedrus  Deodar  a 
•(Deodor  or  Indian  Cedar),  Pinus  excelsa  (Bhotan  Pine), 
Picea  Pindrow,  P.  excelsa  (Common  Spruce),  and  Juniperus 
.recurva  are  among  those  that  have  been  planted,  with  more 
or  less  satisfactory  results  during  the  earlier  stages  of  their 
.growth. 

Lochs. — Besides  the  two  principal  lochs  described  below, 
there  are  others  in  the  island  of  smaller  size,  e.g.  Loch  Colla 
(7£  acres),  Dubh-loch,  Loch-na-Sguid,  Lochan-a-Bhraghad, 
Loch-a-Eaonabuilg,  Fionn  Loch,  Lochan  Breac,  etc.  Most 
of  the  lochs  have  considerable  areas  of  marshy  land  along 
their  margins.  A  few  years  ago,  Trout  from  Loch  Fada 
were  placed  in  Loch-na-Sguid  by  a  visitor  staying  at  the 


WOODS,  LOCHS,  AND   PASTURES        77 

hotel,  and  these  appear  to  have  multiplied.  With  the  excep- 
tion perhaps  of  Eels,  the  others  named  are  destitute  of  fish. 

Loch  Fada,  the  largest  sheet  of  fresh  water  in  the  island, 
and  cutting  through  about  half  its  breadth  almost  due  east  and 
west,  is  14-  miles  in  length,  averaging  less  than  ^  mile  in 
width.  It  is  about  124  feet  above  sea-level,  and  divided 
naturally  into  three  divisions,  each  beaiing  a  local  name — 
Locha-na-Pairce  Duibh  (east  loch),  Locha  Meadhoin  or  Locha 
Gortain  Artair  (middle  loch),  and  Locha  'n  lar  (west  loch). 
The  public  way  is  carried  over  between  the  east  and 
middle  divisions  at  "an  Deabhadh."  Although  the  road 
was  formed  there  nearly  fifty  years  ago,  and  much  material 
was  carted  in  at  the  time  and  since,  to  give  it  a  firm 
bottom,  it  is  still  sinking.  The  out-going  stream,  which  finds 
its  exit  into  the  sea  at  Kiloran  Bay,  is  from  the  north  side  of 
the  east  loch.  The  water  is  of  a  more  or  less  brown,  peaty 
nature,  and  well  stocked  with  Trout.  There  are  considerable 
stretches  of  flat,  marshy  land  on  the  north  side,  while  the 
southern  margin  along  the  base  of  the  hills  is  frequently 
rocky.  The  deepest  spot  found  (about  25  feet)  is  near  Rudha 
Choilich  in  the  west  division  :  few  places,  however,  exceed 
10  feet  in  depth.  Along  the  shallow  margins  of  both  sides 
of  the  middle  loch  the  decaying  stems  and  roots  of  numerous 
trees  are  still  to  be  seen.  They  are  locally  regarded  as  species 
of  Bog  Oak,  but  Mr  S.  Grieve  records  in  addition  (see  Proc. 
Soc.  Ant.  Scot,  1882-3,  p.  360)  the  finding  of  immense 
stumps  of  Goat  Willow  (Salix  caprcea,  L.)  along  the  shores 
of  the  loch.  Nuts,  presumably  acorus,  were  commonly 
found  by  persons  cutting  peat  in  the  neighbourhood. 

The  three  commonest  and  most  conspicuous  plants  of  the 
lochs  are  the  White  Water  Lily,  Common  Reed,  and  Bottle 
Sedge,  forming,  in  places,  three  more  or  less  well-marked 
zones  of  vegetation.  The  Water  Lily,  during  the  flowering 
season  in  early  summer,  with  its  fresh  green  setting  of  reeds, 
makes  a  pretty  display.  Scirpus  lacustris  is  mostly  found 


78  COLONSAY 

on  the  rocky  southern  side,  while  Cladium  Mariscus  is  more 
abundant  at  the  east  end.  Litorella  uniflora,  Juncus  bulbosus 
(in  a  variety  of  shade  and  form),  Myriophyllum  alternifolium, 
Potentilla  palusiris,  Menyanthes  trifoliata,  besides  other 
marsh  and  aquatic  plants,  are  common  along  the  shallow 
water  and  marshy  ground  at  the  edges.  Beyond  the  reed 
zone  the  water  suddenly  deepens,  and  this  on  more  than  one 
occasion  has  given  an  unexpected  ducking  to  the  unwary 
juvenile  hunter  after  water-fowls'  eggs.  This  part  might  well 
have  formed  the  banks  of  the  original  lake,  when  the  water 
stood  much  below  its  present  level  and  the  trees  whose  de- 
caying remains  now  lie  under  water  reared  their  leafy  heads 
over  dry  land. 

Callitriche  autumnaUs,  Potamogeton  pusillus,  etc.,  driven 
ashore  in  windy  weather  or  torn  up  by  water-fowl,  indicate 
to  some  extent  the  curious  and  interesting  vegetation  that 
develops  under  the  placid  waters  of  the  deeper  part  of  the 
loch.  The  plants  in  the  following  list  were  obtained  by 
dragging  from  the  loch  boats,  and  identified,  along  with  those 
from  Loch  Sgoltaire,  by  Mr  Arthur  Bennett,  F.L.S.  During 
dragging  operations  large  masses  of  Callitriche  autumnaUs 
and  Potamogeton  several  feet  in  length  were  brought  to 
the  surface. 

Callitriche  autumnaUs.  Utricularia  neglecta. 

Potamogeton  perfoliatus.  Naias  flexilis. 

pusilhis.  Myriophyllum  alternifolium. 
, ,         var.  tennis-       Sparganium  minimum, 

simus  ?  Juncus  supinus,  var .  fiuitans. 

heterophyllus,  Litorella  uniflora. ' 

Sturrockii.  Charafragilis. 

nitens,  , ,      vulgaris. 

filiformis.  , ,      aspera. 

Elatine  hexandra.  Nitella  opaca. 

Utricularia  minor.  Ranunculus  Drouetii. 

The  loch  lies  in  an  old  valley  which,  at  a  remote  period, 
had  been  blocked  in  on  its  western  end  by  the  throwing  up 


WOODS,   LOCHS,  AND  PASTURES        79 

by  the  sea  of  the  great  shingle  bar  at  Druim  Clach, 
belonging  to  the  highest  of  the  raised  beaches  and  now 
forming  the  site  of  several  of  the  most  fertile  crofts  of 
Kilchattan.  It  may  be  taken  for  granted,  however,  that 
this  did  not  occur  after  the  submerged  trees  grew.  The 
lake  must  have  been  already  formed  when  the  trees  grew 
along  its  margin.  The  cause  of  the  submergence  of  the  trees 
is  extremely  doubtful.  As  far  as  investigations  have  gone, 
there  is  no  evidence  to  show  that  they  extend  more  than 
a  few  feet  below  the  surface,  and  it  is  possible  that  the 
mere  growth  of  peat  at  Kiloran  might  have  closed  up 
the  outlet  and  so  submerged  them.  It  is,  however,  well 
to  remember  that  a  similar  submergence  of  trees  has 
been  proved  in  many  Norwegian  lakes  in  cases  where 
the  level  of  the  outlet  of  the  lake  cannot  have  changed, 
and  it  is  supposed  that  the  forests  grew  at  a  time  when 
the  climate  was  much  drier  and  the  level  of  the  lake 
consequently  lower.  Such  may  have  easily  been  the  case 
with  Loch  Fada. 

Loch  Sgoltaire  is  a  triangular-shaped,  islet-studded  loch 
about  26  acres  in  extent  and  lying  at  an  elevation  of  200 
feet.  The  name  is  derived  from  the  Gaelic  Sgoilte  (cleft), 
in  reference,  doubtless,  to  the  apparent  cleavage  of  the 
hills  where  the  loch  is  situated.  Evidently  its  origin  is 
totally  different  from  that  of  Loch  Fada,  and  the  hollow  in 
which  its  waters  now  repose  may  very  probably  be  due  to 
the  scooping  power,  during  glacial  times,  of  the  great  ice- 
sheet  that  passed  westwards  over  Colonsay  from  the  mainland. 
The  greatest  depth  (50-60  feet)  is  at  the  narrow  apex  towards 
the  north-east  end.  The  bottom  is  generally  rocky,  and  the 
depth  becomes  less  as  the  loch  widens  out  westward.  The 
loch  has  a  natural  outlet  at  both  ends,  the  water  from  the 
east  or  Bealach-a-Mhuilinn  end  being  formerly  utilised  for 
driving  a  muileann-dubh,  while  the  overflow  water  from  the 
west  end  provides  the  motive-power  for  the  corn-mill  at 


80  COLONSAY 

Kiloran.  The  water  is  pure  and  good,  and  the  loch  forms 
the  source  of  water-supply  for  the  mansion-house.  It  is 
said  that  the  Trout  which  inhabit  it  rival  in  excellence  the 
far-famed  Loch  Leven  Trout. 

The  hills  surrounding  the  loch  dip  rather  suddenly  down 
to  the  water's  edge,  except  at  the  west  end,  where  there  is 
marshy  ground.  The  margins  are  usually  rocky  and  stony, 
with,  consequently,  an  absence  of  vegetation  such  as  is  to  be 
seen  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Loch  Fada.  The  following 
plants  were  obtained  by  dragging  from  the  boat  in  the 
beginning  of  August,  Callitriche  autumnalis  and  Potamogeton 
heterophyllus  being  particularly  abundant : — 

Potamogeton  Sturrockii.  Nitella  translucens. 

,,          perfoliatus.  Callitriche  autumnalis. 

,,  heterophyllus.  Myriophyllum  spicatum. 

,,  gramincefolius.  ,,  alternifolium. 

Chara  fragilis.  Litorella  uniftora. 

The  loch  is  studded  with  some  small  islets — Eilean  Beag, 
Eilean  Dubh  nam  B6,  Eilean  Dubh  Iain  Mhitchel.  The 
largest,  which  is  wooded,  is  surmounted  by  the  ruins  of  an 
old  fort,  consisting  of  an  inner  and  an  outer  work  still  in  a 
fair  state  of  preservation.  Although  of  some  thickness,  the 
walls  are  but  flimsily  built  of  thin  flaggy  stones.  The  local 
tradition  that  the  fort  was  built  by  Sir  James  M 'Donald, 
after  his  escape  from  confinement  in  Edinburgh  Castle,  is 
confirmed  by  Gregory  in  his  History  of  the  Western 
Highlands,  page  372,  where  the  following  passage  occurs  : — 
"About  the  18th  of  June  (1615),  Sir  James  arrived  at  the 
Isle  of  Colonsay  with  several  hundred  men,  and  there  killed 
a  number  of  cattle  for  provisions.  While  here  he  built  a 
fort  on  a  small  island  in  a  fresh-water  loch."  The  fort  had 
been  approached  from  the  northern  shore,  where  the  loch  is 
not  so  deep,  by  a  submerged  path  in  an  ingenious  manner. 
Large  slabs  of  stone  were  piled  at  intervals  on  the  top  of 
each  other  in  the  deeper  places ;  and  the  defenders,  who- 


WOODS,  LOCHS,  AND   PASTURES        81 

knew  the  direction  of  these  steps,  were  able,  with  the  help  of 
staves,  to  cross  and  recross  with  safety. 

Surface  vegetation,  Loch-a-Raonabuilg,  13th  August 
1908:— 

(1)  A  band  of  White  Water  Lily  surrounds  a  central  oval 
space  of  deep  water  (probably  with  submerged  plants)  about 
£  acre  in  area;  (2)  a  zone  of  Eeeds ;  (3)  mixed  vegetation 
at  the  edges,  including  Carex  inflata,  Potentilla  palustris, 
Menyanthes  trifoliata,  Cladiwn  Mariscus,  Mentha  aquatica, 
Juncus  acutiflorus,  Agrostis  alba,  Myric.a  Gale,  Sphagnum, 
and  other  mosses. 

Carex  lasiocarpa  is  abundant  at  the  margin  of  Loch-na- 
Sgiiid. 

Pastures. — The  bulk  of  the  grassy  pastures  and  the  arable 
land  lies  between  sea-level  and  250  feet  elevation.  From 
250  to  350  feet  (roughly)  there  is  a  good  deal  of  bushy  sedge 
and  rush-covered  ground  and  areas  of  heathy  moor.  Above 
350  feet  the  hills,  with  the  exception  of  those  of  phyllite 
formation,  which  have  grassy  patches  up  to  their  summits, 
are  clothed  with  heather.  Slopes  covered  with  heather 
down  to  the  rocky  shores  are  to  be  seen  on  the  east  side 
of  the  northern  part  of  the  island. 

Three  well-marked  zones  of  vegetation  may  again  be 
observed  over  smaller  areas  in  the  hilly  pastures :  (a)  heather- 
covered  hill-tops,  (&)  grassy  slopes,  and  (c)  bushy,  often 
marshy,  hollows  overgrown  with  Juncus  acutiflorus,  species 
of  Carex,  Molinia,  Agrostis,  Erica  tetralix,  Myrica  Gale, 
Salix,  etc.  More  frequently  the  grassy  zone  is  wanting, 
or  is  confined  to  small  patches  with  herbage  in  varying 
proportions,  according  as  the  ground  is  well  drained  or 
not,  of  Festuca  ovina,  Nardus  stricta,  Juncus  squarrosus, 
Carex  linervis,  Carex  flacca,  Molinia,  etc.  The  heather  in 
heathy  parts  is  often  mixed  with  Carex  binervis,  Scirpus 
ccespitosus,  Molinia,  Luzula,  Anthoxanthiim  odoratum,  etc. ; 


82  COLONSAY 

certain  species  preponderating  to  a  greater  degree  in  certain 
situations  than  in  others,  every  hill-side  presenting  consider- 
able variety  in  species,  and  more  so  in  the  frequency  with 
which  the  species  occur. 

There  is  reason  to  believe  that  grassy  pastures,  during  the 
last  half-century,  have  decreased  in  area  and  deteriorated  in 
quality  as  regards  the  composition  of  the  herbage.  What 
within  living  memory  was  greensward  has  now  in  many 
places  a  permanent  covering  of  heather,  or  is,  in  summer, 
.adorned  with  fronds  of  the  ubiquitous  bracken.  The 
heather  is  slowly  but  surely  spreading  over  the  lower 
hillocks  and  slopes.  Much  of  the  most  porous  and  best- 
drained  land,  through  which  its  thick  rhizomes  can  easily 
penetrate,  is  overrun  by  the  bracken.  The  aesthetic  value 
to  the  landscape  of  its  summer  green  and  its  autumn  tints 
is  more  than  outweighed  by  its  debilitating  effect  on  the 
attenuated  herbage  underneath. 

The  herbage  in  the  majority  of  the  pastures,  whether  well 
•drained  or  not,  has  a  foundation,  often  dense,  of  moss — an 
undesirable  product  of  a  too  moist  climate.  A  few  fields  on 
the  boulder  clay  have  been  noticed  where  this  form  of 
vegetation  is  only  present  in  comparatively  small  quantities. 
Animals  cannot  help  grazing  it  along  with  the  other  herbage, 
but  it  is  avowedly  bad  for  them  and  difficult  to  digest. 
Hypnum  squarrosum,  Hypnum  splendens,  Barbula  ruralis, 
.are  among  the  common  species. 

Influence  of  Sheep  on  Pastures. — Although  it  has  not  been 
directly  proved  that  sheep  have  actually  exterminated  a  single 
species  of  plant,  there  is  evidence  to  show  that  they  have  to 
a  certain  extent  upset  the  balance  of  nature,  and  aided  in  the 
preponderance  of  certain  kinds  over  others,  the  coarsest  and 
least  valuable  over  the  finest  and  most  nutritious.  With 
•their  narrow  noses  and  sharp  teeth,  sheep  nibble  the  finer 
•grasses  and  herbage  close  to  the  ground,  and  in  the  perpetual 
struggle  for  supremacy  that  is  silently  but  constantly  going 


WOODS,  LOCHS,  AND  PASTURES        83 

on  in  the  vegetable  world,  these  are  gradually  being  exter- 
minated and  replaced  by  the  stronger  herbage.  It  is  a 
matter  of  common  knowledge  that  the  White  or  Dutch 
Clover  is  not  nearly  so  abundant  as  it  used  to  be.  The 
Heath  Vetch,  formerly  a  well-known  plant  of  the  hill-sides, 
is  now  confined  to  ledges  and  other  more  or  less  inaccessible 
situations.  Even  the  hardy  Hazel,  where  it  used  to  be 
common  is  represented  by  but  a  few  scrubby  bushes.  It 
may  be  remarked,  however,  that  although  isolated  headlands, 
islets,  and  other  places  inaccessible  to  grazing  animals  were 
examined,  no  species  were  found  which  were  not  seen  in 
other  parts  of  the  island. 

Mixed  stock  graze  the  rough  pastures  more  economically 
and  more  evenly  than  when  only  one  kind  of  animal  is 
allowed  to  run  over  them.  Cattle  do  not  eat  the  herbage  as 
close  as  sheep,  and  they  eat  more  of  the  rough  with  the  fine. 
Sheep,  on  the  other  hand,  eat  certain  plants — Buttercup, 
Hardhead,  Ragwort,  etc. — which  cattle  dislike ;  and  horses, 
besides  showing  a  partiality  to  plants  which  neither  cows 
nor  sheep  eat,  graze  the  rank  herbage  on  which  cattle  have 
left  their  manure,  and  which  is  passed  over  by  cattle  them- 
selves. Goats,  again,  eat  many  plants  and  certain  lichens 
(Feusag  liath,  etc.)  which  are  not  touched  by  other  domestic 
animals. 

COMMON  PLANTS  EATEN  BY  CERTAIN  ANIMALS  ONLY 
(From  Withering's  English  Botany) 

Spearwort  (Glas-leun).  Horses  eat  it ;  cows,  sheep,  goats, 
and  swine  refuse  it. 

Corn  Spurry  (Carran).  Horses,  sheep,  goats,  and  swine 
eat  it ;  cows  refuse  it. 

Tormentil  (Braonan  a'  Mhadaidh  ruaidh).  Cows,  sheep, 
and  goats  eat  it ;  horses  refuse  it. 

Silverweed  (am  Brisgean).  Horses,  cows,  goats,  and 
swine  eat  it ;  sheep  refuse  it. 


84  COLONSAY 

Daisy  (Ne6inean).     Horses,  cows,  and  sheep  refuse  it. 
Colt's-foot  (Gallan  Greanach).     Goats  and  sheep  eat  it ; 
cows  are  fond  of  it :  horses  refuse  it. 

Certain  plants,  e.g.  seashore  and  bog  plants,  cornfield 
weeds,  etc.,  are  confined  more  or  less  to  certain  situations, 
and  need  hardly  be  looked  for  elsewhere.  Some — Louse  - 
wort,  Orchis,  Bitter  Flax,  etc. — indicate  poor  pastures ;  others 
— and  these  are  important  for  the  agriculturist  to  know, 
as  they  can  be  controlled  by  drainage — the  state  of  the 
ground  as  regards  moisture.  In  dry  situations  Leguminosae, 
Rosacese  Composite,  Ericaceae,  Scrophulariacese,  Plantaginese, 
Gramineae,  Filices,  etc.,  are  largely  represented;  while 
the  prevalence  of  Ranunculacese,  Lythraceee,  Umbelliferse, 
Polygonacese,  Juncaceae,  and  Cyperacese  may  point  to  opposite 
conditions. 

COMMON  PLANTS  INDICATING 
WELL-DRAINED  SITUATIONS  WET  GROUND 

High  Ground. 

Fine-leaved  Heath.  Cross-leaved  Heath. 

Bracken.  Sharp-flowered  Jointed  Rush. 

Fescues.  Sedges. 

Wood  Rushes.  Common,    Spike,   Club, 

and  Bog  Rushes. 

Wild  Strawberry.  Bog  Pimpernel. 

Milkwort.  Bog  Starwort. 

Sweet  Vernal  Grass.  Purple  Melic-grass. 

Low  Ground. 

Spear  Thistle.  Marsh  Thistle. 

Ragwort.  Bog  Ragwort. 

Foxglove.  Ragged  Robin. 

Daisy.  Purple  Loosestrife. 

Meadow  Foxtail.  Marsh  Foxtail. 

Fine  Bent-grass.  Marsh  Bent-grass. 


WOODS,  LOCHS,  AXD   PASTURES        85 

Cultivated  Ground. 

Corn  Woundwort.  Marsh  Woundwort. 

Sow-thistles.  Knotweeds. 

Mustards.  Blinks. 

Oat-grass.  Bent-grass. 

Dead-nettle.  Toad-rush. 


THE    FLORA1 

IN  addition  to  a  numberless  host  of  spore-bearing  plants 
(it  is  said  that  there  are  40,000  kinds  of  fungi  alone),  more 
than  100,000  species  of  flowering  plants,  from  all  parts  of  the 
world,  are  now  known  to  science.  Investigations  into  regions 
not  previously  fully  explored  are  still  adding  to  the  number. 

Over  2000  species  (besides  varieties)  of  flowering  plants 
and  vascular  cryptogams,  grouped  into  97  natural  orders, 
are  enumerated  in  the  latest  (tenth)  edition  of  the  London 
Catalogue  of  British  Plants.  A  careful  computation  by  the 
writer  of  plant  records,  furnished  by  Mr  Arthur  Bennett, 
F.L.S.,  has  resulted  in  a  total  of  900  species  of  flowering 
plants  and  vascular  cryptogams  for  the  whole  of  the 
"Western  Isles. 

The  Colonsay  list  of  plants,  including  Messrs  Grieve, 
Miller,  and  Somerville's  records,  now  amounts  to  580 
species  and  70  varieties  of  flowering  plants,  ferns,  and  fern- 
allies.  The  proportion  of  varieties  to  species  in  the  latest 
edition  of  the  London  Catalogue  is,  roughly,  3:5;  in  the  local 
list,  1:8.  Without  considering  a  quota  of  common  kinds 
possibly  still  overlooked,  it  is  very  probable  that  the  island, 
as  a  "  field  "  for  the  critical  botanist,  is  not  yet  exhausted. 

Martin,    in   the   account   he   gives   of   Colonsay   in   his 

1  Head  (in  part)  before  the  Botanical  Society  of  Edinburgh  at  their 
meeting  on  10th  June  1909. 


THE  FLORA  -      87 

description  of  the  Western  Isles,  1695,  mentions  that  "the 
middle  is  rocky  and  heathy,  which  in  most  places  is  prettily 
mingled  with  thick  evergreens  of  Erica  baccifera,  Juniper, 
and  Cat's-tail." 

Lightfoot  accompanied  Pennant  to  the  island  in  July  1772, 
and  remained  on  it  for  several  days.  In  his  Flora  Scotica, 
which  appeared  five  years  later,  Lightfoot  records  six  plants 
(Carum  carui,  Convolvulus  soldanella,  Schlerochloa  maritima, 
Bromus  arvensis,  Carex  arenaria,  Triticum  junceum)  from 
Oransay,  and  four  (Orchis  pyramidalis,  Gymnadenia  albida, 
Habenaria  viridis,  Osmunda  regalis)hom Colonsay ;  he  having, 
no  doubt,  intentionally  omitted  all  the  commoner  kinds. 

The  first  systematic  investigation  of  the  flora  of  Colonsay 
was  made  by  Mr  Symington  Grieve  in  1879-81.  The  results 
of  Mr  Grieve's  researches  are  embodied  in  two  interesting 
papers  read  before  the  Edinburgh  Botanical  Society  in  April 
1880  and  in  July  1881,  and  afterwards  published  in  the 
Transactions  of  the  Society,  vol.  xiv.,  1883,  pp.  66,  219. 
About  350  species  of  flowering  plants  and  vascular  crypto- 
gams, besides  mosses,  are  included  in  Mr  Grieve's  lists. 

During  a  brief  stay  in  the  island  from  3rd  to  5th  August 
1886,  Mr  W.  F.  Miller  found  about  265  species  and 
varieties,  most  of  which  had  been  previously  noted.  There 
were  some  new  records  for  V.C.  102.  A  short  notice  with 
reference  to  this  visit  afterwards  appeared  in  the  Journal 
of  Botany,  1886,  p.  308. 

While  staying  at  Machrins  House  in  July  and  August 
1906,  the  late  Mr  Alexander  Somerville,  B.Sc.,  F.L.S.,  took  a 
keen  interest  in  the  local  flora.  During  a  prolonged  residence 
in  the  island  the  writer  had  made  extensive  collections  of 
native  plants,  which  were  examined  by  Mr  Somerville,  and, 
with  new  records  of  his  own  he  was  able,  before  his 
departure,  to  raise  the  list  to  about  500  species  and 
varieties,  including  previous  collectors'  records.  The  most 
interesting  finds  of  the  season  were  the  Eock  Samphire  and 


88  COLONSAY 

the  Marsh  Helleborine  Orchis,  then  practically  two  new 
additions  to  the  flora  of  the  West  of  Scotland.  A  paper  by 
Mr  Somerville  on  the  finding  of  these  plants  was  afterwards 
read  before  the  Edinburgh  Field  Naturalists'  and  Micro- 
scopical Society,  and  before  the  Natural  History  Society  of 
Glasgow.  His  subsequent  illness  and  lamented  death 
prevented  the  completion  of  his  intended  paper  on  additions 
to  the  flora  of  Colonsay.  The  writer  records  with  gratitude 
his  indebtedness  to  the  deceased  gentleman  for  much  kindly 
assistance  in  the  earlier  stages  of  this  work  :  his  enthusiasm 
for  botany,  latterly  his  favourite  pursuit,  was  inspiring. 

Local  Distribution  of  Plants. — The  particular  situations  to 
which  certain  plants  are  confined  is  not,  perhaps,  a  more 
striking  feature  in  their  local  distribution  than  the  indis- 
criminate manner  in  which  others  seem  to  be  scattered 
throughout  the  island.  Unlike  the  loftier  of  the  islands, 
the  elevation  (500  feet)  is  not  sufficiently  great  to  affect 
perceptibly  the  distribution  of  plants,  the  same  species 
frequently  growing  both  at  sea-level  and  on  the  summits 
of  the  hills.  Many  plants  which  are  affected  by  exposure 
— trees,  etc. — are  only  to  be  seen  in  sheltered  positions, 
more  commonly  on  the  eastern  half  of  the  island.  Others 
— Chickweed,.  Cleavers,  Sow-thistle,  Herb  Robert,  Dock, 
Silverweed,  Stonecrop,  etc. — are  found  growing  down  to 
high-water  mark  and  in  various  situations  inland.  Some  of 
the  commonest  sea-rock  plants — Sea-pink,  Sea  Plantain,  Sea 
Spleenwort,  and  Sea  Campion — reappear  on  rocks  near  the 
centre  of  the  island.  Though  many  species — Willows,  Grasses 
(Agrostis  alba,  etc.),  Sedges  (Car ex  Goodenotvti,  etc.),  Am- 
phibious Buckwheat,  Dock,  etc.,  seem  to  be  equally  well 
at  home  in  very  marshy  and  in  comparatively  dry  situations, 
the  most  important  factor  locally  affecting  the  distribution 
of  plants,  nevertheless,  is  the  condition  of  the  ground  as 
regards  drainage.  From  the  geological  formation  it  is  seen 


THE  FLORA  89 

that  ihe  crust  of  the  island  is  formed  of  hard  rock,  imper- 
meable to  moisture.  It  is  covered  with  a  shallow  layer  of 
soil,  in  many  places  not  more  than  a  few  inches  in  depth. 
The  rain  that  falls,  instead  of  percolating  downwards  as  it 
would  do  if  the  understratum  were  pervious,  runs  along 
the  surface  of  the  rock,  or  lies  in  natural  basins,  forming 
marshy  ground.  The  water  from  such  situations  does  not 
drain  away,  but  is  mainly  carried  off  by  evaporation — a  slow 
process,  resulting  in  much  loss  of  heat  to  the  ground. 

Owing  to  the  proportionately  large  extent  of  coast-line  in 
comparison  with  the  inland  area,  seashore  plants  form,  as 
might  be  expected,  an  important  element  of  the  island 
flora.  The  northern  shore-line,  with  the  exception  of 
Kiloran  Bay  and  the  vicinity,  is  almost  wholly  rocky,  with 
characteristic  sea-rock  plants.  Salt-marshes,  sandy  and  shingly 
bays,  alternate  \vith  rocky  promontories  round  the  southern 
half  of  the  island.  Shore  pools  are  frequent  on  the  western 
shore,  and  are  inhabited  by  curious  plants — species  of  Toly- 
pella,  Euppia,  Chara,  Potamogeton,  etc. — with  a  decided 
preference  for  brackish  water. 

Characteristic  Plants  of  the  Shore 

Plants  of  the  Sea- rocks. — Ligusticum  scoticum,  Spergu- 
laria  rupestris,  Crithmum  maritimum  (rare),  Beta  maritima 
{rare).  Asplenium  marinum,  Sedum  roseurn,  Silene  maritima, 
and  Statice  maritima,  though  abundant  on  the  sea-rocks,  are 
occasionally  found  growing  in  other  situations. 

Plants  of  the  Sandy  Shore.  —  Salsola  Kali,  Atriplex 
laciniata,  Cakile  maritima,  Eryngium  maritimum  (rare). 

Plants  of  the  Salt-marsh. — Salicornia  herbacea,  Suceda 
maritima,  Triglochin  maritimum,  Juncus  Gerardi,  Scirpus 
maritimus,  Glyceria  maritima,  Carex  vulpina,  etc. 

The  presence  or  absence  of  lime  is  one  of  the  most 
important  particulars  in  which  petrology  affects  the  distribu- 


90  COLONSAY 

tion  of  plants.  Though  the  outcrop  of  the  limestone  rock 
is  restricted  to  such  small  areas  that,  as  a  factor  in  plant 
distribution,  it  might  be  thought  hardly  worth  considering, 
yet  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  certain  alleged  lime-loving 
plants — e.g.,  Carlina  vulgaris,  Orchis  pyramidalis,  Avena 
pubescens,  Thalictrum  minus,  Phyllitis  Scolopendrum,  Anthyl- 
lis .  Vulneraria — have  been  found  growing  in  the  vicinity. 
The  neighbourhood  is  the  principal  station  for  Arabis  hirsuta* 
and  Sisymbrium  Thalianum,  a  plant  showing  locally  a 
partiality  for  old  lime-built  walls,  has  also  been  found  here. 
Comminuted  shells  supply  to  the  sandy  soil  of  the  districts 
bordering  the  sea  an  abundance  of  lime,  and  provide  a 
suitable  growing  medium  for  such  calcicole  plants  as  Orchis 
pyramidalis,  Gentiana  Amarella,  and  possibly  others  of  a 
lime-loving  nature. 

The  irregular  surface  of  the  island,  with  its  great  variety 
of  soils,  is  such  as  to  provide  situations,  within  a  small  area, 
suitable  for  many  kinds  of  plants.  In  the  bogs,  the  con- 
sistency of  the  ground  may  vary  in  the  compass  of  a  few 
square  yards  from  a  quaking  quagmire  to  firm  peat,  each 
kind  of  situation  supporting  different  kinds  of  plants. 
Plants  of  the  Marshy  Area  (Balanahard  bogs)— Potentilla 
palustris,  Phragmites  communis,  Ranunculus  Flammula, 
Menyanfhes  trifoliata,  Lytlirum  Salicaria,  Juncus  acutiflorns, 
Agrostis  alba,  Carex  Goodenowii,  etc.  Firmer  ground — 
Eriophorum  angustifolium,  Erica  Tetralix,  Molinia  varia, 
Narthecium  ossifragum,  Scabiosa  Succisa,  Potentilla  erecta, 
Carex  flacca,  etc. 

Plants  on  Circumscribed  Areas  growing  together 
Shingly  Shore  (Meall-a-Chuilbh,  at  high-water  mark). — 
Cnicus   lanceolatus,  Sedum   anglicum,   Potentilla   Anserina, 
Carex  arenaria,   Geranium  molle,  Rumex  crispus,  Plantago 
Goronopus,  Matricaria  inodora,  Geranium  Robertianum. 
Cliffs    (Dreis-an-t-Sealgair,    north    shore).  —  Ligusticum 


THE  FLORA  91 

scoticum,  Dactylis,  Festuca,  Lonicera  Periclymenum,  Rubus, 
Angelica  sylvestris. 

Shore  Turf  (Creagan).  —  Carex  binervis,  C.flacca,  Plantago 
maritima,  Statice  maritima,  Glaux  maritima,  Cochlearia, 
Festuca,  Lotus  corniculatus,  Potentilla  Anserina. 

Blown  Sands  (Balanahard  Bay).  —  Lotus  corniculatus, 
Sedum  anglicum,  Er  odium  cicatarium,  Veronica  Chamcedrys, 
Viola  Riviniana,  Hieracium  Pilosella,  Galium  verum, 
Thymus  Serpyllum. 

Gaelic  Names.  —  About  200  of  the  local  Gaelic  names 
have  been  collected,  and  are  here  included.  Some  confusion 
exists  as  to  the  species  to  which  certain  names  apply.  In 
such  cases  the  names  given  by  the  older  persons,  who  had  used 
the  plants  or  known  them  to  have  been  used  for  particular 
purposes,  are  adhered  to.  It  has  not  been  ascertained  with 
certainty  to  what  plants  certain  names  (Luibh-an-Fhoclain, 
Lus-na-Miadh,  Fionndfhuirneach,  etc.)  locally  refer. 

Uses.  —  In  the  olden  days  many  of  the  plants  found  locally 
were  put  to  medicinal  and  other  uses  ;  but  the  generation 
which  so  used  the  plants  has  gone  the  way  of  all  flesh,  and 
the  information  now  to  be  obtained  is  consequently  of  a 
fragmentary  nature.  Had  this  work  been  attempted  fifty 
years  ago,  it  would  doubtless  have  been  attended  with  a 
much  greater  measure  of  success.  Such  information  as 
could  be  gleaned  from  the  older  inhabitants  is  noted  in 
the  following  pages.  It  may  be  mentioned  here  that  in 
the  preparation  of  ointments,  etc.,  the  herbs  were  pounded 
between  stones,  as  contact  with  iron  or  steel  was  believed 
to  exercise  a  deleterious  effect  on  the  properties  of  the 
plants. 

EXPLANATORY 


With  few  exceptions,  the  nomenclature  of  the  tenth  edition 
of  the  London  Catalogue  of  British  Plants  has  been  adhered 


90  COLONSAY 

tion  of  plants.  Though  the  outcrop  of  the  limestone  rock 
is  restricted  to  such  small  areas  that,  as  a  factor  in  plant 
distribution,  it  might  be  thought  hardly  worth  considering, 
yet  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  certain  alleged  lime-loving 
plants — e.g.,  Carlina  vulgaris,  Orchis  pyramidalis,  Avena 
pubescens,  Thalictrum  minus,  Phyllitis  Scolopendrum,  Anthyl- 
lis .  Vulneraria — have  been  found  growing  in  the  vicinity. 
The  neighbourhood  is  the  principal  station  for  Arabis  hirsuta, 
and  Sisymbrium  Thalianum,  a  plant  showing  locally  a 
partiality  for  old  lime-built  walls,  has  also  been  found  here. 
Comminuted  shells  supply  to  the  sandy  soil  of  the  districts 
bordering  the  sea  an  abundance  of  lime,  and  provide  a 
suitable  growing  medium  for  such  calcicole  plants  as  Orchis 
pyramidalis,  Gentiana  Amarella,  and  possibly  others  of  a 
lime-loving  nature. 

The  irregular  surface  of  the  island,  with  its  great  variety 
of  soils,  is  such  as  to  provide  situations,  within  a  small  area, 
suitable  for  many  kinds  of  plants.  In  the  bogs,  the  con- 
sistency of  the  ground  may  vary  in  the  compass  of  a  few 
square  yards  from  a  quaking  quagmire  to  firm  peat,  each 
kind  of  situation  supporting  different  kinds  of  plants. 
Plants  of  the  Marshy  Area  (Balanahard  ~bogs)—Potentilla 
palustris,  Phragmites  communis,  Ranunculus  Flammula, 
Menyanthes  trifoliata,  Lytlirum  Salicaria,  Juncus  acutiflorus, 
Agrostis  alba,  Gar  ex  Goodenowii,  etc.  Firmer  ground — 
Eriophorum  angustifolium,  Erica  Tetralix,  Molinia  varia, 
Narthecium  ossifragum,  Scabiosa  Succisa,  Potentilla  erecta, 
Carexflacca,  etc. 

Plants  on  Circumscribed  Areas  growing  together 
Shingly  Shore  (Meall-a-Chuilbh,  at  high-water  mark). — 
Cnicus   lanceolatus,  Sedum   anglicum,   Potentilla   Anserinar 
Carex  arenaria,   Geranium  molle,  Rumex  crispus,  Plantago 
Coronopus,  Matricaria  inodora,  Geranium  Robertianum. 
Cliffs    (Dreis-an-t-Sealgair,    north    shore).  —  Ligusticum 


THE  FLORA  91 

scoticum,  Dactylis,  Festuca,  Lonicera  Periclymenum,  Rubus, 
Angelica  sylvestris. 

Shore  Turf  (Creagan). — Carex  binervis,  C.  flacca,  Plantago 
maritimci,  Statice  maritima,  Glaux  maritima,  Cochlearia, 
Festuca,  Lotus  corniculatus,  Potentilla  Anserina. 

Blown  Sands  (Balanahard  Bay).  —  Lotus  corniculatus, 
Sedum  anglicum,  Er  odium  cicatarium,  Veronica  Chamcedrys, 
Viola  Riviniana,  Hieracium  Pilosella,  Galium  verum, 
Thymus  Serpyllum. 

Gaelic  Names.  —  About  200  of  the  local  Gaelic  names 
have  been  collected,  and  are  here  included.  Some  confusion 
exists  as  to  the  species  to  which  certain  names  apply.  In 
such  cases  the  names  given  by  the  older  persons,  who  had  used 
the  plants  or  known  them  to  have  been  used  for  particular 
purposes,  are  adhered  to.  It  has  not  been  ascertained  with 
certainty  to  what  plants  certain  names  (Luibh-an-Fhoclain, 
Lus-na-Miadh,  Fionndfhuirneach,  etc.)  locally  refer. 

Uses. — In  the  olden  days  many  of  the  plants  found  locally 
were  put  to  medicinal  and  other  uses ;  but  the  generation 
which  so  used  the  plants  has  gone  the  way  of  all  flesh,  and 
the  information  now  to  be  obtained  is  consequently  of  a 
fragmentary  nature.  Had  this  work  been  attempted  fifty 
years  ago,  it  would  doubtless  have  been  attended  with  a 
much  greater  measure  of  success.  Such  information  as 
could  be  gleaned  from  the  older  inhabitants  is  noted  in 
the  following  pages.  It  may  be  mentioned  here  that  in 
the  preparation  of  ointments,  etc.,  the  herbs  were  pounded 
between  stones,  as  contact  with  iron  or  steel  was  believed 
to  exercise  a  deleterious  effect  on  the  properties  of  the 
plants. 

EXPLANATORY  NOTE 

With  few  exceptions,  the  nomenclature  of  the  tenth  edition 
of  the  London  Catalogue  of  British  Plants  has  been  adhered 


92  COLONSAY 

to.  Realising  the  importance  of  having  a  clear  distinction 
between  local  and  general  information,  care  has  been  taken 
to  precede  the  date  of  finding  the  plant  only  with  local 
matter ;  what  follows  is  information  collected  from  various 
sources,  and  not  referring  particularly  to  the  locality.  That  in 
connection  with  orders  and  genera  is  of  a  general  character. 

The  name  of  the  month  refers  to  the  time  when  the 
plant  was  found  by  the  writer  in  flower. 

Gaelic  names  in  general  use  but  not  known  to  be  used 
locally  are  enclosed  within  brackets. 

Names,  uses,  etc.,  borrowed  from  Cameron's  Gaelic  Names 
of  Plants  are  marked  C. ;  those  from  Withering's  English 
Botany  are  marked  W. ;  and  names  from  Hogan's  Irish  and 
Scottish  Gaelic  Names  of  Herbs,  Plants,  Trees,  etc.,  are 
marked  I. 

Contractions : — 

Ann.  =  Annual,  a  plant  of  one  year's  duration,  e.g.  Ground- 
sel, duckweed,  Oats,  etc. 

Bi.  =  Biennial,  a  plant  of  two  years'  duration,  e.g.  Burdock, 
Marsh  Thistle,  Turnip,  etc. 

Per.  =  Perennial,  a  plant  of  more  than  two  years'  duration, 
e.g.  Daisy,  Bracken,  Potato,  Willow,  etc. 

Plants  are  variable,  and,  according  to  their  surroundings, 
some  may  be  annuals  while  others  of  the  same  species  are 
biennials  or  even  perennials. 


The  vegetable  kingdom  is  divided  into  two  main  groups  : — 

(1)  Phanerogams,  or  flowering  plants. 

(2)  Cryptogams,  or  flowerless  plants. 

Cryptogams,  which  comprise  the  lower  forms  of  plant  life, 
do  not  bear  manifest  flowers  nor  form  seed.  They  repro- 
duce themselves  by  spores,  hence  they  are  termed  spore 
plants.  Ferns  (Froineach) ;  Horse-tail  (Clo'  uisge  C.); 


THE  FLORA  93 

Mosses  (C6inteach) ;  Liver-worts  (Ainean-uisge) ;  Lichens, 
e.g.  Ash-coloured  Dog-lichen  (Cluas-liath  an  Fhraoich) ;  Tree 
Lungwort  (Crotal  Coille) ;  Pannelia  perlata,  Njl.  (Crotal) ; 
Usnea  barbata,  Fr.  (Feusag-liath) ;  Xanthoria  parietina,  Fr. 
(Rusg  buidhe  nan  Creag),  etc. ;  Fungi,  including  Mushrooms 
(Bolgag);  Moulds  (Cloimh  liath) ;  Mil-dew  (Mil-cheo); 
Algae,  such  as  Seaweed  (Feamainn)  and  fresh-water  Confervas 
(Liobhagach-uisge),  are  all  familiar  examples  of  cryptogamic 
plants.  The  fungi  include  a  multitude  of  microscopical 
kinds  (microbes),  many  being  beneficial,  while  others  (disease 
germs)  are  hurtful. 

Phanerogams  bear  flowers  with  stamens  and  pistils,  and 
usually  a  perianth  consisting  of  a  calyx  and  corolla.  They 
produce  seeds  containing  an  embryo,  and  are  therefore  known 
as  seed-plants.  Phanerogams  embrace  the  great  majority  of 
the  best-known  plants  and  the  trees.  They  are  divided  into 
two  main  divisions :  (a)  Angiosperms,  comprising  practically 
all  the  flowering  plants ;  (b)  Gymnosperms,  including  the 
conifers  (Pine,  Juniper,  etc.). 

Div.  I.  ANGIOSPERMS 

Flowering  plants  with  ovules  contained  in  closed  ovaries. 
They  are  subdivided  into  two  great  classes — Dicotyledons 
and  Monocotyledons. 

Class  I.   DICOTYLEDONS 

Dicotyledons  include  fully  three-fourths  of  our  flowering 
plants,  and  are  easily  distinguished  from  Monocotyledons 
by  their  net-veined  leaves,  and  the  parts  of  their  flowers 
being  usually  in  fours  or  fives.  Their  stems  have  a  pith  in 
the  middle  of  fibrous  or  woody  tissue,  with  a  separable  bark 
on  the  outside.  Increase  in  growth  takes  place  by  annual 
additions  underneath  the  bark,  seen  in  the  cross-section  of 
a  tree  by  the  appearance  of  concentric  circles,  or  rings,  each 


94  COLONSAY 

one  marking  a  year's  growth.  By  counting  these  circles  the 
age  of  the  tree  can  be  ascertained,  and  they  even  indicate 
the  nature  of  the  seasons,  whether  favourable  for  growth 
or  not,  through  which  the  tree  lived.  The  leaves  of 
Monocotyledons  are  parallel-veined,  and  the  parts  of  their 
flowers  arranged  in  threes;  in  the  stem  there  is  neither  a 
pith  in  the  centre  nor  a  separable  bark  outside,  and  they 
show  no  annual  rings.  The  embryo  has  only  one  seed-leaf ; 
in  Dicotyledons  there  are  two — a  fundamental  distinction. 
Dicotyledons  are  further  divided  into  sub-classes,  which  is 
beyond  the  scope  of  this  work  to  discuss. 

RANUNCULACEJE  (the  Ranunculus  family) 

With  the  exception  of  the  Traveller's  Joy,  all  the 
British  species  of  the  order  are  herbs.  They  usually 
have  an  acrid  or,  in  some  cases,  a  very  poisonous  juice, 
as  in  the  Monkshood  (Fuath  Mhadaidh,  C.),  the  roots 
of  which  have  been  mistaken  for  Horse-radish  with  fatal 
results.  The  Hellebore  (Elebor,  C.)  is  said  to  have  been 
used  by  the  ancient  Britons  for  poisoning  their  arrows. 
In  early  summer,  such  plants  of  the  family  as  Pseony 
(Lus  a'  Phione,  C.),  Columbine  (Lus  a'  Chalmain),  and 
Larkspur  (Sala  Fuiseoige,  I.)  add  much  to  the  beauty  of 
gardens.  In  the  depth  of  winter,  the  chaste  white  blossoms 
of  the  Christmas  Rose  unfold.  The  Wood  Anemone  (Nead 
Coille,  I.)  is  recorded  from  neighbouring  islands. 

Thalictrum,  L. 

Perennials,  easily  recognised  by  their  elegant,  maidenhair- 
fern-like  foliage. 

T.  dunense,  Dum. — Meadow  Rue.  Balaromin-mor,  shore 
rocks. — August. 

T.    minus,    a   collinum   (Wallr.). — Lesser    Meadow    Rue. 


THE  FLORA  95 

Ru-beag,  C.  Kocky  banks  in  Ardskenish  Glen.  Said  to 
have  been  locally  used  for  rheumatism ;  it  is  therefore  sure 
to  have  borne  a  local  name. — August. 

T.  majus,  Crantz. — Greater  Meadow  Rue.  Kiloran  Bay. 
— August.  One  specimen  from  Kiloran  Bay  was  described 
by  Rev.  E.  F.  Linton  as  haviiig  "  broad  ovate  fruits,  near 
T.  Kochii." — August. 

Ranunculus,  L. 

Herbs,  partial  to  moist  situations,  sometimes  entirely 
aquatic.  The  white  Bachelor's  Buttons  is  a  double- flowered 
form  of  It.  aconitifolius,  a  continental  species. 

R.  Drouetii,  F.  Schultz.— Water  Crowfoot.  Lion  na 
h-Aibhne,  C.  Loch  Fada. — Per.,  July. 

R.  Baudotii  c.  marinus  (Arrh.  and  Fr.). — Recorded  by 
Mr  Somerville. 

R.  hederaceus,  L. — Ivy  Crowfoot.  Peabar  Uisge.  Ditches 
and  muddy  places.  Pounded  between  stones,  it  was  used  as 
one  of  the  principal  ingredients  in  poultices  for  king's-evil. 
—Per.,  May. 

R.  sceleratus,  L.  —  Celery-leaved  Crowfoot.  Torachas 
Biadhain,  C.  Port-mor  and  near  Sguid-a-Leanna. — Ann., 
August.  The  whole  plant  is  very  corrosive,  and  beggars 
use  it  to  ulcerate  their  feet,  which  they  expose  in  that  state 
to  excite  compassion.  W. 

R.  Flammula,  L. — Lesser  Spearwort.  Glas-leun.  Abun- 
dant in  marshy  situations.  Locally  used  as  a  substitute  for 
rennet  in  cheese-making. — Per.,  July. 

R.  acris,  L. — Meadow  Crowfoot;  Buttercup.  Cearban 
Fe6ir.  Moist  meadows.  Leaves,  pounded,  formed  an  im- 
portant ingredient  in  extracting-plasters. — Per.,  June. 

R.  repens,  L. — Creeping  Crowfoot.  Buidheag,  C.  Sandy 
ground,  Buaile-na-Craoibhe. — Per.,  July. 

R.  repens,  var.  glabratus,  Lej.  and  Court. — Kiloran. 


96  COLONSAY 

R.  bulbosus,  L. — Bulbous  Crowfoot.  Fuile  Thalmhuinn, 
C.  Garvard,  Machrins  links,  Kiloran  Bay,  etc. — Per.,  June. 

R.  bulbosus,  L.,  var.  parvulus. — Mossy  sand  dunes,  Kiloran 
Bay. — June. 

R.  Ficaria,  L. — Lesser  Celandine ;  Pilewort.  (Searraiche.) 
Grain-aigein,  C.  One  of  the  earliest  spring  flowers  to 
appear,  it  brightens  the  landscape  with  its  glossy  yellow 
flowers  while  many  other  plants  are  still  dormant.  It 
is  abundant  in  situations  that,  later  on,  are  overgrown 
with  bracken.  The  cylindrical  tubers  of  the  roots  are,  in 
winter,  scraped  up  and  eaten  by  pheasants. — Per.,  May.  Its 
roots  are  still  used  as  a  cure  for  piles,  corns,  etc.  C.  They 
were  compared  to  haemorrhoids,  and  generally  used  as  a 
cure  for  that  malady. 

Caltha,  L. 

C.  palustris,  L. — Marsh  Marigold.  (Lus  Buidhe  Beall- 
tainn.)  Common  in  wet  situations. — Per.,  April. 

Trollius,  L. 

T.  europxus,  L.  —  Globeflower.  Leolaicheann  (1),  C. 
Eecorded  by  Mr  Miller. 

Aquilegia,  L. 

A.,  var. — Columbine.  (Lus  a'  Chalmain.)  Kiloran  woods, 
on  the  ledge  of  a  low  precipice. — Per.,  June. 

BBRBBRIDACE.E  (the  Barberry  family) 

A  small  order,  mostly  herbs  and  shrubs.  Evergreen 
species  (Mahonia)  are  ornamental  and  hardy,  thriving 
locally. 

Berberis,  L. 

B.  vulgaris,  L.  —  Barberry.  (Gearr  -  Dhearc.  Preas 
Deilgneach.)  Introduced,  and  now  growing  naturally  in  a 


THE  FLORA  97 

few  places  in  Kiloran.  The  .roots  were  sometimes  boiled 
and  drunk  for  jaundice. — June.  A  yellow  dye  is  obtained 
from  the  root.  The  berries  are  acid  and  astringent,  and 
sometimes  preserved. 

NYMPH.EACE,£  (the  Water  Lily  family) 

Aquatic  plants  of  great  beauty.  Victoria  regia,  the 
Queen  of  Water  Lilies,  from  the  Amazon  regions,  produces 
leaves  measuring  12  feet  across.  The  Sacred  Bean  of  the 
Egyptians  (Nelumbium  speciosum)  is  closely  allied. 

Castalia,  Salisb. 

C.  alba,  Wood.  —  White  Water  Lily.  Euaimleadh. 
Common  in  the  lochs.  A  black  dye,  for  dyeing  wool  and 
yarn,  is  obtained  from  the  large  roots,  which  are  cut  up  and 
boiled. — June. 

PAPAVERACB.E  (the  Poppy  family) 

Annuals,  abounding  in  milky  juice  and  remarkable  for 
their  narcotic  properties.  Some  kinds,  such  as  the  Shirley 
Poppies,  produce  flowers  of  exquisite  beauty. 

Papaver,  L. 

P.  somniferum,  L. — Opium  Poppy.  (Codalan ;  Lus  a' 
Chadail.)  North  side  of  Port-mor. — August.  The  opium  of 
commerce  is  the  dried  juice  of  this  species,  obtained  by 
incising  the  poppy-heads  before  they  are  ripe.  Asia  Minor, 
Egypt,  Persia,  and  India  yield  the  principal  supply  of  the 
drug. 

P.  dubium,  L.  —  Smooth  -  headed  Poppy.  Bollasgan. 
Cultivated  fields. — June. 

P.  Argemone,  L.  —  Pale  or  Prickly-headed  Poppy, 
Recorded  by  Mr  Grieve. 


98  COLONSAY 

FUMARIACE^E  (the  Fumitory  family) 

Delicate  herbs ;  Dielytra  spectabilis  from  China  is  one 
of  the  best-known  garden  representatives  of  the  order, 
thriving  locally. 

Fumaria,  L. 

F.  Bastardi,  Bor. — Garden  weed,  Kiloran.  Confirmed  by 
Mr  H.  W.  Pugsley.— Ann.,  October. 

F.  officinalis,  L. — Fumitory.  Lus  Deathach  Thalmhuinn, 
C.  Common  in  dry  fields. — Ann.,  July. 

CRUCIFER^E  (the  Crucifer  family) 

Plants  of  the  order  are  easily  recognised  by  their 
cruciform-shaped  flowers,  the  four  petals  forming  a  Maltese 
cross.  None  are  poisonous  ;  many,  such  as  the  Watercress, 
have  pungent  juices ;  while  others  possess  antiscorbutic 
properties.  Under  cultivation  their  juices  become  milder, 
and  the  various  organs,  as  in  the  Cabbage  (Cal),  Turnip 
(Xeup),  Cauliflower  (Cal  Gruidhean,  C.),  Radish  (Raidis), 
etc.,  tend  to  become  succulent.  Oil  of  rape,  gold  of  pleasure 
oil,  etc.,  are  obtained  from  the  seed.  Woad  (Buidhe 
Mor,  I.)  dyes  blue,  and  was  used  by  the  ancient  Britons  for 
staining  their  skin.  Stock,  Wallflower  (Lus-leth-an-t-Samh- 
raidh),  Alyssum,  Candytuft,  Rocket,  Honesty,  etc.,  are 
popular  garden  ornaments. 

Radicula,  Hill 

R.  Nasturtium  -  aquaticum,  Rendle  and  Britten.  — 
Common  Watercress.  Biolair.  Abundant  in  running  water. 
Used  as  salad;  it  was  also  prepared  like  cabbage — boiled,' 
pounded,  and  seasoned — and  used  in  broth  (brot  biolarach). — 
Per.,  July. 


THE   FLORA  99 

Earbarea,  Br. 

B.  vulgaris,  Ait. — Yellow  Rocket.  Roadside,  Kiloran,  and 
manse  garden  -  wall ;  rare.  —  Bi.,  June.  In  Sweden  the 
leaves  are  used  in  salads  early  in  spring  and  late  in  autumn ; 
also  boiled  as  kale.  W. 

B.  verna,    Aschers.  —  American    Cress.      Garden    wall. 
Cultivated  in  gardens  as  a  salad. — Bi.,  June. 

Arabia,  L. 

A.  hirsuta,  Scop. — Hairy  Rockcress.  New  Cave. — Bi., 
June. 

Cardamine,  L. 

C.  pratensis,  L. — Lady's  Smock ;   Cuckoo-flower.      Lus- 
an-Fhogair  (1)     Flur  na  Cubhaig,  C.     Common  at  the  sides 
of  ditches.     Known  by  the  younger  people  as  Peabar-uisge. 
—Per.,  May. 

C.  hirsuta,  L. — Hairy  Bittercress.  Roadsides,  Kiloran. — 
Ann.,  May, 

C.  flexuosa,  With. — Kiloran  woods;  local. — Bi.  or  Per., 
June. 

Drala,  L. 

D.  incana,  L. — Twisted-podded  Whitlow-grass.     Recorded 
by  Mr  Grieve. 

Erophila,  DC. 

E.  verna,  E.  Meyer. — Whitlow-grass.    Biolradh  Gruagain  (?), 
I.     A  tiny  plant,  one  of  the  earliest  to  flower  in  spring. 
Common  on  sandy  ground  near  the  shore. — Ann.,  April. 

E.  prcecox,  DC. — East  side  of  Traigh-nam-Barc.  A  small 
specimen  found  on  the  rocky  hillocks  at  Cr6isebrig, 
Balanahard,  resembled,  in  Mr  Bennett's  opinion,  the  sub- 
species E.  inflata,  Wats. — May. 


100  COLONSAY 

Cochlearia,  L. 

A  few  species,  including  the  Horse-radish  (Racadal)  so 
much  cultivated  in  gardens  as  a  condiment. 

G.  officinalis,  L. — Scurvy-grass.  Am  Maraiche.  Biolair 
Creige,  W.  Dun  Ghallain  rocks.— Bi.  or  Per.,  June.  Well 
known  for  its  antiscorbutic  properties. 

C.  danica,  L. — Recorded  by  Mr  Miller. — Ann.  or  Bi. 

C.  grcenlandica,  L. — Biolair  Tragha,  I.  Common  on  the 
shore  turf. — July. 

Sisymbrium,  L. 

S.  Thalianum,  Gay. — A  few  localities,  on  old  walls  and 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  limestone  rock.  (Arabis  Thaliana, 
A.  B.).— Ann.,  May. 

£  officinale,  Scop. — Hedge  Mustard.  Fineul  Mhuire,  I. 
Recorded  by  Messrs  Miller  and  Somerville. — Ann.  or  Bi. 

Camelina,  Crantz 

C.  saliva,  Crantz,  b  fcetida  (Fr.). — Fetid  Gold  of  Pleasure. 
Rare. 

Brassica,  L. 

Cabbage,  Cauliflower,  Broccoli,  Kale  (Cal  Broilein), 
Kohlrabi,  etc.,  originated  from  B.  oleracea,  a  British  native, 
on  record  from  May. 

B.  Napns,  L. — Rape,  or  Cole-seed.  Meacan  Raibhe,  I. 
Cultivated  field. — Ann.  or  Bi.,  July.  Grown  in  this  country 
as  green  fodder,  and  on  the  Continent  for  the  seed,  from 
which  the  oil  of  rape  is  expressed. 

B.  Rapa,  L. — Common  Turnip.  Neup.  Vacant  ground. 
— Ann.  or  Bi.,  June.  The  culture  of  turnip  (improved 
kinds)  as  a  field  crop  is  believed  to  have  been  introduced  by 
Sir  Richard  Weston,  on  his  return  to  England  from  Flanders 
in  1645. 


THE  FLORA  101 

B.  nigra,  Koch. — Black  Mustard.  Cornfield. — Ann.,  June. 
The  mustard  of  commerce  is  usually  prepared  from  the  seeds 
of  this  variety  and  of  B.  alba.  The  former  is  chiefly 
cultivated  in  Lincolnshire  and  Yorkshire,  and  the  latter  in 
Essex  and  Cambridgeshire. 

B.  arvensis,  0.  Kuntze.  —  Charlock ;  Wild  Mustard. 
Sgeallan.  A  too  common  cornfield  weed.  In  the  young 
state  it  was  prepared  and  eaten  like  cabbage.  —  Ann., 
August. 

B.  Erucastrum,  Vill. — Vacant  ground.     Introduced  with 
feeding  stuffs. — August. 

Capsella,  Medic. 

C.  Bursa-pastoris,   Medic. — Shepherd's  Purse.     Luibh-a- 
Sporain.    Sporan  Buachaille,  W.    Well-known  garden  weed. 
— Ann.,  May.     The  young  radical  leaves  were  brought  to 
market  to  Philadelphia  and  sold  for  greens  in  the  spring  of 
the  year.     (Barton.)     W. 

Lepidium,  L. 

L.  ruderale,  L. — Narrow-leaved  Cress.  Vacant  ground, 
Kiloran. — Ann.,  August. 

L.  sativwn,  L.  —  Garden  Cress.  Biolair  Frangach,  I. 
Rubbish-heap,  Kiloran. — Ann.,  June.  A  supposed  native 
of  Persia,  and  cultivated  in  this  country  since  the  middle  of 
the  sixteenth  century. 

Thlaspi,  L. 

T.  arvense,  L. — Field  Pennycress.  Praiseach  Feidh,  C. 
Vacant  ground,  Kiloran. — Ann.,  July. 

CaJtile,  Mill 

C.  maritima,  Scop.  —  Sea  Rocket.  Fearsaideag,  C. 
Kiloran  Bay  sands. — Ann.,  August. 


102  COLONSAY 

Raphanus,  L. 
Garden  kinds  of  Radish  are  varieties  of  R.  sativus,  L. 

R.  Raphanistrum,  L. — Wild  Radish  ;  Jointed  or  White 
Charlock.  Meacan  Ruadh,  C.  Cultivated  field,  Kiloran. — 
Ann.,  July. 

VioLACsa;  (the  Violet  family) 

Without  considering  the  many  beautiful  pansies  now  in 
cultivation,  the  Sweet  Violet  alone  would  raise  this  order  in 
the  estimation  of  all  lovers  of  flowers. 

Viola,  L. 

V.  palustris,  L. — Marsh  Violet.  Badan  Measgan  (?),  I. 
Marshy  ground. — Per.,  June. 

V.  odorata,  L.— Sweet  Violet.  (Fail-Chuach.)  Intro- 
duced.— Per.,  May.  Its  roots  are  said  to  be  purgative. 

V.  Riviniana,  Reichb.  —  Dog  Violet.  Sail  -  Chuach. 
Dail  Chuach,  C.  Known  by  the  younger  people  as  Broga 
Cuthaig,  a  name  applied  by  older  persons  to  the  Harebell. — 
Per.,  May.  Beneficial  in  skin-diseases. 

V.  Rivinana  x  sylvestris. — East  of  Bruach-mhor. 

V.  tricolor,  L.  —  Pansy  Violet ;  Heartsease.  Sp6g-na- 
Cuthaig,  C.  Abundant  in  sandy  fields. — Ann.,  July.  The 
numerous  forms  of  pansies  now  in  cultivation  have  been 
obtained  by  selection  from  this  species,  and  by  hybridising  it 
with  V.  grandiflora,  V.  altaica,  etc.  Goirmin  Searradh,  I. 

V.  arvensis,  Murr. — Field  Pansy.  Cultivated  fields. — 
Ann.,  July. 

V.  Curtisii,  Forster. — Sandy  hollow  east  of  Traigh-nam- 
Barc. — Per.,  August. 

V.  Curtisii,  Forster,  /.  mackaii.  —  Blown  sands,  Port 
Easdail. 

V.  lutea,  Huds. — Yellow  Mountain  Violet.  Recorded  by 
Mr  Grieve. — Per. 


THE  FLORA  303 

POLYGALACEJ:  (the  Milkwort  family) 
A  small  order  with  bitter  and  astringent  qualities,  and  a 
milky  juice  in  the  root.     The  American  Snake  Root  is  used 
for  chronic  bronchitis  and  asthma,  and  was  a  reputed  antidote 
against  the  poison  of  snakes. 

Poly  gala,  Linn. 

P.  vulgaris,  L. — Common  Milkwort.  Lus  -  a'  -  Bhainne. 
Recorded  by  Mr  Miller.— Per. 

P.  serpyllacea,  Weihe. — Siabunn-nam-Ban-Slth.  Com- 
mon on  dry  heaths  and  pastures.  When  rubbed  between 
the  hands  a  lather  is  formed,  hence  the  local  name. — Per. 
June. 

CAROPHYLLACE.E  (the  Pink  family) 

The  British  species  of  the  order  are  numerous,  and  easily 
recognised  by  their  general  habit,  swollen  nodes,  and  opposite 
leaves.  They  are  generally  found  in  dry  situations.  Many, 
as  the  Soapwort  (Lus-an-t-Siabuinn),  are  pervaded  by  a 
saponaceous  principle,  but  they  are  usually  devoid  of  active 
properties.  The  various  species  of  Dianthus — Carnations, 
Pinks,  Sweet- William,  etc. — alone  would  raise  this  family 
to  a  position  of  no  mean  ornamental  value. 

Silene,  L. 

Certain  species  of  this  numerous  genus  are  known  as 
Catchflies,  from  the  fact  that  they  are  coated  with  sticky 
hairs  to  which  small  kinds  of  flies  and  other  insects  adhere. 

S.  maritima,  With. — Sea  Campion.  Sea-rocks,  northern 
shore.  Although  one  of  the  showiest  of  our  earliest  summer 
flowers,  no  local  name  has  been  discovered  for  it. — Per.,  June. 

S.  noctiflora,  L. — Night-flowering  Catchfly.  A  cornfield 
weed.  Recorded  by  Mr  Grieve. 

S.  dichotoma. — Vacant  ground,  Kiloran.     An  alien  that 


104  COLONSAY 

is  becoming  naturalised  in  many  parts   of   the  country. — 
August. 

Lychnis,  L. 

L,  alba,  Mill. — White  Lychnis.  Roadside,  Scalasaig. — Bi. 
or  Per.,  July. 

L.  dioica,  L. — Red  Campion.  Lus-a-R6s.  Cirean  Coi- 
leach,  I.  Shady  roadsides. — Per.,  July. 

L.  Flos-cuculi,  L. — Ragged  Robin.  Caorag-Leana,  C. 
Frequently  adorning  wet  meadows. — Per.,  June. 

L.  Githago,  Scop. — Corn  Cockle.  lothros,  C.  A  corn- 
field weed  of  sandy  places. — Ann.,  July. 

Cerastium,  L. 

One  of  the  best-known  garden  representatives  of  the  genus 
is  C.  tomentosum  (Snow-in-Summer),  much  used  for  edgings 
and  carpet-bedding. 

C.  tetrandrum,  Curt. — Common,  and,  near  the  shore,  often 
with  grains  of  sand  adhering  to  the  stems  and  leaves. — Ann., 
July. 

G.  viscosum,  L. — Broad-leaved  Mouse-ear.  Garden  weed. 
— Ann.,  June. 

C.  vulgatum,  L. — Mouse-ear  Chickweed.  Cluas  Luchag. 
Frequent  in  dry  situations. — Per.,  June. 

Stellaria,  L. 

Usually  found  growing,  locally,  in  moister  places  than  the 
members  of  the  preceding  group. 

S.  media,  Vill. — Common  Chickweed.  Fliodh.  One  of 
the  commonest  weeds. — Ann.,  July.  It  follows  the  British 
settler  to  all  parts  of  the  globe. 

S.  Holostea,  L. — Greater  Stitchwort.  Tuirseach,  C. 
Glasaird,  rare. — Per.,  June. 

S.  uliginosa,  Murr. — Bog  Starwort.  Ditches  and  wet 
places. — Ann.  or  per.,  June. 


THE  FLORA  105 

Arena  Ha,  L. 

A.  serpyllifolia,  L. — Thyme-leaved  Sandwort.  Not  un- 
common on  sandy  ground  near  the  sea. — Ann.,  August. 

A.  peploides,  L. — Sea-Purslane.  Kiloran  Bay  sands. — 
Per.,  June. 

A. peploides,  var.  oblongifolia. — Sands,  Port-an-Tigh-mhoir. 
June. 

Sagina,  L. 

Small,  tufted,  inconspicuous  herbs. 

S.  maritima,  Don. — Sea  Pearhvort.  Port-mor,  south  side. 
— Ann.,  September. 

S.  apetala,  Ard. — Lawns  and  pastures. — Ann.,  June. 

S.  procumbens,  L. — Procumbent  Pearlwort.  As  this  species 
is  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  plants  that  were  formerly 
fixed  over  doors  for  good  luck,  it  probably  had  a  local  name. 
—Per.,  July. 

S.  procumbens,  L.,  sub.  sp.  confertior,  Norman. — Scalasaig, 
shore. 

S.  subulata,  Presl. — Top  of  Carnan  Eoin. — Per.,  July. 

S.  nodosa,  Fenzl. — Knotted  Spurry.  Moist  situations, 
Kiloran. — Per.,  August. 

Spergula,  L. 

S.  arvensis,  L. — Corn  Spurry.  Carran.  (Cluain  Lin.) 
Common  weed  of  cultivated  fields. — Ann.,  July.  It  was 
formerly  grown  as  a  forage  plant,  the  knowledge  of  its  culture 
having  been  brought  from  Holland  about  1740.  Experience 
shows  it  to  be  very  nutritious  to  cattle  that  eat  it ;  poultry 
are  fond  of  the  seed ;  and  the  inhabitants  of  Finland  and 
Norway  make  bread  of  it  when  their  crops  of  corn  fail.  W. 

Spergularia,  Presl. 

S.  rubra,  Pers. — Common  Sand-Spurry.  Sandy  ground, 
Cul-Salach  and  Poll  Gorm.  Pure  white  flowers. — Ann.  or 
Bi.,  July. 


106  COLONSAY 

S.  salina,  Presl. — Recorded  by  Messrs  Miller  and  Somer- 
ville. 

S.  salina,  c.  neglecta  (Syme). — Shore  rocks,  Port-mor. — 
Ann.  or  Bi.,  June. 

S.  marginata,  Kittel. — Salt-marsh,  Port-an-Obain,  Scala- 
saig. — Per.,  August. 

S.  rupestris,  Lebel, — Rocks,  Lamalum. — Per.,  June. 

PORTULACE.E  (the  Purslane  family) 

More  or  less  succulent  herbs.  Purslane  (Purpaidh),  from 
South  America,  is  grown  for  salads. 

Montia,  L. 

M.  fontana,  L. — Blinks;  Water  Chickweed.  Shady 
woods  and  moist  places. — Ann.  or  Bi.,  May. 

M.  fontana,  a  minor,  All. — Ditch,  Port  Sgibinis. 

ELATINACEJE  (the  Elatine  family) 
A  small  order  of  one  European  genus. 

Elatine,  L. 

E.  hexandra,  DC. — Water  Pepper.  West  Loch  Fada.— 
Ann.,  July. 

HYPBRICACE.E  (the  Hypericum  family) 

Confined  in  Britain  to  the  following  genus — herbaceous 
and  shrubby  perennials  with  opposite  undivided  leaves,  often 
dotted  with  minute  oil-glands.  H.  calycinum  (Kose  of 
Sharon,  Aaron's  Beard),  from  South-East  Europe,  is  often 
planted  in  gardens,  being  useful  for  shady  situations. 

Hypericum,  L. 

H.  androscemum,  L. — Sweet  Amber ;  Tutsan.  Caora- 
caothaich.  The  globular,  shining  fruit  was  credited,  if  eaten, 
with  inducing  madness ;  hence  the  local  name. — July. 


THE  FLORA  107 

H.  perforatum,  L.— St  John's  Wort.  Eala  Bhuidhe,  W. 
Recorded  by  Mr  Grieve.  Used  in  medicine.  Badge  of 
Clan  M'Kinnon. 

H.  quadrangulum,  L. — Square-stalked  St  John's  Wort. 
Beachnuadh  Firionn,  C.  Frequent  by  ditch -sides. — 
August. 

H.  humiftisum,  L. — Trailing  St  John's  Wort.  Upper  side 
of  Buaile  Sheagail. — August. 

H.  pulchrum,  L. — Small,  upright  St  John's  Wort.  Luibh 
Chaluim  Chille.  Common  on  dry,  heather-clad  hills.  The 
local  name  is  now  frequently,  but  incorrectly,  given  to  the 
Bog  Asphodel. — July. 

H.  elodes,  L. — Marsh  St  John's  Wort.  Abundant  in 
peat-bogs. — August. 


MALVACEAE  (the  Mallow  family) 

Though  only  sparingly  represented  in  Britain,  this  is  an 
important  tropical  order,  many  of  the  species  furnishing 
useful  fibre  from  the  inner  layers  of  the  bark.  There  is  a 
remarkable  absence  of  noxious  qualities.  The  order  includes 
some  wonderful  tropical  species.  Cotton  (Cotan)  is  obtained 
from  the  hair-like  appendages  that  clothe  the  seeds  of 
various  species  of  Gossypium.  Hollyhock  (R6s  Mall)  and 
Mai  ope  are  handsome  for  the  flower-garden.  The  Tree 
Mallow,  a  British  species,  grows  in  exposed  situations  near 
the  sea. 

Malva,  L. 

M.  moschata,  L. — Musk  Mallow.  One  plant  in  pasture, 
Druim-an-Deabhaidh,  where  it  is  known  to  have  been  grow- 
ing for  many  years. — Per.,  July. 

M.  sylvestris,  L. — Common  Mallow.  Ucas  Fiadhain,  C. 
Recorded  from  Oransay  by  Mr  Grieve,  and  the  only  species 
in  this  list  not  known  to  occur  also  in  Colonsay. 


108  COLONSAY 


(the  Lime  family) 
A  large  tropical  order,  yielding  valuable  fibre.     "  Jute  "  is 
obtained  from  Indian  species,  and  is  largely  used  in  the  manu- 
facture of  carpets  and  other  fabrics.     The  wood  of  the  lime 
is  easily  worked,  and  the  best  in  this  country  for  carving. 

Tilia,  L. 

T.  vulgaris,  Hayne.  —  Lime-tree;  Linden.  (Crann  Teile.) 
Introduced.  —  June.  The  inner  bark  furnishes  "  Russia 
matting." 

LINAGES  (the  Flax  family) 

A  small  order  of  herbs  and  shrubs  characterised  by  the 
tough  fibre  of  the  inner  bark. 

Radiola,  Hill. 

R.  linoides,  Roth.  —  Allseed.  Bare  and  stony  sides  of 
paths.  —  A  minute  annual  ;  July. 

Linum,  L. 

A  large  genus,  some  species  —  annuals  and  perennials  — 
-with  showy  but  short-lived  flowers,  in  various  colours. 

L.  catharticum,  L.  —  Purging  Flax.  Caolach  Miosa.  Lion- 
nam-Ban-Sith.  Common  in  barren  heaths  and  pastures. 
Locally  used  for  its  cathartic  properties.  —  Ann.,  August. 

L.  usitatissimum,  L.  —  Common  Flax  ;  Linseed.  Lion. 
At  one  time  largely  cultivated  for  its  fibre  ;  used  locally  in 
the  manufacture  of  linen.  —  Ann.,  June.  The  seed  is  valu- 
able for  the  oil  it  contains,  and  is  largely  used  medicinally 
and  for  feeding  stock. 

GERANIACE^E  (the  Geranium  family) 
Particularly  numerous   in   South-West   Africa,  they   are 
chiefly  remarkable  for  the  beauty  of   their  flowers.     Some 


THE   FLORA  109 

are  characterised  by  astringent  and  aromatic  properties. 
Most  of  the  garden  Pelargoniums  (Geraniums)  in  existence 
to-day  have  sprung  from  a  few  insignificant  -  flowered 
South  African  species  introduced  to  this  country  about  two 
hundred  years  ago.  K"o  other  class  of  plants  has  more 
richly  rewarded  the  labours  of  the  hybridist  and  plant- 
breeder.  The  varieties  thus  raised  are  numberless,  and 
unsurpassed  as  greenhouse  and  window  plants. 

Geranium,  L. 

G.  sanguineum,  L. — Bloody  Crane's-bill.  Creachlach 
Dearg,  C.  Recorded  by  Mr  Grieve. 

G.  sylvaticum,  L. — Wood  Geranium.  Recorded  by 
Mr  Grieve. 

G.  pratense,  L. — Wood,  Cnoc-na-Pairce,  Scalasaig, — Per., 
July. 

G.  molle,  L. — Dove's-foot;  Crane's-bill.  Uncultivated 
hillocks,  Learga-bheag  ;  rather  common. — Ann.  or  Bi., — 
May. 

G.  dissectum,  L. — Cut-leaved  Crane's-bill.  Sandy  ground 
near  the  shore  ;  not  uncommon. — Ann.  or  Bi.,  June. 

G.  columbinum,  L. — Recorded  by  Mr  Miller. 

G.  Eobertianum,  L. — Herb  Robert.  Luibh-na-Maclan. 
On  shingly  shores  and  various  other  situations. — Ann.  or 
Bi.,  June.  This  species  and  G.  sanguineum  were  held  in 
great  repute  by  Highlanders  on  account  of  their  astringent 
and  vulnerary  properties,  C. 

Erodium,  L'Herit 

E.  cicutarium,  L'Herit.  —  Stork's  -  bill.  An  Rudh. 
Common  in  dry,  sandy  situations  near  the  shore.  A 
pretty  reddish  brown  (magenta)  but  fading  dye  is 
said  to  be  obtained  from  the  tap-root. — Ann.  or  Bi.,. 

August. 


110  COLONSAY 

Oxalis,  L. 

0.  Acetosella,  L.  —  Wood-  sorrel.  Biadh-ur-Eunachan. 
One  of  the  principal  ingredients  of  herb  plasters  for  king's- 
•evil.  —  Per.,  May.  Oxalic  acid  is  prepared  from  this  species. 


(the  Holly  family) 
A  small  order,  represented  in  Britain  by  a  single  species. 

Ilex,  L. 

/.  Aquifolium,  L.  —  Holly.  Cuilionn.  Common  in  the 
natural  woods,  and  growing  out  of  clefts  of  rocks.  Saplings 
much  prized  for  walking-sticks.  Trees  in  exposed  situations 
rarely  produce  berries.  —  June.  Bird-lime  is  the  juice  of  the 
holly-bark  extracted  by  boiling,  mixed  with  a  third  part 
of  nut-oil.  Badge  of  the  Clan  M'Millan. 

AcERACE.fi  (the  Maple  tribe) 

A  tribe  of  Sapindacese,  limited  in  Britain  to  the  follow- 
ing genus.  The  Norway  and  some  Canadian  Maples  are 
commonly  planted  as  ornamental  trees.  Acer  saccharinum 
is  the  famous  Sugar  Maple  of  Canada  and  the  United  States. 
Sugar  is  made  from  the  sweet  sap,  which  is  obtained 
when  it  rises  in  spring.  The  Horse-chestnut  (Geanm-Chn6 
Fhiadhaich,  C.)  belongs  to  an  allied  tribe. 

Acer,  L. 

A.  Pseudo-platanus,  L.  —  Scots  Plane;  Sycamore.  Sica- 
nior.  Plintrinn,  W.  Introduced.  Numerous  seedlings  are 
springing  up  spontaneously  in  the  woods.  A  tree  that  lasts 
well  locally.  The  wood  is  light,  and  easily  worked.  —  May. 

LEGUMINOSJI:  (the  Leguminous  family) 
Next  to   Compositse  this  is  the  largest  natural  order  of 
fftwering-plants,  comprising   nearly  7000   species.      British 


THE  FLORA  111 

species  are  easily  recognised  by  their  characteristic  "pea- 
flowers  " ;  the  fruit  is  commonly  a  pod,  more  or  less  resemb- 
ling that  of  the  pea  or  bean.  The  properties  of  the  order 
are  most  varied ;  some,  as  Peas  (Peasair),  Beans  (Ponair), 
Lentils  (Grain-Fheileog,  I.),  etc.,  being  valuable  food-plants, 
others  (Liquorice  =  Maide-milis)  are  medicinal,  not  a  few 
being  poisonous.  Other  species  furnish  valuable  wood, 
fibres,  dyes  (Indigo  =  Guirmein),  gums,  resins,  oils,  tan,  etc. 
Clover,  Vetch,  Lucerne,  Sainfoin  (Coirm  Coilig,  I.)  are 
cultivated  as  forage  plants.  The  little  swellings  commonly 
seen  on  the  roots  of  leguminous  plants  are  inhabited  by 
"  bacteroids  "  which  have  the  power  of  drawing  on  the  free 
nitrogen  of  the  air  and  passing  it  on  to  the  plant,  with  the 
result  that  the  ground  is  often  richer  in  nitrogen  after  a 
leguminous  crop  than  it  was  before.  In  the  tropics,  the 
order  is  represented  by  gorgeous  flowering  trees,  which,  after 
the  flowering  period,  produce  pods  several  feet  in  length. 
Crab's-eyes,  Circassian  Beads,  and  other  tropical  seeds  are 
pretty,  and  strung  by  the  natives  into  necklaces  and  various 
ornaments.  Laburnums  (Bealaidh  Frangach,  I.)  and  some 
species  of  Broom  and  Genista  thrive  near  the  sea  and  are 
highly  ornamental.  Lupins  (Searbhan  Faolchon,  I.)  are 
among  the  handsomest  of  early  summer-flowering  herbaceous 
plants. 

Ulex,  L. 

U.  europceus,  L.  —  Whin,  Furze,  or  Gorse.  Conasg ; 
Beala'ach.  Abundant  in  places.  A  green  dye  is  obtained 
from  the  bark.  The  young  growths  are  eaten  by  cattle, 
and  during  the  flowering  period  the  plant  is  reputed  to  give 
a  rich  yellow  colour  to  butter. — March.  Sometimes  sown  as 
a  forage  plant  on  the  mainland  (at  the  rate  of  20  to  30  Ibs. 
per  acre).  It  was  cultivated  for  this  purpose  in  England  as 
early  as  1725,  and  a  century  previous  to  that  in  Wales. 
The  tops  are  crushed  before  giving  them  to  cattle. 


112  COLONSAY 

Cytisus,  L. 

C.  scoparius,  Link. — Broom.  Bealaidh.  Eecorded  by  Mr 
Miller.  Within  living  memory  two  plants  existed :  one  on 
an  uncultivated  hillock  in  Caolachadh,  and  one  in  Glaic-a- 
Chuill.  Like  the  whin,  it  yields  a  green  dye. 

Ononis,  L. 

0.  repens,  L. — Best  or  Wrest  Harrow.  Sreang  Bogha,  C. 
Sandy  ground,  Kiloran  Bay. — Per.,  August.  The  rootstock 
creeps  underground,  and  is  sufficiently  tough  to  obstruct 
agricultural  implements  during  tilling  operations ;  hence  the 
common  English  name. 

Medicago,  L. 

A  genus  of  useful  forage  plants.  Purple  Medick  or 
Lucerne  is  suitable  for  sowing  in  light,  sandy  soils,  its  roots 
penetrating  the  subsoil  sometimes  to  the  depth  of  10  to  12 
feet.  It  is  not  so  much  cultivated  in  Scotland. 

M.  sp. — Specimens  found  at  the  edge  of  a  field  in 
Machrins  did  not  arrive  at  sufficient  maturity  to  be  certain 
whether  they  were  M.  sylvestris,  Fr.,  or  M.  falcata,  L. — 
August. 

M.  lupulina,  L. — Black  Medick ;  Nonsuch.  Common  in 
the  vicinity  of  cultivated  fields.  —  Ann.  or  Bi.,  June. 
Although  the  produce  is  bulky,  cattle  are  not  very  fond  of 
it,  and  only  eat  it  with  seeming  relish  when  mixed  up  with 
more  nutritious  and  esteemed  food. 

Trifolium,  L. 

T.  pratense,  L. — Red  or  Purple  Clover.  Seamrag  Dhearg. 
Sugag,  C.  In  Kilchattan,  where  it  used  to  thrive  most 
luxuriantly  as  a  forage  crop  and  give  several  cuttings  in 
the  season,  it  will  now  hardly  grow,  the  ground  probably 
having  become  what  is  termed  "clover  sick." — Bi.  or  Per., 


THE  FLORA  113 

July.  Its  culture  was  introduced  to  England  from  Flanders 
by  Sir  Richard  Weston  in  1645,  but  it  was  not  cultivated 
in  Scotland  till  1720-30. 

T.  medium,  L. — Zigzag  or  Meadow  Clover.  Interstices 
in  rocks,  Baile-Mhaide. — Per.,  July. 

T.  hybridum,  L. — Alsike  Clover.  Garden  weed.  Kiloran. 
— Per.,  August.  It  is  one  of  the  best  of  perennial  clovers, 
and  it  has  been  found  to  thrive  in  soils  which  are  termed 
by  farmers  "  clover  sick." 

T.  repens,  L. — White  or  Dutch  Clover.  Seamrag  Gheal. 
Common.  The  finding  of  the  four-leaved  Clover  (Seamrag- 
nam-Buadh)  was  regarded  as  a  sign  of  good  luck. — Per.,  June. 
It  is  now  used  as  the  national  emblem  of  Ireland,  although 
believed  to  be  a  plant  of  comparatively  recent  introduction 
to  that  country.  Oxalis  acetosella,  the  Common  Wood  Sorrel, 
is  said  to  have  been  the  original  "  shamrock."  ,  "  An  indis- 
pensable ingredient  of  pastures,  but  where  it  is  too  prevalent 
it  has  a  tendency  to  scour  the  cattle  which  graze  on  it." 

T.  procumbens,  L. — Hop  Trefoil.  Pasture,  Kiloran. — 
Ann.,  July. 

T.  dubium,  Sibth. — Small  Yellow  Trefoil.  Seangan,  C. 
Uncultivated  hillocks,  Lower  Kilchattan. — Ann.,  June. 

Anthyllis,  L. 

A.  Vulneraria,  L.  —  Kidney  Vetch;  Lady's  -  fingers. 
Meoir  Mhuire;  Cas-an-Uain,  C.  Common  on  dry,  unculti- 
vated hillocks  and  rocky  places. — Per.,  July.  It  was 
celebrated  from  early  times  as  a  plant  that  was  efficacious 
in  the  cure  of  wounds. 

Lotus,  L. 

L.  corniculatus,  L. — Bird's-foot  Trefoil.  Blathan-buidhe- 
nam-B6.  Abundant  in  dry  situations.  It  is  said  to  impart 
a  good  yellow  colour  to  butter. — Per.,  July.  It  is  eaten 

8 


114  COLONSAY 

with  avidity  by  cattle,  and  owing  to  the  depth  to  which  it 
sends  its  roots  into  the  ground  it  remains  green  when  other 
plants  are  burnt  up  by  drought. 

L.  uliginosus,  Schkuhr. — A  much  larger  plant  in  all  its 
parts  than  the  preceding,  and  common  in  moist  situations. — 
Per.,  August. 

Astragalus,  L. 

A.  danicus,  Retz. — Recorded  by  Mr  Grieve. — Per. 

Vicia,  L. 

V.  hirsuta,  Gray. — Hairy  Tare.  Peasair  Luchag.  Lower 
Kilchattan ;  locally  regarded  as  indicating  poor  soils. — Ann., 
July. 

V.  Cracca,  L. — Tufted  Vetch.  Caornan.  Hedges,  and 
borders  of  fields. — Per.,  July. 

V.  sepium,  L. — Bush  Vetch.  Peasair-nan-Each.  Road- 
sides ;  frequent. — Per.,  June. 

V.  sativa,  L. — Common  Vetch.  Peasair  Capuill.  Corn- 
fields.— Ann.,  August. 

V.  angustifolia,  L. — Narrow-leaved  Vetch.  Recorded  by 
Mr  Somerville. — Ann. 

V.  lathyroides,  L. — Spring  Vetch.  Only  seen  on  Cnoc 
Eibriginn. — Ann.,  May. 

Lathyrm,  L. 

L.  pratensis,  L. — Meadow  Pea.  Peasair  Bhuidhe,  C. 
•Common  in  moist  places. — Per.,  July. 

L.  sylvestris,  L. — Everlasting  Pea.  Recorded  by  Mr 
Orieve. — Per. 

L.  montanus,  Bernh.  —  Heath  Vetch;  Heath  Pea. 
•Corra-Meille.  The  tuberous  roots  were  dug  up  and  eaten 
raw,  or  tied  in  bundles  and  hung  up  to  the  kitchen 
roof  to  dry,  and  afterwards  roasted.  Used  for  flavouring 


THE  FLORA  115 

whisky.  The  wooden  trowel  for  digging  up  the  roots  was 
called  "pleadhag."  A  plant  with  stringy  roots,  occasionally 
dug  up  by  mistake,  was  known  as  Corra-Meille  Capuill. 
—Per.,  July. 

ROSACES  (the  Rose  family). 

The  order  includes  the  best  of  our  hardy  fruits — Apple 
<Ubhal),  Pear  (Peur),  Plum  (Plumbas),  Peach  (Pietseog,  I.), 
Cherry  (Sirist),  Strawberry,  and  Raspberry.  Other  species — 
Spiraeas,  Roses,  etc. — are  characterised  by  the  beauty  and 
the  fragrance  of  their  blossom.  The  seeds  of  the  drupaceous 
fruits — Plum — yield  the  highly  poisonous  prussic  acid. 

Prunus,  L. 

The  only  British  genus  Avith  a  stone  fruit,  including  the 
Bullace  (Bulastair,  C.),  Damson  (Daimsin,  C.),  Gean  (Geanais, 
C.),  Wild  Cherry  (Craobh  Shirist),  and  Bird  Cherry  (Craobh 
Fhiodag,  C.).  P.  persica,  a  supposed  native  of  Persia  or 
China,  is  the  parent  of  the  many  delicious  varieties  of  Peach 
and  Nectarine  (Neochdair,  C.)  now  to  be  obtained.  Other 
fruit  belonging  to  this  genus  are  the  Apricot  (Pruine 
Airmeineach,  I.),  from  Central  Asia;  Prunes  (Plumbais 
Seargtha,  I.),  the  fruit  of  a  species  of  plum  dried  in  heated 
ovens,  largely  in  France;  Sweet  Almonds  (Cno-Almoin), 
the  kernels  of  the  fruit,  from  North  Africa  and  South 
Europe.  Almond  oil  is  expressed  from  Bitter  Almonds. 
The  Common  Laurel  (P.  lauro-cerasus)  and  the  Portugal 
Laurel  (P.  lusitanicus)  are  among  our  most  useful  ever- 
greens. 

P.  spinosa,  L. — Blackthorn ;  Sloe.  Sgitheach  Dubh ; 
Draighionn-Dubh.  Near  sandy  shores  it  forms  low,  almost 
unimpenetrable  thickets.  Sloes  (Airneag)  are  now  rarely 
produced. — April.  In  Ireland,  one  of  the  favourite  woods 
for  the  "  shillelah." 


116  COLONSAY 

Spiraea,  L. 

S.  Ulmaria,  L. — Meadow-sweet ;  Queen  of  the  Meadows. 
Luibh-a-Chneas.  (Lus - Cneas - Chuchulainn).  Banks  of 
ditches  and  moist  meadows.  Used  in  dyeing. — Per.,  July. 

Rubus,  L. 

A  large  genus,  comprising  in  Britain  some  two  hundred 
kinds  of  brambles  alone.  The  Cloudberry  (Oidhreag),  a 
miniature  bramble  without  prickles,  occurs  on  the  Scottish 
mountains.  The  following  were  identified  by  the  Rev.  W. 
Moyle  Rogers,  F.L.S.  They  were  collected  from  the  east 
and  north-east  half  of  the  island  when  it  was  well  on  in 
September,  rather  too  late  in  the  season  for  easy  identification. 

R.  idceus,  Linn. — Raspberry.  Suth-Craobh.  Now  well 
established  in  Kiloran  woods. — July. 

(?)  R.  Rogersii,  Linton. — Specimens  not  sufficiently  good 
to  be  named  with  certainty. 

R.  plicatus,  Wh.  and  N.— -Moist,  peaty  ground.  Ceann 
Locha. 

R.  rhamnifolius,  Wh.  and  N. — Rocky  ground  near  the 
shore,  Slochd-na-Sgarbh. 

R.  dumnoniensis,  Bab. — Rocky  ground,  Slochd-nam-Bodach. 
Mr  M' Vicar  found  this  one  of  the  commonest  Brambles  in 
Mull,  Lismore,  and  various  places  on  the  mainland. 

R.  pulcherrimus,  Neum. — Bramble  ;  Blackberry.  Dreas- 
na-Smeur ;  Smeuran.  One  of  the  commonest  kinds  in 
the  island.  An  orange  dye  was  obtained  from  the  roots. 
The  leaves  were  applied  to  burns.  Fruit  much  esteemed  in 
jam  and  jelly  making. 

R.  Selmeri,  Lindeb. — Fairly  common  about  Kiloran. 

R.  pubescens,  Weihe.  —  Clais-na-Faochag ;  rather  com- 
mon. "A  very  luxuriant  form,  nearer  to  my  variety 
subinermis,  Rogers,  than  to  the  type  "  (Rev.  W.  M.  R.). 

R.   pubescens-subinermis,    f.  —  "I   am   greatly  interested 


THE  FLORA  117 

in  the  — pubescens-subinermis  form,  as  it  is  not  only  the 
only  example  that  I  have  seen  from  Scotland,  but  it  also  is 
not  strictly  identical  with  either  our  type  or  variety." 
Hillocks,  Scalasaig  meadows,  on  the  "  Scalasaig  granite." 

R.  macrophyllus,  Wh.  and  N.,  b  Sclilechtendalii  (Weihe). 
— Open  situation,  Kiloran  woods.  ^ 

R.  dumetorum,  Wh.  and  N. — One  of  the  commonest  road- 
side brambles.  Eev.  W.  Moyle  Rogers  wrote  with  regard 
to  a  number  of  specimens  submitted  :  "  All,  or  nearly  all, 
one  and  the  same  form  apparently,  but  hardly  agreeing 
well  with  any  of  our  named  varieties." 

R.  corylifolius,  Sm. — Recorded  by  Mr  Miller. 

R.  ccesius,  Linn. — Dewberry.  Preas-nan-gorm-Dhearc,  C. 
Growing  in  a  heap  of  stones,  seaside,  Slochd-dubh-Mhic-a-Phi. 

R.  saxatilis  L. — Stone  Bramble.  (Caora-bada-Miann.) 
Recorded  by  Mr  Somerville. 

Geum,  L. 

G.  urbanum,  L. — Common  Avens  ;  Herb  Bennet.  (Machall 
Coille.)  Northern  slopes  of  Beinn-nan-Giidairean. — Per., 
August  At  one  time  used  in  medicine. 

G.  rivale,  L. — Water  Avens.  (Machall  Uisge.)  Damp 
gullies  below  Uragaig. — Per.,  July.  The  root-stocks  of  all 
these  are  powerfully  astringent,  and  also  yield  a  yellow 
dye.  C. 

Fragaria,  L. 

F.  vesca,  L.— Wild  Strawberry.  Suth-Lair.  Abundant 
on  dry  slopes  on  the  eastern  half  of  the  island.  The  fruits 
are  gathered  by  children. — Per.,  May. 

Potentilta,  L. 

P.  norvegica,  L. — Vacant  ground,  Kiloran,  —  Ann., 
August.  An  alien,  now  spreading  in  the  country. 

P.  sterilis,  Garcke. — Barren  Strawberry.  Ledges  of  rocks, 
Tigh  Iain  Daraich.— Per.,  May. 


118  COLONSAY 

P.  erecta,  Hampe. — Tormentil.  Braonan  a'  Mhadadh 
ruaidh.  Abundant  in  heaths  and  moors.  The.  roots  were 
boiled  and  strained,  and  the  juice  given,  in  milk,  to  calves  as 
an  astringent.  It  was  also  given  to  human  beings. — Per., 
July.  Boots  dye  red.  W.  It  is  generally  used  for  tanning 
their  nets  by  fishermen  in  the  Western  Isles,  who  call  it 
"  Cairt-Lair."  C. 

P.  reptans,  L. — Creeping  Cinquefoil.  (A'  Choig-bhileach.) 
Edge  of  pool,  Cul-Salach  ;  rare.— Per.,  August. 

P.  Anserina,  L. — Silver  weed.  Brisgean.  Barr  Bhrisgean, 
C.  Growing  at  the  seaside  down  to  high-water  mark.  The 
roots  were  gathered  and  eaten  raw  and  also  boiled  like 
potatoes.  The  local  value,  in  former  times,  attached  to  this 
as  an  article  of  food  may  be  realised  from  the  fact  that  it  was 
termed  "an  seachdamh  aran  "  (the  seventh  bread). — Per.,  July. 

P.  palustris,  Scop.  —  Marsh  Cinquefoil.  C6ig-bhileach 
Uisge  ;  Cno  Leana,  C.  Abundant  in  marshes. — Per.,  June. 

Alchemilla,  L. 

A.  arvensis,  Scop. — Parsley  Piert.  Spionan  Mhuire,  I. 
Common  in  dry  situations. — Ann.,  July.  It  was  formerly 
eaten  raw  or  pickled.  W. 

A.  vulgaris,  L.,  b  alpestris,  Pohl. — Lady's  Mantle.  Dearna 
Cridhe.  Copan  an  Driuchd,  C.  Pastures. — Per.,  July. 
Owing  to  its  astringent  properties  it  is  said  to  be  fatal 
to  cows  if  they  eat  it  in  large  quantities.  W.  A  decoction 
from  the  plant  was  believed  to  have  the  effect  of  restoring 
faded  beauty,  and  an  application  of  the  dew  from  the 
leaves  was  credited  with  similarly  happy  results. 

Rosa,  L. 

It  is  but  fitting  that  the  hybridiser  should  not  have  spared 
his  best  efforts  in  procuring  adequate  representatives  of  this, 
the  queen  of  flowers,  and  the  emblem  of  the  "  predominant 
partner  "  in  the  Empire.  From  a  comparatively  small  number 


THE   FLORA  119 

of  species  the  3000  or  so  of  varieties  now  in  cultivation 
have  been  produced.  These  are,  for  convenience,  grouped 
into  many  classes  —  Tea  Scented,  Hybrid  Teas,  Hybrid 
Perpetuals,  Climbing,  Eamblers,  Chinese,  Ayrshire,  etc. 
They  are  of  all  sizes,  from  the  miniature  fairy  roses,  less 
than  1  foot  in  height,  to  strong  climbers  which  send  out 
shoots  12  feet  long,  and  more,  each  season.  There  are 
singles  and  doubles  in  almost  every  conceivable  shade  of 
colour.  Otto  or  attar  of  roses — the  finest  perfume  prepared 
— is  obtained,  by  distillation,  from  the  petals  of  various 
sweet-scented  kinds.  As  a  political  emblem — e.g.  the  Red 
Rose  of  the  House  of  Lancaster,  the  White  Rose  of  the 
House  of  York,  etc. — the  Rose  is  historical.  The  best  of  our 
garden  varieties  are  budded  on  to  the  Briar  or  some  other 
hardy  kinds.  The  following,  collected  in  the  north-eastern 
end  of  the  island  (in  September  mostly),  were  kindly  named 
by  Mr  W.  Barclay,  Perth. 

JR.  spinosissima,  L. — Burnet  or  Scottish  Rose.  Dreas-nam- 
Mucag.  Dry  slopes  and  banks.  A  fine  brown  dye  (with 
copperas)  is  obtained  from  the  plant. — June.  The  Scottish 
Roses  have  originated  from  this  species. 

R.  spinosissima,  f.  —  Sheltered  situation,  Glasaird. 
Specimens  of  this,  which  were  at  first  thought  to  be  the 
var.  Ripartii,  Desegl,  have  been  described  by  Mr  Barclay  as 
"a  variation  which  differs  from  the  type  in  having  glandular 
peduncles,  teeth  of  the  leaves  irregular,  many  simple  teeth, 
but  with  a  good  many  having  a  toothlet  attached,  which 
sometimes  bears  a  gland.  I  do  not  think  it  has  been 
specially  named.  Var.  Ripartii  has  composite  glandular  teeth, 
and  besides  has  the  midrib  and  veins  of  the  underside  of 
the  leaves  more  or  less  glandular,  which  is  not  the  case  with 
the  specimens  submitted." — June. 

R.  tomentosa,  Sm. — Rudha-na-Coille-bige  ;  not  uncommon. 
"The  tomentosa  forms  do  not  differ  very  much  from  each 


120  COLONSAY 

other;  they  seem  to  belong  to  the  same  group  of  varia- 
tions." 

R.  Eglanteria,  Huds. — Sweet  Briar.  Dreas  Chubhraidh. 
Kiloran  woods. — September.  This  species  is  frequently 
planted  for  the  fragrance  of  its  leaves. 

R.  Eglanteria,  b  comosa  (Rip.). — Caolachadh  wood. 

R.  canina,  L.,  a  lutetiana  (Le'man). — Dog-rose.  Earra- 
Dhreas.  Port-a-Bhuailtein ;  common.  Mucag-fhailm  =  hip 
of  rose. — September.  The  leaves  of  every  species  of  Rose,  but 
especially  of  this,  are  recommended  as  a  substitute  for  tea, 
when  dried  and  infused  in  boiling  water.  W. 

R.  canina,  L.,  g  dumalis  (Bechst.). — Rocky  ground,  Claise- 
na-Faochag. 

R.  glauca,  Vill. — Caolachadh  wood.  Mr  Barclay  remarks 
of  the  somewhat  scanty  material  submitted  for  examination  : 
"  Seems  to  be  a  glauca  form,  but  not  well  characterised.  No.  2 
apparently  the  same,  but  even  more  distant  from  the  type." 

R.  coriifolia,  Fr.,  var. — Wood,  Ceann  Locha.  "  The  rose 
you  send  is  a  var.  of  R.  coriifolia,  Fr.,  with  very  glaucous, 
hairy  leaflets,  composite  glandular  toothing,  somewhat 
glandular  on  the  midrib,  and  with  a  gland  here  and  there  on 
the  secondary  veins ;  peduncles  and  backs  of  the  sepals 
glandular,  and  with  broadly  oval  or  somewhat  obovate  fruits, 
also  more  or  less  glandular.  It  does  not  really  correspond 
with  any  named  variety  known  to  me,  but  may  be  considered 
as  somewhat  intermediate  between  Watsoni  (Baker)  and 
JSakeri  (Desegl)  "  (W.  B.). 

Pyrus,  L. 

Shrubs  and  trees  with  showy  flowers.  From  the  Crab 
Apple  (Craobh  Ubhal  Fhiadhain)  the  innumerable  varieties 
now  in  cultivation  have  sprung.  The  best  kinds  in  this 
country  are  grafted  on  to  the  Crab  or  Paradise  stocks — the 
former  for  large,  the  latter  for  dwarf  trees.  For  general 
cultivation  the  Apple  is  the  most  profitable  of  all  our  fruits. 


THE  FLORA  121 

The  varieties  which  have  sprung  from  the  Wild  Pear  (Craobh 
Pheur  Fhiadhain)  are  hardly  leas  numerous  than  in  the 
case  of  the  Apple.  The  Quince  (Cuinnse),  Medlar  (Meidil), 
Service  (Che6rais,  C.),  etc.,  bear  edible  fruit. 

P.  Aria,  Ehrh. — Introduced.     Kiloran  woods. — May. 

P.  Aucuparia,  Ehrh. — Kowan  ;  Mountain  Ash.  Caora- 
daorthainn  ;  Caorthann.  One  of  our  prettiest  native  trees, 
adorned  in  early  summer  with  cymes  of  white  blossom  and 
later  with  clusters  of  scarlet  fruit. — June.  Any  part  of 
the  tree  was  regarded  in  some  parts  of  the  Highlands  as  a 
sovereign  charm  against  enchantment  and  witchcraft.  C. 

P.  Mains,  L. — Apple-tree.  Craobh  Ubhal.  One  tree 
growing  naturally  among  whin  bushes  near  Bealach-a- 
Mhadaidh. — June. 

Cratcegus  L. 

C.  Oxyacantha,  L. — Hawthorn ;  May.  Draighionn  (geal). 
Often  seen  in  the  vicinity  of  ruins.  Used  for  hedges. 
Sgeachag  =  Haw  (fruit). — May.  Cultivated  forms,  in  various 
shades  from  white  to  scarlet,  are  numerous. 

SAXIFRAGACE^E  (the  Saxifrage  family) 

Exotic  genera  include  shrubs  and  trees,  of  which 
Hydrangea,  Escallonia,  Deutzia,  Mock  Orange,  are  familiar 
garden  examples,  thriving  locally. 

Saxifraga,  L. 

The  varieties  are  numerous,  and  useful  for  rockeries,  also 
suitable  for  shady  situations.  "  Highland  "  species  are  to  be 
found  on  the  higher  mountains  of  the  northern  isles. 

S.  umbrosa,  L. — London  Pride.  (Cal  Phkruig.)  Intro- 
duced.— Per.,  June.  A  Continental  plant  which,  by  long 
cultivation,  has  become  established  in  this  country. 


122  COLONSAY 

S.  tridactylites,  L.  —  Rue-leaved  Saxifrage ;  Rock-foil. 
Rocky  hills  at  Poll  Gorm  and  Cr6isebrig  near  the  shore. 
One  of  the  tiniest  of  local  plants. — Ann.  or  Bi.,  May. 

S.  hypnoides,  L. — Mossy  Saxifrage.  Locality  uncertain, 
—Per. 

Chrysosplenium,  L. 

G.  oppositifolium,  L. — Golden  Saxifrage.  (Lus-nan-Laogh.) 
Gloiris,  I.  In  early  summer  it  carpets  the  woods,  in  moist,, 
shaded  situations,  with  its  golden  blossom. — Per.,  May. 

Parnassia,  L. 

P.  palustris,  L. — Grass  of  Parnassus.  Fionnan  Geal ; 
Fionnsgoth,  C.  Moist  ground  near  the  seashore  in  Garvard, 
the  Glen,  etc. — Per.,  July. 

Ribes,  L. 

R.  Grossularia,  L. — The  Gooseberry.  Groiseid.  Kiloran 
woods,  to  which  the  seeds  were  carried  from  neighbouring 
gardens  by  birds. — May. 

R.  rubrum,  L. — Red  Currant.  Dearcan  Dearg.  Kiloran 
plantations.  The  White  Currant  (Dearcan  Geal)  is  only 
a  form  of  this  species,  and  red  and  white  fruit  are  sometimes 
to  be  seen  on  the  same  bush. — April. 

R.  nigrum,  L. — Black  Currant.  Dearcan  Dubh.  Among 
Whins,  Cnoc  Reamhar-mor,  and  plantations,  Kiloran. — April. 

CRASSULACE^E  (the  Craesula  family) 

Xerophytic  plants,  with  crowded,  succulent  leaves,  often 
growing  in  rocky  or  sandy  situations.  Various  kinds  of 
Sedum,  House  Leek  (Lus-nan-Cluas,  C.),  Navelwort  (Lam- 
hainn  Cat  Leacain),  etc.,  are  commonly  grown  in  gardens, 
their  neat  habit  and  slow  growth  making  them  suitable  for 
edgings  and  carpet-bedding  designs. 


THE   FLORA  123 

Sedum,  L. 

S.  roseum,  Scop. — Roseroot.  (Lus-nan-Laoch.)  Clefts  and 
ledges  of  the  sea-rocks  of  the  northern  shore. — Per.,  May.  The 
root,  which  furnishes  an  astringent,  has  the  fragrance  of  a  rose, 
particularly  when  dried.  W.  The  badge  of  the  Clan  Gunn. 

S.  anglicum,  Huds. — Stonecrop.  Garbhan  Creige. 
Abundant.  Pounded  together  with  groundsel,  it  was  used 
to  reduce  swellings,  particularly  on  horses. — Per.,  July.  It 
was  formerly  eaten  as  a  salad,  and  considered  a  delicacy. 
C.  Locally  also  known  by  the  younger  people  as  Biadh 
Seangain ;  Biadh-an-t-Sionnaich. 

S.  acre,  L. — Wall  Pepper;  Biting  Stonecrop.  Grafan- 
nan-Clach,  C.  Not  uncommon  in  sandy  and  rocky  situa- 
tions round  the  shores. — Per.,  June. 

DROSERACE.E  (the  Sundew  family) 
A  small  order,  confined  in  Britain  to  the  following  genus. 

Drosera,  L. 

Insectivorous  plants  (perennials)  obtaining  their  nitrogen 
from  the  bodies  of  insects  which  they  assimilate.  The 
upper  surface  of  the  leaves  is  clothed  with  curious  viscid 
hairs,  each  terminated  by  a  small  gland.  These  glands 
secrete  a  sticky  fluid,  to  which  small  insects  that  are 
attracted  to  the  plants  adhere.  The  irritation  set  up  by 
their  struggles  to  free  themselves  causes  the  leaves  to  close 
up,  effectively  imprisoning  their  tiny  victims.  After  they 
are  assimilated,  the  leaves,  often  encumbered  with  skeletons 
of  those  already  digested,  open  out  to  entrap  more  insects. 

D.  rotundifolia,  L. — Sundew.  Lus-na-Fearnaich.  Abun- 
dant in  peat-bogs. — July.  The  whole  plant  is  acrid,  and  suffi- 
ciently caustic  to  erode  the  skin ;  but  some  ladies  mix  the 


124  COLONSAY 

juice  with  milk  so  as  to  make  it  an  innocent  and  safe 
application  to  remove  freckles  and  sunburns.  W. 

D.  anglica,  Huds. — Long-leaved  sundew.  Bogs  near 
Loch  Colla;  rare. — July. 

D.  longifolia,  L.  —  Marshy  ground,  Bioma-mhor, 
Machrins. — August. 

HALORAGACE.E  (The  Mare's-tail  family) 

Principally  aquatic  herbs.  Hippuris  vulgaris  (Mare's-tail) 
has  been  recorded  from  Tiree  and  the  Outer  Hebrides. 

Myriophyllum,  L. 

M.  spicatum,  L. — Water  Milfoil.  East  Loch  Fada  and 
Loch  Sgoltaire. — Per.,  August. 

M.  alterniflorum,  DC.  —  Whorled  Milfoil.  Snathainn 
Bhathadh,  C.  A  much  commoner  plant  than  the  preceding ; 
at  the  edge  of  the  lochs  and  in  burns. — Per.,  July. 

Callitriche,  L. 

C.  stagnalis,  Scop. — Water  Starwort.  Biolair-ioc.  Abun- 
dant in  shallow  waters.  Formerly  used  as  an  ingredient  in 
plasters  for  promoting  suppuration. — Per.,  June. 

C.  intermedia,  Hoffm. — Slow-flowing  burn,  Kiloran. — June. 
(C.  hamulata,  Kuetz.—  A.  B.) 

G.  autumnalis,  L. — Autumnal  Starwort.  Common  in 
the  deeper  water  of  the  lochs. — July. 

LYTHRACE^;  (the  Loosestrife  family) 

The  few  British  representatives  of  the  order  are  herbs. 
Some  exotic  species  are  valuable  for  their  timber ;  others 
furnish  fruit,  dyes,  etc.  The  pomegranate  (Gran-Abhal)  is 
mentioned  in  Deuteronomy  as  one  of  the  products  of 
Palestine. 


THE  FLORA  125 

Peplis,  L. 

P.  Portula,  L. — Water  Purslane.  Ditch,  roadside  between 
Machrins  and  Scalasaig.  Not  uncommon. — Ann.,  July. 

Lythrum,  L. 

L.  Salicaria,  L. — Purple  Loosestrife.  Creachdach.  Lus- 
na-sith-Chainnt,  C.  Abundant  in  wet  situations. — Per., 
August. 

ONAGRACB^;  (the  (Enothera  family) 

Fuchsias  from  Chili  are  familiar  garden  representatives  of 
the  order. 

Epilobium,  L. 

E.  angustifolium,  L. — French  Willow;  Eose  Bay. 
Seilachan  Frangach,  C.  Introduced,  and  now  spreading  in 
sheltered  situations  in  Kiloran. — Per.,  August. 

JE.  parviflowm,  Schreb. — Hoary  Willow-herb.  Damp 
situation,  Balanahard. — Per.,  September. 

E.  montanum,  L. — Broad  Willow-herb.  An  Seilachan, 
C.  Crevices  in  rocks,  Balaromin-mor. — Per.,  July. 

E.  obscurum,  Schreb. — Ditch,  Kiloran ;  common  in  wet 
situations. — Per.,  July. 

E.  palustre,  L. — Marsh  Willow-herb.  Marshy  places. — 
Per.,  July. 

Circcea,  L. 

G.  lutetiana,  L. — Enchanter's  Nightshade.  Fuinnseach,  C. 
Growing  among  rolled  stones,  seaside,  Uragaig.  Local. — 
Per.,  August. 

0.  alpina,  L. — Kecorded  by  Mr  Miller. 

UMBELLIFBR^:  (the  Umbellate  family) 

One  of  the  largest  British  orders,  herbs,  generally  easily 
recognised  by  their  deeply  divided  leaves  and  flowers 


126  COLONSAY 

arranged  in  umbels.  In  this  great  group  there  are  few  of 
decorative  value,  but  some — Celery  (Seilere,  I.),  Carrot 
(Curran),  Parsnip  (Curran  Geal),  Skirrets  (Brislean) — are 
{or  were)  valued  as  esculents,  and  others — Parsley  (Fionnas 
Garaidh),  Fennel  (Lus-an-t-Saoidh),  Angelica  (Lus-nam 
Buadh),  Anise  (Anis;  Ainis  Ciibhraidh,  I.),  Coriander  (Lus- 
a-Choire),  Dill  (Dile ;  Lus  Min,  I.),  Chervil  (Costag-a'-Bhaile 
Gheamhraidh),  Alexanders  (Lus  nan  Gran  Dubh) — are 
grown  as  pot-herbs,  and  for  garnishing,  medicine,  etc. 
Hemlock,  Fool's  Parsley,  Dropwort,  and  others  have  poison- 
ous properties. 

Hydrocotyle,  L. 

H.  vulgaris,  L.  —  Marsh  Pennywort.  Lus-na-Peighinn. 
Oibheall  Uisge,  I.  Forming  part  of  the  bottom  herbage 
in  wet  situations. — Per.,  July.  It  is  said  to  be  injurious 
to  sheep,  producing  white  rot. 

Eryngium,  L. 

E.  maritimum,  L. — Sea  Holly.  Cuilionn  Traghadh.  One 
specimen  seen  growing  at  the  edge  of  the  blown  sands, 
Dunan  Easdail.  It  was  gradually  eaten  up  by  sheep,  and 
did  not  flower. — Per.  The  roots  are  sometimes  preserved 
in  sugar  and  eaten  as  a  sweetmeat. 

Sanicula,  L. 

S.  europcea,  L. — Wood  Sanicle.  (Bodan  Coille.)  Abun- 
dant in  Kiloran  woods,  and  also  seen  in  Coille  Bheag. — 
Per.,  June.  In  former  times  it  possessed  a  high  reputation 
for  healing  wounds. 

Conium,  L. 

C.  maculatum,  L. — Hemlock.  (Minmhear.)  A  highly 
poisonous  biennial.  Balaromin-mor  and  Lower  Kilchattan. 
—  July.  Used  in  medicine  as  a  sedative  and  antispasmodic. 


THE  FLORA  127 

Apium,  L. 

Occupants  generally  of  marshy  situations.  A.  graveolens, 
L.,  is  the  Wild  Celery  (Lus  na  Smalaig,  C.),  a  native  of  sea- 
coast  districts  of  England  and  Wales. 

A.  nodiflorum,  Reichb.  fil. — Procumbent  Marshwort.  In 
streams  where  they  enter  into  the  sea  at  Kiloran  Bay  and 
Port  Sgibinis. — Per.,  July. 

A.  inundatum,  Reichb.  fil. — Least  Marshwort.  Fualactar, 
C.  Slow-flowing  part  of  Abhuinn-a-Ghlinne. — Per.,  June. 
(Helosciadium  inundatum,  A.  B.) 

Carum,  L. 

(?)  C.  Carvi,  L. — Caraway.  Carbhaidh.  In  the  neighbour- 
hood of  old  gardens.  The  so-called  seeds  (carpels)  were  used 
for  flavouring  oat-cakes. — July. 

^Egopodium,  L. 

A.  Podagraria,  L. — Gout  weed  ;  Bishopweed.  (Lus-an- 
Easbuig.)  A  troublesome  garden  weed. — Per.,  July. 

Pimpinella,  L. 

A  numerous  genus,  including  P.  anisum,  the  fruit  (Aniseed) 
of  which  is  aromatic  and  carminative  and  largely  employed 
in  medicine. 

P.  Saxifraga,  L. — Burnet  Saxifrage.  Roadside,  Kiloran ; 
rare. — Per.,  July. 

Conopodium,  Koch. 

C.  majus,  Loret. — Earthnut;  Pignut.  Braonan  Coille. 
Abundant  in  well-drained  situations  in  the  north-east  of  the 
island.  The  globular  root-tuber  was  dug  up  and  eaten  by 
children. — Per.,  June. 


128  COLONSAY 

Myrrhis,  Scop. 

M.  Odorata,  Scop.— Sweet  Cicely.  (Cos  Uisge.)  Dry 
situations  in  Kiloran  woods  and  Ardskenish  Glen. — Per., 
July. 

Anthriscus,  Bernh. 

The  genus  includes  A.  Cerefoliuin  (Chervil),  which  is 
cultivated  as  a  pot-herb. 

A.  sylvestris,  Hoffm. — Wild  Chervil.  A  weed  of  waste 
places,  recorded  by  Messrs  Grieve  and  Somerville. — Bi. 

Crithmum,  L. 

G.  maritimum,  L.  — Sea  Samphire.  Saimbhir,  C.  Seen  in 
one  place  on  the  rocky  shore.  Kecorded  by  Mr  Somerville  in 
1906. — Per.,  July.  It  has  recently  been  discovered  in  the 
Outer  Hebrides.  Samphire  is  much  sought  after  for  pickling, 
sometimes  at  the  risk  of  human  life  (men  being  suspended 
from  the  rocks  by  ropes),  though  other  plants  procured  at  less 
hazard,  as  Salicornia  and  Aster,  are  frequently  substituted. 
W.  It  is  cultivated  as  a  salad  and  for  seasoning. 

(Enanthe,  L. 

(E.  Lachenalii,  C.  Gmel. — Parsley  Dropwort.  Edge  of 
shore  pools  south  of  Port-mor. — Per.,  July. 

(E.  crocata,  L. — Hemlock  Water  Dropwort.  Aiteodha. 
Abundant  on  the  banks  of  streams  and  in  wet  gullies  at  the 
shore.  Used  in  poultices.  The  green  leaves  are  often 
eaten  with  impunity  by  cattle  in  the  summer  time,  but  the 
roots  are  poisonous.  A  number  of  years  since,  eight  stirks 
died  after  eating  the  roots  which  had  been  thrown  out  of  a 
ditch  when  cleaning  it  in  the  winter  time. — Per.,  July. 

Ligusticum,  L. 

L.  scoticum,  L. — Scottish  Lovage.  (Siunas.)  Plentiful  in 
the  rocks  of  Meall-a-Chuilbh  with  a  northern  exposure. — 


THE  FLORA  129 

Per.,  July.  The  root  is  reckoned  a  carminative,  and  an 
infusion  of  the  leaves  in  whey  is  good  physic  for  calves.  Ifc 
is,  besides,  used  as  a  food,  eaten  raw  as  a  salad  or  boiled 
as  greens.  Pennant's  Tour,  1772. 

Angelica,  L. 

A  small  genus,  including  A.  A  rchangelica  (Garden  Angelica), 
a  native  of  the  Continent,  and  long  cultivated  for  con- 
fectionery. 

A.  sylvestris,  L. — Wild  Angelica.  Geobhastan.  Woods 
and  moist  situations.  Children  make  "  squirting-guns  "  out 
of  the  hollow  stems.  The  flowering  umbel  was  locally 
known  as  Bollachdan.  In  the  winter  time  rabbits  burrow 
into  the  ground  and  eat  the  root-stock. — Per.,  July. 

Peucedanum,  L. 

P.  sativum  is  the  common  Parsnip  (CurranGeal),  a  native 
of  the  south  of  England,  and  the  parent  of  the  present 
cultivated  forms. 

(?)  P.  Ostruthium,  Koch.— Masterwort.  (M6r  Fhliodh.) 
Kiloran. — Per.,  July. 

Heradeum,  L. 

H.  Sphondylium,  L. — Hogweed  ;  Cow-parsnip.  Giuran. 
Common  in  well-drained  situations,  and  cut  in  the  green  state 
for  cattle. — Per.,  July. 

Daucus,  L. 

D.Carota,L. — Wild  Carrot.  Curran  Talmhainn.  Abun- 
dant in  rather  dry  situations. — Bi.,  June.  The  various  forms 
of  Garden  Carrots  (Currain-bhuidhe)  have  been  produced 
from  this  species. 

ARALIACE^E  (the  Aralia  family) 

A  large  order  of  woody-stemmed  plants,  represented  m 
Europe  by  the  following  species  only.  A.  japonica  from 


130  COLONSAY 

Japan  is  a  desirable  addition  locally  to  the  list  of  evergreen 
shrubs.  "Kice-paper"  is  cut  out  of  the  pith  of  Aralia 
(Fatsia)  papyrifera,  a  tree  of  Formosa. 

Hedera,  L. 

H.  Helix,  L.— Ivy.  Eidheann ;  Duchas.  Uillean,  C. 
Often  growing  in  exposed  situations  against  perpendicular 
rocks ;  hence  the  saying  with  the  double  meaning,  "  Theid  an 
duchas  an  aghaidh  nan  creag."  The  leaves  were  sown  into 
a  cap  for  covering  children's  heads  which  were  breaking  out 
into  sores — a  complaint  now  practically  unknown  locally 
among  infants.  Planted  against  their  walls,  it  helps  to 
dry  damp  houses. — October.  Many  "  gold  "  and  "  silver  " 
variegated  forms  are  in  cultivation.  The  badge  of  the 
Gordons. 

CAPRIFOLIACE.E  (the  Honeysuckle  family) 

Mostly  shrubs,  some  of  them  possessing  purgative  and 
emetic  properties.  Laurustinus,  a  pretty  evergreen,  and  the 
Snowberry,  a  deciduous  North  American  shrub  with  large 
white  berries,  are  useful  plants  for  shrubberies.  Seedlings  of 
the  latter  were  found  in  crevices  on  a  garden  wall.  The 
Guelder  Kose  (Ceiriocan,  C.)  and  the  "Wayfaring  -  tree 
(Craobh  Fhiadhain,  C.)  are  British  natives.  The  Banewort 
(Fliodh-a'-Bhalla,  C.)  was  formerly  credited  with  many 
healing  qualities. 

Sambucus,  L. 

S.  nigra,  L. — Common  Elder.  Droman.  Frequently 
planted  as  a  boundary  hedge  around  cottage  gardens.  The 
inner  bark  was  largely  used  along  with  other  herbs  in  the 
preparation  of  healing  ointments  for  burns,  etc.  Boys  aspir- 
ing to  be  pipers  made  chanters  of  the  young  branches,  which 
are  full  of  soft  pith  and  easily  bored. — June. 


THE  FLORA  131 

Lonicera,  L. 

L.  Periclymenum,  L. — Honeysuckle  ;  "Woodbine.  Caora 
Mhea(ng)lain.  Twining  round  trees,  over  ledges  of  rocks, 
etc.  Berries  were  eaten  by  children. — July. 

RUBIACE.E  (the  Peruvian  Bark  family) 

A  very  large  and  important  tropical  order,  including  the 
Coffee  plant.  Quinine  is  extracted  from  the  bark  of  various 
South  American  species  of  Cinchona  (Peruvian  Bark).  The 
root  of  a  shrubby  Brazilian  plant  finds  its  way  into  com- 
merce under  the  name  of  Ipecacuanha.  The  Dyer's  Madder 
(Madar)  is  largely  cultivated  for  its  scarlet  dye.  Some 
species — Gardenia,  Ixora,  etc.,  are  fragrant  and  pretty  ever- 
green stove-plants. 

Galium,  L.. 

G.  vei'um,  L. — Lady's  Bedstraw.  Ruin ;  Euamh,  C.  Dry 
banks  and  rocky  ledges. — Per.,  August.  The  roots  are  said  to 
yield  a  red  dye,  and  the  plant  to  have  been  used  in  making 
rennet  in  some  parts  of  the  Highlands. 

G.  saxatile,  L. — Heath  Bedstraw.  Madar  Fraoich,  C. 
Abundant  in  open  heaths. — Per.,  June. 

G.  palustre,  L.,  c  Witheringii  (Sm.). — Marsh  Bedstraw. 
Common  in  marshes  and  ditches. — Per.,  July. 

G.  uliginosum,  L. — Recorded  by  Messrs  Grieve  and 
Miller. 

G.  Aparine,  L. — Goosegrass  ;  Cleavers.  Seircean  Suir'ich ; 
Luibh-na-Cabhrach.  Neglected  places.  Used  locally  as  a 
strainer  in  the  preparation  of  flummery. — Ann.,  July.  The 
branches  are  used  by  the  Swedes  instead  of  a  sieve  to  strain 
milk ;  young  geese  are  very  fond  of  them.  W. 

Asperula,  L. 

A.  odomta,  L. — Woodruff.  Lus-na-Caithimh,  C.  Noted 
by  Mr  Somerville,  probably  an  introduced  plant.  When 


132  COLONSAY 

drying  it  gives  off  a  sweet  scent,  and  was  formerly  used  for 
imparting  an  agreeable  odour  to  clean  linen. 

Sherardia,  L. 

S.  arvensis,  L. — Field  Madder.  Balla  Cnis  Chu  Chulloin, 
I.  Not  rare  in  well-drained  situations,  Kiloran. — Ann.  or 
BL,  May. 

VALERIANACE.E  (the  Valerian  family) 

Annual  herbs  and  herbaceous  perennials,  often  aromatic  or 
strong  scented.  Spikenard  (Spiocnard),  long  valued  in  India, 
as  a  perfume,  is  an  aromatic  oil  obtained  from  the  root  of  a 
Himalayan  species.  The  roots  of  the  Great  Valerian  (An 
Tribhileach)  are  grown  in  England  for  medical  use. 

Valeriana,  L. 

V.  sambucifolia,  Mikan. — Cat's  Valerian  ;  All-heal.  Ard- 
skenish  Glen  ;  local. — Per.,  July. 

Valerianella,  Hill 

V.  olitoria,  Poll. — Cornsalad;  Lamb's  Lettuce.  Leitis 
Luain,  I.  A  small  annual,  common  on  the  sand-dunes. — 
May.  Cultivated  in  places  as  a  salad  plant. 

DIPSACE^E  (the  Teasel  family) 

Herbs  or  undershrubs.  The  dried  flower-heads  of  the 
Fuller's  Teasel  (Liodan-an-Fhucadair,  C.)  is  used  for  raising 
nap  on  cloth. 

Scabiosa,  L. 

S.  Succisa,  L.  —  Blue  Scabious ;  Devil's-bit.  Gille- 
guirmein.  Abundant.  White  forms  seen. — Per.,  August. 
The  dried  leaves  are  used  to  dye  wool  yellow  or  green. 
(Linn.)  The  plant  furnishes  a  familiar  example  of  the  prse- 
morse  or  bitten-off  root.  This  gave  rise  to  the  superstitious 


THE  FLORA  133 

belief  that  "the  divell,  for  the  envie  he  beareth  to  mankind, 
bitt  it  off,  because  it  would  otherwise  be  good  for  many 
uses."  W. 

"Gille-,  Gille-guirmein 

Mu'n  teid  thu  mu'n  cuairt 

Buailidh  mi  mo  dhorn  ort " 

was  rhymed  (locally)  by  children  as  they  held  the  unoffend- 
ing flower  in  the  left  hand  with  the  right  closed  in  a 
threatening  attitude  over  it.  The  stalk  was  surreptitiously 
twisted  beforehand,  and  held  in  such  a  way  as  to  allow  the 
flower-head  to  revolve  only  at  will. 

S.    arvensis,    L. — Field   Scabious.      Recorded   by  Messrs 
Grieve  &  Miller. 


COMPOSITE  (the  Composite  family) 

This  is  the  largest  order  of  flowering  plants,  comprising 
over  10,000  species.  British  representatives  are  easily 
recognised  by  their  inflorescence ;  the  flowers  are  collected 
into  dense  heads  surrounded  by  an  involucre,  the  whole 
resembling  a  single  flower,  as  the  Daisy,  Dandelion,  etc. 
Bitterness  is  their  prevailing  characteristic;  some — Worm- 
wood (Burmaid),  Southernwood  (Meath  Challtuinn ; 
Surabhan,  C.),  Camomile  (Camabhil)  —  possessing,  in 
addition,  aromatic  secretions.  The  milky  juice  of  Lettuce 
(Liatus,  C.)  has  narcotic  properties.  Sunflower  seeds  yield 
oil.  Another  species  of  Sunflower,  Jerusalem  Artichoke 
(a  native  of  Brazil),  furnishes  edible  tubers.  The  Globe 
Artichoke  (Farusgag)  is  grown  for  its  succulent,  immature 
flower-heads.  The  blanched  stems  of  Cardoons  and  the 
roots  of  Salsafy  and  Scorzonera  are  used  as  vegetables. 
Endive  (Eanach  Garaidh)  is  blanched  for  salad.  The  roots  of 
Chicory  (Castearbhain),  roasted  and  ground,  are  used  (a  not 
unwholesome  addition)  to  adulterate  coffee.  To  the  gardener 
the  ornamental  species — Sunflowers  (Grian-bhlath,  I.),  Chrys- 


134  COLONSAY 

anthemums,  Asters,  Dahlias,   Everlastings,   etc. — belonging 
to  this  group  are,  for  decorative  purposes,  indispensable. 

Eupatorium,  L. 

E.  cannabinum,  L. — Hemp  Agrimony.  Cainb  Uisge,  C. 
Bank  of  stream,  Ardskenish  Glen. — Per.,  September.  This 
is  the  only  British  representative  of  a  large  genus  containing 
about  400  species,  chiefly  American. 

Solidago,  L. 

S.  Virgaurea,  L. — Golden  Rod.  An  t-Slat-Oir.  Common 
on  dry,  rocky  hills  about  Uragaig. — Per.,  August. 

Bellis,  L. 

B.  perennis,  L. — Common  Daisy.  Neoinean.  Meadows 
and  pastures.  One  of  the  principal  ingredients  used  in  the 
preparation  of  healing  ointments.  The  leaves,  and  some- 
times the  upper  portion  of  the  root-stock,  are  eaten  by  rabbits 
in  winter  time,  but  all  animals  avoid  it  when  they  can. — 
Per.  Flowering  nearly  always. 

Aster,  L. 

The  species  of  the  genus  are  numerous  in  North  America, 
some  of  which  —  Michaelmas  Daisies  —  are  popular  late 
autumn  flowering  plants. 

A.  Tripolium,  L. — Sea  Aster.  Eoinean  Sailean.  Marine 
turf,  strand  side. — Per.,  September. 

Antennaria,  Gaertn. 

A.  dioica,  Gaertn.  —  Mountain  Everlasting.  Not  un- 
common, usually  in  dry  situations. — Per.,  May. 

G?iaphalium)  L. 

G.  uliginosum,  L. — Marsh  Cudweed.  Cnamh  Lus  ;  Luibh 
a-Chait,  C.  Roadsides,  Kiloran. — Ann.,  August. 


THE   FLORA  135 

Gr.  sylvaticum,  L. — Wood  Cudweed.  Sandy  fields,  east 
Kiloran. — Per.,  August. 

Inula,  L. 

/.  Helenium,  L. — Elecampane.  Aillean.  Old  disused 
garden,  Glasaird.  Formerly  cultivated  for  its  medicinal 
properties. — Per.,  July.  Its  root  is  credited  as  being  tonic, 
diuretic,  and  diaphoretic.  The  plant  is  said  to  have  been 
named  by  the  Eomans  after  the  Fair  Helen  of  Troy. 

Bidens,  L. 

B.  tripartita,  L. — Bur-Marigold.  Ditches,  Kiloran  and 
Leana-na-Cachaleith. — Ann.,  September. 

AchiUea,  L. 

A.  Millefolium,  L.— Milfoil;  Yarrow.  Cathair  Thalmh- 
ainn.  (Lus-Chosgadh-na-Fola.)  Abundant  in  sandy  fields 
and  pastures. — Per.,  July.  It  is  highly  astringent.  Re- 
commended for  sowing  in  dry  sheep-pastures,  but  more  as  a 
condiment  than  for  affording  direct  nutritive  matter. 

A.  Ptarmica,  L. — Sneezewort.  Meacan-Ragaim  ;  Lus-a- 
Chorrain,  C.  Common  in  moist  situations  on  the  low 
ground. — Per.,  July. 

Anthemis,  L. 

The  true  Camomile  (A.  nobilis)  is  cultivated  for  its  flowers, 
long  used  as  a  stimulating  tonic. 

A.  Cotula,  L. — Stink  Mayweed.  Fineul  Madra,  I.  Vacant 
ground,  Kiloran. — Ann.,  August.  This  and  others  of  the 
tribe  were  popular  cures  for  swellings  and  inflammation.  C. 

A.  arvensis,  L. — Camomile.  Camabhil.  Frequent  in  the 
vicinity  of  old  habitations.  An  infusion  of  the  leaves  and 
flowers  Avas  drunk  for  strengthening  the  stomach.  Also 
boiled  in  milk  for  a  similar  purpose.  Used  as  an  ingredient 
in  poultices  for  promoting  suppuration. — Per.,  July. 


136  COLONSAY 

Chrysanthemum,  L. 

For  late  autumn  flowering  and  winter  decoration  the 
numerous  forms  now  in  cultivation  are  unequalled.  C. 
sinense,  a  native  of  China  introduced  into  this  country  in 
1764,  is  the  parent  of  many  of  our  large  flowered  kinds. 

C.  segetum,  L. —  Corn  Marigold.  Dithean.  A  showy 
weed  of  cultivated  fields. — Ann.,  July.  It  was  used  to 
soothe  throbbing  pains. 

C.  Leucanthemum,  L. — Ox-eye  Daisy.  Nedinean  Mor. 
Edges  of  fields,  Kiloran.  —  Per.,  July.  This  plant  was 
esteemed  an  excellent  remedy  for  king's-evil.  C. 

Matricaria,  L. 

M.  inodora,  L. — Corn  Mayweed.  Buidheag-an-Arbhair,  C. 
Common  in  waste  places  and  at  the  seashore. — Ann.,  July. 

M.  inodora,  b  saUna,  Bab. — Shingly  shore,  Creagan ; 
leaves  succulent. — September. 

M.  maritima,  L.  —  Sea  rocks,  Druim  -  na  -  Faoileann. 
Locally  rare,  and  on  record  only  from  one  vice-county. — 
September. 

M.  Ohamomilla,  L. — Wild  Camomile.  Recorded  by  Mr 
Grieve. 

Tanacetum,  L. 

T.  vulgare,  L.  —  Tansy.  Lus  -  ria  -  Fraing.  Grown  in 
cottage  gardens  for  flavouring  purposes. — Per.,  September. 

Artemisia,  L. 

Aromatic  herbs  or  shrubs.  The  Common  "Wormwood 
(Burmaid)  and  the  Sea  Wormwood  are  British  natives  with 
aromatic  and  intensely  bitter  properties.  The  Roman 
Wormwood  and  Tarragon  (from  Siberia)  are  grown  as  pot- 
herbs. All  are  species  of  Artemisia. 


THE  FLORA  137 

A.vulgaris,'L. — Mugwort.  LiathLus.  On  the  raised-beach 
deposits.  The  leaveswere  smoked  by oldpeople. — Per.,  August. 

Tussilago,  L. 

T.  Farfara,  L. — Coltsfoot.  Gallan  Greanach.  An  in- 
fusion of  the  leaves  was  drunk  for  whooping-cough.  A 
popular  remedy  for  chest  troubles.  The  leaves  were  smoked 
as  a  substitute  for  tobacco. — Per.,  April. 

Petasites,  Hill 

P.  ovatus,  Hill. — Butterbur.  Gallan  Mor.  Kilchattan. 
The  leaves,  which  are  larger  than  those  of  any  other  British 
plant,  were  used  as  sunshades  by  children  when  playing. — 
Per.,  April. 

Senecio,  L. 

This  is  the  largest  genus  of  the  order,  occurring  in  all 
parts  of  the  globe.  Some  species,  of  horticultural  value, 
have  recently  been  introduced  from  China. 

&  vvlyaris,  L. — Groundsel.  Grunnasg.  Common  garden 
weed.  It  was  used  as  an  ingredient  in  the  healing  ointments. 
Also  applied  to  prevent  suppuration. — Ann.  Nearly  always 
in  flower.  Plants  from  the  blown  sands  described  by  Mr 
Bennett  as  being  "near  the  variety  integrifolius,  Opiz." 

S.  sylvaticus,  L. — Mountain  Groundsel.  Recorded  by 
Mr  Miller. — Ann. 

S.  Jacobcea,  L. — Ragwort.  Ballan  Buidhe.  Abundant  in 
dry  pastures.  Ballan  Buidhe  Boirionn,  the  first  year's  growth 
or  a  barren  form  of  the  Ragwort,  was  commonly  used  as  an 
ingredient  in  plasters  for  promoting  suppuration.  —  Per., 
September. 

S.  aquaticus,  Hill. — Water  Ragwort.  Ditches  and  wet 
situations. — Bi.,  July. 

S.  aquaticus,  var.  pinnatifidus,  Gren.  and  Godr. — Wet 
ground,  Kiloran. — August. 


138  COLONSAY 

S.  sarracenicus,  L. — Broad-leaved  Groundsel.  Koadside 
near  Tigh  Samhraidh.  It  has  been  growing  in  the  same 
place  for  a  long  time,  and  was  probably  planted  about  the 
beginning  of  last  century. — Per.,  August. 

Carlina,  L. 

C.  vulgaris,  L. — Common  Carline.  Fothannan  Min,  I. 
Near  the  limestone  rock,  east  side  of  Kiloran  Bay,  and  a  few 
plants  on  sandy  hills,  Balanahard. — Bi.,  July. 

Arctium,  L. 

A.  minus,  Bernh.  —  Burdock.  Mac-an-Dogha.  Waste 
ground.  The  root  was  used  in  extracting-plasters. — Bi.,  July. 

Cnicus,  L. 

The  Melancholy  Thistle  (Cluas-an-Fheidh),  a  species 
without  prickles,  is  found  in  neighbouring  islands. 

C.  lanceolatus,  Willd. — Spear  (plume)  Thistle.  Fothannan 
(Glas).  (An  Cluaran  Deilgneach.)  Common  in  fields  in 
rather  dry  situations. — Ann.  or  Bi.,  August. 

G.  palustris,  Willd. — Marsh  (plume)  Thistle.  Fothannan 
(Leana).  Common  in  wet  situations.  The  leaves  and  root- 
stock  are  eaten  in  winter  by  sheep. — Bi.,  July. 

C.  arvensis,  Hoffrn. — Creeping  (plume)  Thistle.  Foth- 
annan Achaidh.  A  troublesome  weed  of  cultivated  fields. — 
Per.,  July. 

Centaurea,  L. 

Some  species  grown  in  gardens  are  herbaceous  perennials 
with  white,  yellow,  rose,  violet,  or  purple  coloured  flowers ; 
others,  annuals,  with  blue  and  white  flowers. 

C.  nigra,  L.  —  Knapweed ;  Hardheads.  Seamrag-nan- 
Each.  Pastures. — Per.,  July. 


THE   FLORA  139 

Lapsana,  L. 

. — Nipplewort.  Duilleag Mhaith ;  Duilleag 
Mhin,  C.  One  specimen  seen  beside  path  in  wood. — 
Ann.,  August. 

Crepis,  L. 

0.  capillaris,  Wallr. — Smooth  Hawk's-beard.     Dry  fields 
and  sandy  situations. — Ann.  or  Bi.,  July. 
C.  tectoria. — Alien.     Turnip-field,  Kiloran. 

Hieracium,  L. 

A  numerous  and  perplexing  genus  of  perennial  herbs. 
The  latest  (tenth)  edition  of  the  London  Catalogue  of  British 
Plants  enumerates  about  300  species,  varieties,  and  forms. 

H.  Pilosella,  L. — Mouse-ear  Hawk  weed.  Cluas  Liath, 
C.  Kiloran  Bay. — June. 

H.  anglicum,  Fr. — Hills  above  Port-Easdail. — August. 

H.  euprepes,  c  divicolum,  F.  J.  Hanb. — Ardskenish. — 
September.  Confirmed  by  the  late  Rev.  W.  R.  Linton. 

H,  dissimile,  Lindeb. — Locality  uncertain. 

If.  vulgatum,  Fr.  —  Rocky  ledge,  northern  exposure, 
Uragaig. — September. 

H.  vulgatum,  d  subravusculum,  W.  R.  Linton. — Rocky 
ledge,  Kiloran  Bay. — September.  Confirmed  by  the  late 
Rev.  W.  R.  Linton. 

H,  maculatum,  Sm. — Top  of  old  wall,  Kiloran. — June. 

H.  strictum,  Fr.  —  Rocky  ledges,  Balanahard  hills.  — 
September.  Confirmed  by  the  Rev.  E.  F.  Linton. 

H.  sabaudum,  L.,  crigens  (Jord.). — Ledges  of  rocks,  Loch 
Fada  side ;  northern  exposure. — September.  Confirmed  by 
the  Rev.  W.  R.  Linton. 

Hypoch&ris,  L. 

(?)  H.  glabra,  L. — Smooth  Cat's-ear.  One  plant,  rocky 
hillock,  Bealach-na-h-airde. — October. 


140  COLONSAY 

H.  radicata,  L. — Long-rooted  Cat's-ear.  Abundant  in 
pastures  and  on  rocky  ledges  throughout  the  island. — Per., 
July. 

Leontodon,  L. 

L.  autumnale,  L. — Autumnal  Hawkbit.  Common  on 
ledges  of  rocks  and  on  an  old  wall  in  Kiloran. — Per.,  August. 
One  of  the  specimens  submitted  to  him  was  described  by 
Mr  Bennett  as  glabrous,  single-bearded  ;  another  as  departing 
from  the  type  towards  the  variety  linearifolius,  Breb. 

L.  autumnale,  b.  pratense  (Koch). — Locality  uncertain. 
— September.  Confirmed  by  Eev.  E.  F.  Linton.  Forms 
simplex  and  glabrata  were  recognised  by  Mr  Bennett  among 
specimens  sent. 

Taraxacum,  Hall 

T.  officinale,  Weber.  —  Common  Dandelion.  Bearnan 
Bride.  Abundant.  The  roots  and  leaves  were  boiled  and  the 
decoction  drunk. — Per.  Flowering  for  a  lengthened  period. 
The  roots  have  a  bitter  taste,  and  are  tonic,  aperient,  and 
diuretic.  Dried,  roasted,  and  ground,  they  are  sometimes 
mixed  with  coffee  or  even  used  as  a  substitute  for  it.  The 
plant  is  cultivated  and  the  leaves  blanched  for  salad  both  in 
England  and  France. 

T.  erythrospermum,  Andrz. — Not  uncommon  at  Poll  Gorm 
and  at  Cr6isebrig,  Balanahard. — May. 

T.  erythrospermum,  b.  Icevigatum  (DC.). — East  side  of 
Traigh-nam-Barc.  — May. 

T.  palustre,  DC. — Balanahard  hills. — July. 

(?)  T.  spectabile,  Dahlst. — Poll  Gorm.— May.  Material 
insufficient  to  be  certain. 

Sonchus,  L. 

S.  oleraceus.  L. — Common  Sow-thistle.  Bog-Fhonntan. 
Bainne  Muice,  I.  A  garden  weed. — Ann.,  July.  A  very 
favourite  food  with  hares  and  rabbits.  W. 


THE  FLORA  141 

S.  asper,  Hill. — Prickly  Sow-thistle.  Searbhan  Muc,  I. 
Commoner  than  the  preceding  species.  A  very  prickly  form 
is  met  with  on  the  sandy  shores. — Ann.,  July. 

S.  arvensis,  L. — Corn  Sow-thistle.  Bliochd  Fochainn,  C. 
A  conspicuous  cornfield  weed. — Per.,  September.  The  flowers 
regularly  follow  the  course  of  the  sun.  W. 

CAMPANULACE^;  (the  Campanula  family) 

Principally  herbs,  including  many  beautiful  garden  flower- 
ing plants. 

Lobelia,  L. 

The  pretty  dwarf  Lobelias  so  much  used  for  bedding  are 
varieties  and  hybrids  raised  from  blue  and  white  South  African 
species — L.  erinus,  L.  bicolor,  etc.  L.  cardinalis  from  Vir- 
ginia, usually  treated  as  half-hardy,  has  locally  proved  hardy. 

L.  Dortmanna,  L. — Water  Lobelia.  Plur-an-Lochain,  C. 
Shallow  waters,  edge  of  Loch  Fada — Per.,  June. 

Jasione,  L. 

/.  montana,  L.  —  Sheep's-bit.  Dubhan-nan-Caora,  C. 
Kecorded  by  Messrs  Grieve  and  Somerville. 

Campanula,  L. 

A  numerous  genus  with  many  garden  representatives — 
C.  medium  (Canterbury  Bell),  C.  pyramidalis,  C.  persicifolia, 
etc. — that  greatly  contribute  to  the  beauty  of  the  greenhouse 
and  the  herbaceous  border.  The  Garden  Rampion  (Meacan 
Raibe  Fiadhain  (?),  I.)  is  cultivated  for  its  fleshy  root. 

G.  rotundifolia,  L. — Common  Harebell ;  Scottish  Bluebell. 
Broga-Cuthaig.  Am  Pluran  Cluigeannach,  C.  Broga- 
Cuthaig  is  also  locally  applied  to  the  Pansy  and  the  Dog 
Violet.  Common  on  dry  rocky  ledges.  White  forms  have 
been  seen. — Per.,  August. 


142  COLONSAY 

VACCINIACE^;  (the  Cranberry  family) 
The  Cowberry  (Dearc-Mhonaidh)  and  Cranberry  (Muileag  ; 
Gearr-Dhearc),  common  in  the  Highlands,  bear  edible  fruit. 
The  Bogberry  (Dearc  Koide,  C.  ;  Mdineog,  I.)  is  said,  when 
eaten,  to  cause  headache. 

Vacdnium,  L. 

F.  Myrtillus,  L.  —  Blaeberry;  Whortleberry.  Dearca 
Coille.  Abundant,  Coille-mhor.  Berries  edible.  —  May. 
The  plant  (with  alum)  yields  a  blue  dye.  The  first  tender 
leaves  cannot  be  distinguished  from  real  tea  when  properly 
gathered  and  dried.  W.  Dearcan  Fithich,  C. 


(the  Heath  family) 
Shrubs  of  low  growth,  often  growing  on  moors  and  hills 
in  peaty  soil.  The  foliage  of  some  species  —  Rhododendrons, 
Azaleas,  etc.  —  is  poisonous.  The  briar-root  of  commerce, 
for  making  pipes,  is  the  wood  of  the  Tree  Heath,  a  native 
of  the  south  of  Europe.  This  order  includes  some  pretty 
greenhouse  and  garden  shrubs  —  Indian  Rhododendrons, 
American  Azaleas,  etc.  The  Strawberry  Tree  (Caithne,  C.) 
is  confined  to  Ireland. 

Arctostaphylos,  Adans. 

A.  Uva-ursi,  Spreng.  —  Bearberry.  Braoileag.  Among 
the  heather  on  dry,  rocky  hills.  —  May. 

Calluna,  Salisb. 

0.  vulgaris,  Hull.  —  Common  Ling  or  Heather.  Fraoch. 
By  far  the  commonest  species.  Used  for  making  door- 
mats, brooms,  ropes  for  fixing  on  thatch,  etc.  A  green  dye 
(with  alum)  is  obtained  from  it.  Heather  ale  is  said  to 
have  been  formerly  made  from  the  green  tops.  Miona 
(meanbh)  Fhraoch  =  the  young  growth  after  the  old  heather 
is  burned.  Cattle  prefer  it  to  the  older  growth,  and  it  forms 


THE  FLORA  143 

the  principal  food  of  grouse.  White  forms  (Fraoch  Geal) 
are  not  uncommon. — August.  This  is  the  most  widely  dis- 
tributed of  all  the  heaths.  The  badge  of  the  Macdonalds. 
Fraoch  Badanach  (?).  Fraoch  Gorm,  C. 

Erica,  L. 

A  numerous  genus  of  more  than  400  species  (mostly  from 
South-West  Africa),  besides  innumerable  cultivated  hybrids 
and  varieties. 

E.  Tetralix,  L. — Cross-leaved  Heath.  Fraoch  Gucanach. 
Heaths  and  wet  moors.  This,  owing  to  its  fine  wiry  nature, 
is  the  kind  most  preferred  for  brooms,  scouring-brushes,  etc. 
— July.  Fraoch-an-Ruinnse,  C. 

E.  cinerea,  L. — Scottish  Heather  ;  Bell  Heather.  Fraoch 
Meangan.  White  forms  of  this  species  and  E.  Tetralix  are 
seen. — August.  Badge  of  the  Robertsons.  Fraoch  Seangan. 
Fraoch-a'-Bhadain,  C. 

Pyrola,  L. 

P.  media,  Sw. — Recorded  by  Mr  Somerville. 

P.  minor,  L.  —  Common  Wintergreen.  Near  Slochd-an- 
Fhomhair.  —  Per.,  June.  A  small  colony  on  an  exposed 
headland,  Uragaig,  did  not  flower  in  1908;  the  species 
was  not  determined.  P.  minor  was  recorded  by  Mr.  Ewing 
from  Jura  in  1888. 

PLUMBAGINACE^:  (the  Plumbago  family) 
Principally  herbs,  with  bitter  or  acrid  properties. 

Statice,  Linn. 

S.  maritima,  L. — Thrift ;  Sea  Pink.  Ne6inean  Cladaich. 
Abundant  on  the  sea  rocks  and  on  the  shore  turf. — Per.,  May. 

PRIMULACEE  (the  Primrose  family) 

"Herbs,  excelling  in  the  beauty  of  their  flowers.  The 
Auricula  (Lus-na-Ban-Righ,  C.),  Sow-bread  (Culurin,  C.), 


144  COLONSAY 

Shieldworts,  etc.,  are  represented  in  gardens  by  many  pretty 
varieties. 

Primula,  L. 

A  genus  of  plants  including  lovely  alpine  species.  The 
Cowslip  (Muisean)  and  the  Oxlip  (Bugha  Geal,  I.)  are 
British  natives.  Wine  is  made  from  the  flowers  of  the 
Cowslip.  P.  sinensis  from  China  and  P.  japonica  from 
Japan  are  old  greenhouse  favourites. 

P.  vulgaris,  Huds. — Primrose.  Sobhrachan.  Samharcan, 
C.  Edges  of  woods  and  shady  slopes  and  banks.  Used  as 
an  ingredient  in  healing  ointments. — Per.,  May. 

"Sobhrachan,  Samhrachan,  Biadh-iir-Eunachan,  is  maith  am  biadh 

paisd,  e  ; 

Grainnseagan  's  Dearca  Coille,  biadh  na  cloinne  san  t-samhradh." 

(Children's  rhyme  ;  local.) 

An  agreeable  wine  is  prepared  from  Primroses,  not  very 
unlike  that  made  from  Cowslips,  but  considered  still  more 
delicate  in  flavour. 

Lysimachia,  L. 

L.  punctata,  Linn. — Yellow  Loosestrife.  Introduced,  and 
grown  in  gardens. 

L.  nemorum,  L. — Yellow  Pimpernel.  (Seamrag  Mhuire.) 
Damp  situations,  Kiloran  woods. — Per.,  July. 

Glaux,  L. 

Gf.  maritima,  L.  —  Sea  Milkwort ;  Black  Saltwort.  In 
plenty  on  the  shore  turf,  Traigh-nam-Barc,  and  wedged 
in  between  the  joints  of  the  phyllites,  Port  -  an  -  Obain, 
Balanahard.  Common  seashore  plant. — Per.,  June. 

Anagallis,  L. 

A.  arvensis,  L. — Scarlet  Pimpernel ;  Poor  Man's  Weather- 
glass. (Falcair-Fiadhain.)  Cornfields,  etc. — Ann.,  July.  On 


THE  FLORA  145 

the  approach  of  rain  the  petals  close.  Farcuire  Fuar,  I. 
Formerly  used  medicinally  as  a  purgative.  C.  This 
species,  like  the  common  Chickweed,  has  accompanied  man 
in  his  migrations  over  a  great  part  of  the  globe. 

A.  tenella,  Murr. — Bog  Pimpernel.  Common  on  mossy 
banks  and  in  wet  situations. — Per.,  July. 

Centunculus,  L. 

C.  minimus,  L. — Small  Chaffweed ;  Bastard  Pimpernel. 
Traigh  Staosnaig  and  Balanahard.  —  August.  This  little 
annual,  which  has  not  yet,  probably  on  account  of  its 
smallness,  been  recorded  from  the  neighbouring  islands, 
has  a  wide  distribution  over  Europe,  Russian  Asia,  North 
America,  and  Australia. 

Samolus,  L. 

S.  Valerandi,  L. — Brookweed.  Edges  of  stony  shallow 
streams,  particularly  at  the  shore. — Per.,  July. 

OLEACE.E  (the  Olive  family) 

The  order  is  represented  in  shrubberies  by  the  Lilac 
(Craobh  Liath-ghorm,  C.),  Jasmine,  etc.  The  Privet  (Ras 
Chrann  Sior-uaine ;  Priobhadh,  C.)  is  much  used  for  hedges, 
and  thrives  well  in  towns.  The  Olive  (Crann  Oladh),  a 
native  of  Syria  and  Greece,  yields  the  valuable  Olive  oil. 
The  branch  of  the  Olive  signifies  peace  and  plenty. 

Fraxinus,  L. 

F.  excel&or,  L. — Ash.  Uinnseann.  One  of  the  commonest 
planted  trees  in  Kiloran  plantations,  and  growing  naturally 
from  seed.  Some  trees  are  also  to  be  seen  in  Glaic-an- 
Uinnsinn  which  are  possibly  indigenous.  Wood  used 
locally  for  tool-handles,  swingle-trees,  etc. — May.  Tough 
and  elastic,  it  was  formerly  selected  for  spear-handles,  as 

10 


146  COLONSAY 

now  it  is  the  wood  used  for  the  lance-shafts  of  the  British 
-cavalry.  The  wood  of  the  American  Ash  (F.  americana,  L.), 
though  largely  imported  into  this  country  for  agricultural 
implements,  tool-handles,  etc.,  is  inferior  to  the  British  Ash. 
The  leaves  act  like  Senna. 

ApocYNACEjE  (the  Periwinkle  family) 

A  large  tropical  order ;  some  species  yielding  milky,  elastic, 
and  sometimes  very  poisonous  juices,  while  others  furnish 
edible  fruits,  oil,  medicine,  etc.  The  Silk  Eubber  Tree  of 
Lagos  is  one  of  the  most  important  sources  of  West  African 
rubber.  The  order  furnishes  some  beautiful  stove  plants — 
Allamandas,  Dipladenias,  etc.  The  South  European  Oleander 
is  an  old  greenhouse  favourite. 

VincM,  L. 

V.  minor,  L. — Lesser  Periwinkle.  Gille-Fionndruinn. 
Introduced. — May.  Badge  of  the  M'Lachlans. 

GENTIANACEJE  (the  Gentian  family) 

Herbs,  occurring  principally  in  temperate  and  mountainous 
regions,  where  some  species  mark  the  highest  limits  of 
vegetation.  They  are  characterised  by  powerfully  bitter 
properties,  and  are  universally  used  as  febrifugal  and 
stomachic  medicines.  Some  species  (Gentians)  are  among 
the  prettiest  of  alpine  plants. 

Centaurium,  Hill 

C.  umbellatum,  Gilib.  —  Centaury.  Deagha  Dearg,  I. 
Sandy  uncultivated  hillocks,  Druim-buidhe. — Bi.,  July. 

C.  umbellatum,  b  capitatum.  Close  to  the  shore,  Port- 
&-  Bhuailtein. — September. 


THE  FLORA  147 

Gentiana,  L. 

G.  Amarella,  L. — Autumn  Gentian.  Machrins  golf- 
links,  and  sandy  pasture,  Balanahard  Bay. — Ann.,  August. 

G.  campestris,  L. — Field  Gentian.  Lus-a-Chrubain. 
Frequent  in  moist  pastures. — Ann.,  August.  This  plant 
acts  as  an  excellent  tonic.  It  is  believed  to  be  a  good 
remedy  for  the  disease  called  "cruban  "  in  cattle.  C. 

G.  baltica,  Murb. — Dry,  sandy,  uncultivated  hillocks, 
Ardskenish  Glen. — August. 

Menyanthes,  L. 

J/.  trifoliata,  L. — Buckbean ;  Bog  Bean.  Luibh-nan-tri- 
Beann.  Common  at  the  edges  of  the  lochs.  An  infusion 
of  the  stem  and  leaves  is  a  popular  remedy  for  a  "weak 
stomach,  the  stem  being  also  chewed  for  the  same  purpose. — 
Per.,  June. 

POLEMONIACE^E  (the  Polemonium  family) 

Principally  herbs,  including  the  beautiful  perennial 
Phloxes  and  annual  Gilias. 

Polemonium,  L 

P.  cceruleum,  L. — Jacob's  Ladder;  Greek  Valerian. 
Introduced,  and  grown  in  gardens. 

BORAGINACE.E  (the  Borage  family) 

Herbs,  usually  with  roughly  hairy  stems  and  leaves,  and 
the  flowers  in  one-sided  spikes.  Their  properties  are  mucil- 
aginous and  cooling,  and  the  roots  of  some  kinds  (Alkanet, 
etc.)  yield  a  dye.  The  mucilage  from  the  root  of  the 
Comfrey  (^Sleacan  Dubh ;  Lus-nan-Cnamh-briste,  C.)  was 
formerly  considered  a  good  remedy  for  uniting  broken  bones. 
The  Peruvian  Heliotrope  has  long  been  grown  for  its  sweet 


148  COLONSAY 

perfume.  Species  of  North  American  Nemophilas  are  showy 
dwarf  annuals.  N.  insignis  has  large,  distinct,  sky-blue 
flowers. 

Borago,  L. 

B.  officinalis,  L. — Borage.  (Borraidh.)  Introduced. — Ann. 
or  Bi.,  July.  A  native  of  the  east  Mediterranean  region,  it 
has,  by  long  cultivation,  become  naturalised  in  various  parts 
of  England.  The  flowers  are  used  for  garnishing,  and  the 
young  leaves  employed  in  salads  and  also  pickled.  A  good 
honey-producing  plant,  it  is  sometimes  sown  for  bees. 

Anchusa,  L. 

A.  officinalis,  L. — Common  Alkanet.  Recorded  by 
Messrs  Grieve  and  Miller. 

Lycopsis,  L. 

L.  arvensis,  L. — Small  Bugloss.  Lus-Teang'-an-Daimh, 
C.  A  weed  of  sandy  cultivated  fields. — Ann.,  July. 

Myosotis,  L. 

Early  flowering  and  hardy,  some  kinds  are  commonly 
utilised  in  "  spring  bedding  "  arrangements. 

M.  ccespitosa,  Schultz. — Forget-me-not ;  Scorpion-grass. 
Cobharach.  Cotharach,  C.  Locally  used  as  an  emblem  of 
good  luck. — Per.,  July. 

M.  palustris,  Hill. — Recorded  by  Mr  Grieve. 

M.  repens,  G.  and  D.  Don. — "This  is  the  chief  Forget- 
me-not  of  the  island,  flowering  a  little  earlier  than  ccespitosa  " 
(Somerville). — Per.,  June. 

M,  sylvatica,  Hoffm. — Neighbourhood  of  garden,  Kiloran. 
Introduced. — May. 

M.  arvensis,  Hill.  —  Cultivated  ground,  Geadhail-na- 
Ceardach. — Ann.,  June. 

M.  collina,  Hoffm. — Recorded  by  Mr  Grieve. 


THE  FLORA  149 

M.  versicolor,  Sin.  —  Changing  Forget-me-not.  Un- 
cultivated hillocks  ;  common.  —  Ann.,  June. 

M.  versicolor,  var.  laxa,  Bosch.  —  Slender  form,  cultivated 
field,  Kiloran. 

CONVOLVULACE.E  (the  Convolvulus  family) 

Herbs,  twining  or  prostrate,  often  with  handsome  plaited 
flowers.  The  most  important  species  of  the  family  is 
Ipomcea  Batatas  (Sweet  Potato).  Jalep,  the  well-known 
purgative,  is  prepared  from  the  root  of  a  Mexican  plant. 
Annual  kinds  of  Convolvulus  are  showy  climbing  objects. 
The  Seaside  Convolvulus  occurs  in  the  Outer  Hebrides  in 
the  island  of  Eriskay,  where  it  is  supposed  to  have  been 
planted  by  Prince  Charlie  —  hence  known  there  as  Flur-a- 
Phrionnsa  (the  Prince's  flower). 

Calystegia,  Br. 

C.  sepium,  Br.  —  Larger  Convolvulus  ;  Hooded  Bindweed. 
Duil  Mhial,  C.  Roadside,  Glasaird  —  Per.,  August. 

Convolvulus,  L. 

C.  arvensis,  L.  —  Small  Bindweed.  ladh-lus,  C.  Lower 
Kilchattan.  —  July. 


he  Nightshade  family) 

A  large  order  of  herbs  and  shrubs,  chiefly  tropical.  Many 
are  characterised  by  dangerous  and  narcotic  properties; 
others,  as  the  Tomato,  Egg-plant,  Potato  (Buntata),  etc., 
furnish  wholesome  fruit  or  tubers.  Tobacco  (Tombaca) 
was  brought  to  this  country  shortly  after  the  middle  of  the 
sixteenth  century.  Cayenne  Pepper  (Peabar  Dearg)  is  the 
powdered  seed  of  species  of  Capsicum.  The  root  of  the 
Mandrake  (Mandrag)  was  credited  by  the  ancients  with 
many  virtues.  British  species  —  the  Deadly  Nightshade 


150  COLONSAY 

(Lus-na-Dibh-M6r,  I.),  Henbane  (Caothach-nan-Cearc), 
Thorn-apple — have  very  poisonous  properties.  The  "Tea 
Plant,"  a  straggling  shrub,  is  recommended  for  situations 
exposed  to  the  sea-breezes. 

Solanum,  L. 

A  numerous  genus,  particularly  abundant  in  South  America, 
S.  tuberosum  (the  Potato)  is  a  native  of  Chili  and  Peru, 
where  it  is  found  growing  on  sterile  mountains  and  in  damp 
forests  near  the  sea.  According  to  some  it  was  introduced 
to  this  country  by  Sir  Walter  Ealeigh  (from  Virginia,  in 
1586) ;  in  the  opinion  of  others,  by  Sir  Francis  Drake.  The 
numerous  excellent  varieties  now  in  cultivation  have  sprung 
from  a  few  comparatively  worthless  wild  species.  At  the 
Franco-British  Exhibition  in  London  (1908)  no  less  than 
300  selected  kinds  (named)  were  exhibited  by  Messrs  Sutton 
&  Sons.  The  same  firm  showed  a  number  of  wild  types  at 
the  R.H.S.  Temple  ShoAv  in  May  1907. 

S.  Dulcamara,  L. — Bittersweet.  Fuath-gorm,  C.  Burn- 
side,  Kiloran,  and  gullies,  Kiloran  Bay. — Per.,  July.  The 
berries  are  bitter  and  poisonous.  The  root  and  stem  have 
a  bitter  taste  followed  by  a  degree  of  sweetness,  hence  the 
common  English  name.  A  decoction  of  the  plant  is  said  to- 
be  good  for  internal  injuries. 

SCROPHULARIACEJS  (the  Scrophularia  family) 

One  of  the  most  largely  represented  of  British  orders, 
remarkable  for  many  beautiful  flowering  species.  They 
are  generally  acrid  or  bitter,  and  sometimes,  as  in  the 
Foxglove,  poisonous,  representatives  of  exotic  (Calceolaria, 
Pentstemon,  Mimulus,  etc.)  and  native  genera  (Speedwell, 
Toadflax,  Mullein,  Snapdragon,  etc.)  are  old  favourites. 
Some  kinds — Lousewort,  Yellow  Rattle,  Eyebright,  and 
Cow-wheat  are  semi-parasitical. 


THE  FLORA  151 

Verbascum,  L. 

V.  var. — Mullein.  Cow's  Lungwort.  Coinueal  Mhuire,  C, 
Introduced,  and  growing  naturally  from  seed,  Kiloran. 

Antirrhinum,  L. 

A.  var. — Snapdragon.  Sriumh-na-Laogh,  C.  Top  of 
garden  wall. — Per.,  July. 

Scrophularia,  L. 

S.  nodosa,  L. — Figwort.  (Lus-nan-Cnapan  ;  Farach  Dubh.) 
Gully  below  Tigh  Iain  Daraich. — Per.,  August.  The  name 
is  derived  from  scrofula,  for  which  species  of  the  genus 
were  considered  an  excellent  remedy.  S.  nodosa  was 
formerly  employed  in  medicine  as  an  emetic  and  purgative. 

Mimulus,  L. 

M.  luteus,  Willd. — Yellow  Mimulus.  Burnside,  Kiloran, 
— Per.,  August.  Originally  a  native  of  North- West  America 
and  Chili,  it  has  now  become  naturalised  in  many  parts  of  the 
country. 

Digitalis,  L. 

D.  purpurea,  L. — Foxglove.  Meuran-nan-Daoine-Marbh. 
Abundant  in  dry  situations  at  the  roadside,  in  the  woods, 
and  on  the  hills.  Sithean-as-nach-cinn  is  the  name  locally 
applied  to  the  first  year's  growth  of  this  species,  one  of  the 
herbs  frequently  used  in  poultices.  Damh-donn  is  believed 
to  apply  to  the  same  plant.  White  forms  only  seen  occasion- 
ally.— Bi.  or  Per.,  July.  It  contains  a  powerful  poison,  used 
in  medicine  as  a  diuretic  and  sedative. 

Veronica,  L. 

Beautiful  hybrids  with  white,  purple,  blue,  red,  or  crimson 
flowers  have  been  obtained  from  New  Zealand  shrubby  species 
—  V.  speciosa,  V.  salicifolia  (both  locally  hardy),  and  others. 


152  COLONSAY 

F.  hedercefoUa,  L. — Ivy-leaved  Speedwell.  Garden  weed, 
Kiloran. — Ann.,  May. 

F.  polita,  Fr. — Old  wall,  Kiloran. — Ann.,  May. 

V.  agrestis,  L. — Procumbent  Speedwell.  Common  weed 
of  cultivated  fields  on  the  raised-beach  deposits. — Ann.,  May. 

F.  Tournefortii,  C.  Gmel. — Garden  weed,  Benoran. — 
Ann.,  May. 

F.  peregrina,  L. — A  few  plants  on  gravel-walk,  Kiloran 
garden. — Ann.,  June.  "A  native  of  America;  now  a  weed 
in  Ireland,  Spain,  Belgium,  Holland,  Germany,  and  Italy. 
In  Great  Britain  it  was  first  observed  near  Belfast  in  Ireland  " 
(A.  B.). 

F.  arvensis,  L. — Wall  Veronica.  Abundant  on  old  walls, 
in  pastures,  etc. — Ann.,  July. 

F.  arvensis,  L.,  b  nana,  Poir. — Hollow  in  the  blown 
sands,  Balanahard  Bay. — May. 

F.  serpyllifolia,  L. — Smooth-leaved  Speedwell.  Hills 
above  mill ;  common. — Per.,  May. 

V.  officincdis,  L. — Common  Speedwell.  (Lus  ere.)  Dry 
slopes. — Per.  The  leaves  have  a  slight  degree  of  astrin- 
gency  and  bitterness. 

F.  Chamcedrys,  L. — Germander  Speedwell.  Nuallach,  I. 
Abundant  all  over  the  island. — Per.,  May. 

F.  scutellata,  L. — Marsh  Speedwell.  Marshy  ground, 
Pairc  Bhaile  Mhaide ;  rare. — Per.,  June. 

F.  Beccabunga,  L. — Brooklime.  Lochal,  C.  Biolair  Mhuire, 
I.  Muddy  places  in  various  localities. — Per.,  September. 

Euphrasia,  L. 

Herbs,  the  British  species  of  which  are  annual,  and  semi- 
parasitic  on  the  roots  of  grasses.  Their  tendency  to  hybri- 
dise increases  the  difficulties  of  correct  determination. 
The  following  were  kindly  named  by  the  Eev.  E.  S. 
Marshall,  M.A.,  F.L.S.,  from  dried  specimens  collected 
in  July  and  August,  E.  borealis,  Towns. ,  abundant  on 


THE  FLORA  153 

wet  ground  in  some  of  the  islands,  is  not  included  in  the 
local  list. 

E.  Rostkoviana,  Hayne. — Mr  Ewing  believed  some  speci- 
mens submitted  to  answer  the  description  of  this  species. 
Mr  M'Vicar  found  it  a  common  plant  on  the  West  Coast. 

E.  brevipila,  Burnat  and  Gremli. — Eyebright.  Briollan. 
(Lus-nan-Leac.)  Balaromin-dubh. — August.  One  of  the 
commonest  kinds  in  pastures.  An  infusion  of  this  and  other 
species  was  believed  to  be  beneficial  as  an  application  to 
sore  eyes. 

E.  gracilis,  Fr. — A  slender  species,  found  in  wet  situa- 
tions on  hilly  ground. 

E.  curta,  Wettst.,  b.  glabrescens,  Wettst. — Frequent  on 
sandy,  hilly  ground  near  the  shore. 

Bartsia,  L. 

B.  Odontites,  Huds. — Red  Bartsia.  Moist  situations  in 
fields  and  pastures. — Ann.,  July.  It  is  half  parasitical  on 
the  roots  of  other  plants. 

B.  Odontites,  var.  verna. — Noted  by  Mr  Somerville. 

B.  Odontites,  d.  litoralis,  Reichb. — Growing  down  close  to 
the  sea  rocks,  Port  Mor.  "  This  var.  was  found  by  Mr 
Symers  Macvicar  at  Mingary  Bay,  Ardnamurchan,  Argyll 
shire,  in  July  1896  and  sent  to  me.  Since,  it  has  only 
occurred  near  Wick  in  Caithness  in  1906.  It  occurs  in 
Denmark,  Sweden,  Norway,  Finland,  etc."  (A.  B.). 

Pedicularis,  L. 

P.  palustris,  L. — Marsh  Lousewort ;  Red  Rattle.  Lus 
Riabhach ;  Modhalan  Dearg,  C.  Marshes,  sides  of  ditches, 
etc.  A  taller  and  later  flowering  plant,  it  is  hardly  so 
plentiful  as  the  following  species. — Bi.,  July. 

P.  sylvatica,  L. — Lousewort.  Lus-na-Meala  ;  Bainne-b6- 
Gamhnach ;  Bainne  Crodh  Laoigh.  Abundant  in  peaty 
pastures. — Bi.  or  Per.,  May.  In  olden  times  it  was  believed 


154  COLONSAY 

that  the  plant  caused  animals  which  grazed  on  it  to  become 
subject  to  parasites  (hence  the  common  English  name),  the 
poor  condition  of  the  animals  being  really  due  to  the  inferior 
pasturage  in  which  the  plant  grows.  The  Gaelic  names,  on 
the  other  hand,  were  derived  from  the  honey  secreted  in  the 
floAvers,  which  children  were  in  the  habit  of  sucking. 

RJiinanthus,  L. 

R.  Grista-galli,  L.— Yellow  Rattle.  Gleadhran.  Abund- 
ant in  poor  meadows. — Ann.,  June.  This  plant  has  short 
fibrous  roots  which  become  attached  to  the  living  roots  of 
grasses  and  other  plants  by  means  of  suckers.  These  abstract 
nourishment  from  the  host  plants ;  and  where  it  is  abundant, 
as  at  Crosan,  the  hay  crop  is  invariably  light.  Modhalan 
Buidhe,  C. 

Melampyrum,  L. 

M.  pratense,  L. — Cowwheat.  Not  uncommon  in  dry 
situations  on  the  hilly  ground. — Ann.,  July. 

OROBANCHACE.E  (the  Broomrape  family) 
A  small  order  of  parasitical  herbs.     The  Toothwort  is  a 
parasite  often  growing  in  Britain  on  the  roots  of  the  Hazel. 

Orobanche,  L. 

0.  rubra,  Sm. — Eed  Broomrape.  Muchdg,  I.  Neighbour- 
hood of  Kiloran  Bay,  growing  on  the  roots  of  the  Wild 
Thyme.  A  brittle  plant,  it  is  frequently  broken  down  by 
sheep. — Per.,  June. 

LENTIBULARIACE^E  (the  Pinguicula  family) 
Marsh  or  aquatic  plants  with  spurred  flowers. 

Utricularia,  L. 

U.  major,  Schrnidel. — Common  Bladderwort.  In  deep 
water,  west  Loch  Fada. — Per.,  July. 


THE   FLORA  155 

U.  minor,  L. — Common  in  peat-holes  on  the  moors. — July. 
U.  intermedia,  Hayne. — Peat-bogs,  Kilchattan  hills. 

Pinguicula,  L. 

P.  vulgaris,  L. — Butterwort.  Modalan.  (Badan  Meas- 
gan.)  Frequent  on  wet  banks.  This  plant,  together  with 
the  Whin  and  Juniper,  was  believed  to  act  as  a  charm  against 
witchcraft.  Cows  that  ate  it  were  safe  from  elfish  arrows 
and  supernatural  ailments  that  were  supposed  to  make 
much  havoc  in  olden  times.  It  was  believed  that  a  healthy, 
nice-looking  baby  was  sometimes  coveted  and,  when  the 
opportunity  occurred,  even  carried  off  by  the  fairies  and  a 
languishing,  old-fashioned  creature  left  in  its  place.  Some 
women,  as  the  story  goes,  who  were  watching  a  new-born 
infant  in  a  house  in  Machrins  to  make  sure  that  the  child 
would  not  be  changed,  heard  two  fairies  coming  to  the 
window,  and  the  following  conversation  take  place.  "We 
will  take  it,"  said  one.  "We  will  not,  we  cannot,"  said 
the  other ;  "its  mother  partook  of  the  butter  of  the  cow  that 
ate  the  Butterwort." — Per.,  June.  It  is  said  to  possess  the 
property  of  coagulating  milk. 

P.  lusitanica.  L. — Pale  Butterwort.  Not  uncommon  in 
peat-bogs. — Per.,  August. 

LABIATE  (the  Labiate  family) 

A  large  order,  comprising  upwards  of  3000  species,  wholly 
devoid  of  hurtful  properties.  Aromatic  oil  is  secreted  in 
the  glands  of  the  leaves  of  many,  which  render  them  valu- 
able as  stimulants,  flavouring  herbs,  ingredients  of  perfumes, 
etc.  Marjoram  (Oragan,  C.),  Savory  (Garbhag  Garaidh), 
Hyssop  (Isop),  Sage  (Saitse),  etc.,  are  cultivated  as  pot-herbs. 
In  addition  to  being  used  for  stuffing,  Sage  was  formerly 
in  demand  as  tea.  Lavender  (Lus-na-Tuise,  C.),  Eosemary 
(Corr-Lus),  etc.,  are  largely  used  in  the  preparation  of 
perfumes.  Lavender  is  cultivated  in  Surrey  and  Lincoln- 


156  COLONSAY 

shire  for  the  flowers  from  \vhich  the  oil  is  distilled.  A 
decoction  of  the  leaves  of  Rosemary  is  said  to  relieve  head- 
aches, and  also  to  promote  the  growth  of  hair  and  cure 
baldness.  The  leaves  and  tops  of  Horehound  (Graf an  Ban, 
C.),  in  addition  to  possessing  tonic  and  laxative  properties, 
have  long  been  a  popular  remedy  for  asthma  and  coughs. 
The  beverage  Horehound  beer  is  made  from  it.  Salvia 
splendens  (brilliant  scarlet),  S.  patens  (lovely  blue),  and  many 
other  species  decorate  gardens. 

Mentha,  L. 

Various  species — Pennyroyal  (Borragach,  L),  Peppermint, 
Spearmint,  etc. — have  long  been  cultivated  as  carminative 
aromatics.  For  culinary  purposes  Spearmint  is  preferred, 
as  in  sauces,  salads,  etc. ;  but  for  medicine  Peppermint  and 
Pennyroyal  are  more  efficacious.  A  conserve  of  the  leaves 
is  very  grateful,  and  the  distilled  waters,  both  simple  and 
spirituous,  are  very  agreeable.  The  virtues  of  Mint  are 
those  of  warm  stomachic  and  carminative.  For  winter  use 
the  herb  should  be  cut  in  a  very  dry  season,  and  just  when 
they  are  in  flower ;  if  cut  in  the  wet  they  will  turn  black 
and  be  of  little  worth.  W. 

M,  spicata,  L. — Spearmint.  Cartal  Garaidh.  (Mionnt 
Garaidh.)  Site  of  old  garden,  Pairc-dhubh.  Cultivated  in 
gardens. — Per.,  August. 

M.  piperita,  L. — Peppermint.  (Mionntuinn.)  Burnside, 
Kiloran  Bay.  Formerly  grown  in  Kiloran  garden  for  the 
distillation  of  peppermint  cordial  for  medicinal  use. — Per., 
August. 

M.  aquatica,  L.,  a  liirsuta  (Huds.). — Water  Mint.  Cartal 
Uisge.  This  kind  (irrespective  of  variety),  was  collected 
in  summer  and  used  for  flavouring  both  in  the  green  state 
and  dried.  A  few  sprigs  were  tied  with  a  piece  of  thread 
and  immersed  in  the  vessel  with  the  food  that  was  cooking 


THE  FLORA  157 

until  it  was  sufficiently  flavoured.  (M.  hirsuta,  Rev.  E.  F. 
Linton.) — Per.,  August. 

M.  aquatica,  L.,  x  arvensis. — Moist  ground  west  of  pond, 
Iviloran.  (M.  sativa,  Rev.  E.  F.  Linton.) 

M.  aquatica,  L.,  x  arvensis,  b  paludosa  (Sole). — Ditch^ 
Ceann-da-Leana ;  September.  (M.  paludosa,  Rev.  E.  F. 
Lintoii.) 

(?)  M.  gentilis,  L.  —  Vicinity  of  garden,  Kiloran. — 
September. 

M.  arvensis,  L. — Corn  Mint.  (Mionnt-an-Arbhair.) 
Cornfield,  Uragaig  Bheag. — Per.,  August. 

Lycopus,  L. 

L.  europceus,  L. — Gipsywort.  Feoran  Curraigh,  I.  In 
moist  gullies  on  the  eastern  shore,  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Loch  Fada,  and  other  places. — Per.,  July.  It  dyes  black. 
The  juice  gives  a  permanent  colour  to  linen,  wool,  and  silk, 
•which  will  not  wash  out.  W. 

Thymus,  L. 

The  common  garden  Thyme  (Tim,  L),  used  in  soups  and 
for  stuffings,  etc.,  is  a  native  of  the  south  of  Europe. 

T.  serpyllum,  L. — Wild  Thyme.  Luibh-na-Machrach. 
(Lus-Mhic-Righ-Bhreatuinn.)  Dry  and  sandy  situations, 
especially  near  the  shore.  It  was  much  used  for  making  tea. 
— Per.,  August.  This  plant  had  the  reputation  of  giving 
courage  and  strength  through  its  smell.  Highlanders  take 
an  infusion  of  it  to  prevent  disagreeable  dreams.  C.  The 
dried  leaves,  used  instead  of  tea,  are  exceedingly  grateful  and 
a  good  stomachic ;  the  tops  dye  purple.  W. 

Melissa,  L. 

M.  officinalis,  L. — Common  Balm.  Lus-na-Malla,  L 
Introduced  and  formerly  used  for  making  tea. — Per.,  July. 


158  COLONSAY 

Scutellaria,  L. 

S.  galericulata,  L. — Common  Skullcap.  Stony  shores, 
:Slochd-an-Fhomhair,  and  eastern  side  of  the  island. — Per., 
September. 

S.  minor,  Huds. — Lesser  Skullcap.  Common  in  moist 
situations  in  the  hilly  pastures. — September. 

Prunella,  L. 

P.  vulgaris,  L.  —  Self-heal.  Ceann-a-Sgadain-Dheirg. 
Ceanabhan  Beag,  C.  Abundant ;  white  forms  not  uncommon. 
A  popular  remedy  for  chest  ailments,  it  was  collected  in 
summer,  tied  in  bundles,  and  hung  up  to  the  kitchen  roof  to 
dry  for  winter  use.  The  plants  were  boiled  in  milk  and 
strained  before  using ;  butter  was  added. — Per.,  August. 

Stavhys,  L. 

S.  palustris,  L. — Marsh  Woundwort.  Brisgean-nan-Cao- 
rach.  A  troublesome  weed  found  in  badly  drained  places  in 
•cultivated  fields.  Sheep  are  fond  of  the  fleshy  rhizomes. — 
Per.,  September.  The  roots  have  also  been  used  for  the 
table.  The  plant  was  formerly  held  in  high  repute  for 
wound-healing  and  blood-stopping  qualities. 

S.  sylvatica,  L. — Hedge  Woundwort.  (Lus-nan-Sgor.)  A 
coarse,  hairy  perennial  with  a  fetid  scent ;  not  uncommon  on 
banks  at  the  roadside,  Kiloran. — August. 

S.  arvensis,  L. — Corn  Woundwort.  A  common  weed  of 
cultivated  fields. — Ann.,  August. 

Galeopsis,  L. 

G.  speciosa,  Mill.— An  Gath  Buidhe,  C.  Cultivated 
fields. — Ann.,  September. 

G.  Tetrahit,  L.  — Common  Hemp  Nettle.  Feanndag  Nimh- 
neach.  An  Gath  Dubh,  C.  A  common  cornfield  weed 
— Ann.,  September. 


THE  FLORA  159 

Lamium,  L. 

L.  amplexicaule,  L. — Henbit.  Neannt6g  Chaoch,  I.  Re- 
corded by  Mr  Somerville. 

L.  molucellifolium,  Fr. — Common  garden  weed. — Ann., 
June. 

L.  purpureum,  L. — Red  Dead-nettle.  Neanntag  Aog. 
A  weed  of  gardens  and  fields. — Ann.,  June. 

Teucrium,  L. 

T.  Scorodonia,  L. — Wood  Sage.  Saitse  Fiadhaich.  Abun- 
dant in  dry,  rocky  situations  on  the  east  side  of  the  island. — 
Per.,  August. 

Ajuga,  L. 

A.  reptans,  L. — Creeping  Bugle.  Meacan  Dubh  Fiadh- 
ain,  C.  Abundant,  and  thinly  carpeting  the  ground  with 
its  runners,  under  the  trees  in  Kiloran  woods. — Per.,  May. 
It  was  formerly  used  as  a  vulnerary,  and  possesses  a  con- 
siderable degree  of  astringency.  In  olden  times  it  was  used 
as  a  specific  in  gout,  jaundice,  and  other  complaints. 

A .  pyramidalis,  L.  —  Erect  Bugle.  Rocky  crevices, 
Balanahard.  The  plants  were  much  eaten  by  sheep  or 
rabbits. — Bi.  or  Per.,  May. 

PLANTAGINACE.E  (the  Plantain  family) 

A  small  order,  occurring  in  greatest  abundance  in  the 
temperate  regions  of  the  Old  World. 

Plantago,  L. 

P.  major,  L. — Greater  Plantain;  Way-bread.  Cuach 
Pharuig.  One  of  the  principal  ingredients  used  locally  in 
extracting-plasters.  The  leaf  was  sometimes  warmed,  beaten 
between  the  palms,  and  the  ribs  pulled  out  to  make  them 
smooth  for  applying  to  boils  after  they  commenced  to  run. 


160  COLONSAY 

— Per.,  September.  The  fruiting  spikes  are  gathered  in  the 
green  state  and  used  for  feeding  caged  birds. 

P.  lanceolata,  L. — Ribwort  Plantain ;  Rib  Grass.  Slan- 
lus.  Abundant  in  pastures,  and  one  of  the  most  commonly 
used  herbs  for  medicinal  purposes.  It  was  pounded  inta 
pulp  and  laid  over  wounds  and  used  as  an  ingredient  in  the 
healing  ointments. — Bi.  or  Per.,  July.  It  was  formerly 
cultivated  on  the  mainland  as  a  forage  plant. 

P.  maritima,  L. — Seaside  Plantain.  Feur  Saille.  Com- 
mon at  the  seaside.  Cattle  are  fond  of  it,  and  it  is  believed 
to  improve  the  yield  of  cream  and  butter.  It  was  gathered 
for  pet  rabbits. — Per.,  July. 

P.  maritima,  var.  glabrata. — Uragaig  shore.     September. 

P.  coronopus,  L. — Buckshorn  Plantain.  Star  of  the  Earth. 
Abundant  in  dry  situations  near  the  shore. — Bi.,  July.  It 
was  formerly  cultivated  in  this  country  for  the  leaves,  which 
were  used  in  salads ;  it  is  still  grown  in  France. 

Littorela,  Bergius. 

L.  uniflora,  Aschers. — Shore-weed.  Abundant  along  the 
shallow,  stony  margins  of  the  lochs. — Per.,  July. 

ILLECEBRACE^E  (the  Illebrecum  family). 
Weedy  herbs  or  shrubs   abounding  in   the   more   sterile 
tracts  of  temperate  regions. 

Sderanthus,  L. 

S.  annuus,  L. — Knawel.  Cobhair  Mhuire,  I.  A  small 
annual  of  fields  and  waste  places,  recorded  by  Mr  Somerville. 

AMARANTHACE,E  (the  Amaranthus  family) 
A  large  tropical  order,  several  foreign  species  of  which  are 
becoming  naturalised  in  this  country.     Tender   varieties — 
Love-lies-Bleeding    (Lus-a-Ghraidh,    C.),    Prince's    Feather, 
Cockscomb — are  grown  in  gardens. 


THE  FLORA  161 

Amaranthus,  L. 

A.  sp. — Vacant  ground,  Kiloran ;  introduced  with  feeding- 
stuffs. — Ann.,  August. 

CHENOPODIACE^;  (the  Goosefoot  family) 

A  large  order  growing  in  waste  places  and  within  the 
influence  of  a  saline  atmosphere.  Some  possess  medicinal 
properties,  and  others — Spinach  (Spionaiste ;  Lus  Mine,  I.), 
Beet,  etc. — are  cultivated  as  kitchen  garden  esculents.  Mari- 
time species  were  formerly  valued  for  the  quantity  of  soda 
contained  in  their  ashes. 

Chenopodium,  L. 

A  rather  large  genus  of  herbs.  The  farinaceous  seeds  of  C. 
Quinoa  are  an  important  article  of  food  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Peru,  and  it  is  sometimes  cultivated  in  gardens  and  the  leaves 
used  like  Spinach.  Good  King  Henry,  All-good  (Praiseach 
Brathair,  C.),  was  formerly  much  used  as  a  pot-herb. 

C.  album,  L.— White  Goosefoot.  Cal  Slapach.  Waysides. 
The  leaves  were  boiled,  pounded,  buttered,  and  eaten  like 
Spinach. — Ann.,  August. 

Beta,  L. 

B.  maritima,  L. — Common  Beet.    (Biotais.)     A  few  plants 
on  the  rocky  shore  near  Carraig  Chatan. — Per.,  June.     The 
sugar  and  garden  varieties  of  Beet  and  the  Mangold  Wurzel 
are  improved  forms  of  the  wild  species. 

Atriplex,  L. 

I  A  large  genus,  generally  common  in  maritime  regions.     A. 

hortensis  (Orache),  a  native  of  Tartary,  is  cultivated  for  its 
leaves. 

A.  patula,    L.— Common   Orache.     Praiseach   Mhin,   C. 

11 


162  COLONSAY 

Stony  shore,  Scalasaig  harbour. — Ann.,  August.  It  is  some- 
times gathered  as  a  pot-herb  and  eaten  in  lieu  of  Spinach 
and  other  greens.  W. 

A.  patula,  b.  erecta,  Huds. — A  more  erect  form  than  the 
type  abundant  at  Port  Mor. 

A.  patula,  c.  angustifolia  (Sm.).  —  Recorded  by  Messrs 
Grieve  and  Miller. 

A.  Babingtonii,  Woods. — Seashores. — Ann.,  August. 

A.  Babingtonii,  b.  virescens,  Lange. — Shore,  Balaromin- 
dubh. 

A.  laciniata,  L. — Frosted  Orache.  Kiloran  Bay  sands ; 
a  few  plants. — Ann.,  August. 

A.  Smithii,  Syme. — Port  Mor  shore. — September. 

Salicornia,  L. 

S.  europcea,  L. — Glasswort.  Praiseach-na-Mara,  C.  Salt- 
marsh,  Strand  and  Port-an-Obain,  Scalasaig. — Ann.,  Sep- 
tember. 

Suceda,  Forsk. 

S.  maritima,  Durn.,  b.  procumbens,  Syme.  —  Sea-Blite. 
Plentiful  north  of  the  harbour. — Ann.,  August. 

Salsola,  L. 

S.  Kali,  L. — Prickly  Saltwort.  Sandy  shores. — Ann., 
August. 

POLYGONACEJ2  (the  Buckwheat  family) 

A  large  order,  mostly  herbaceous  plants,  readily  known 
by  a  membraneous  sheath  round  the  stem,  at  the  base  of  the 
leaf-stalk.  The  foliage  of  some  have  an  acid  juice ;  others 
are  strongly  astringent.  The  roots  are  often  purgative. 
Many,  such  as  the  Knot-grass  and  Dock,  are  common  and 
troublesome  weeds.  The  best-known  plants  of  the  family 
are  the  garden  Rhubarb  (Lus-na-Purgaid)  and  Buckwheat, 
the  latter  largely  cultivated  on  the  Continent  and  in  North 


THE  FLOKA  163 

America  for  its  farinaceous  seeds,  from  which  an  excellent 
"bread  is  made.  Medicinal  Rhubarb  is  obtained  from  the 
dried  roots  of  various  species  of  Rheum,  natives  of  China 
and  Tibet. 

Polygonum,  L. 

P.  Convolvulus,  L. — Climbing  Buckwheat.  Casraiginn. 
A  weed  of  cultivated  fields. — Ann.,  July. 

P.  Convolvulus,  L.,  b  subalatum,  V.  Hall. — Garden  weed, 
Kiloran. — October. 

P.  aviculare,  L. — Bird's  Knotgrass.  Gluineach  Bheag, 
C.  Shingly  shores,  edges  of  fields,  etc.  Grazing  animals 
are  fond  of  it. — Ann.,  July. 

P.  Raii,  Bab. — One  plant ;  locality  uncertain. 

P.  Hydropiper,  L.  —  Water-pepper.  Gluineach  Theth  ; 
Lus-an-Fhogair,  C.  Ditches  and  edges  of  pools. — Ann., 
August.  The  whole  plant  has  an  acrid,  burning  taste  ;  it 
dyes  wool  yellow.  W. 

P.  Persicaria,  L. — Spotted  Knotweed.  Gluineach  Dhearg. 
A  common  weed  of  cultivated  fields. — Ann.,  July.  Lus 
Chroinn-ceusaidh  (the  legend  being  that  this  plant  grew  at 
the  foot  of  the  Cross,  and  drops  of  blood  fell  on  the  leaves, 
and  so  they  are  spotted  to  this  day).  C. 

P.  amphibium,  L. — Amphibious  Buckwheat.  Gluineach 
Uisge.  Abundant  in  wet  situations,  and  also  frequently  seen 
in  comparatively  dry  places. — Per.,  August. 

Rumex,  L. 

Perennials,  with  a  thick  root-stock.  Several  kinds,  as  the 
French  and  the  Mountain  Sorrel,  are  grown  for  their  leaves, 
which  are  used  in  soups,  salads,  and  sauces.  The  roots  of 
an  American  species  are  used  for  tanning.  R.  Patientia 
(Patience)  was  formerly  much  grown  for  its  leaves. 

R.  conglomerates,  Murr.  —  Clustered  Dock.  Moist 
gullies,  Kiloran  Bay  and  Ardskenish  Glen. — August. 


164  COLONSAY 

It.  obtmifoUus,  L. — Broad  Dock.  Vacant  ground,  Kiloran, 
— August.  Fallow  deer  eat  this  species  with  avidity,  eating 
it  close  to  the  root,  so  that  it  is  very  rare  to  see  a  Dock 
growing  in  a  deer  park.  W. 

R.  obtusifolius,  sub.  sp.  R.  Friesii,  Gren.  and  Godr. — 
Kiloran. — September. 

R.  crispus,  L. — Curled  Dock.  Copag.  Common  on  the 
shore,  growing  down  to  the  tide-mark. — August. 

R.  crispus,  L.,  var.  littoreus,  Hardy. — Waste  places. — 
September. 

R.  Acetosa,  L. — Sorrel.  Samh ;  Sealbhag.  Abundant  in 
moist  situations.  Used  locally  for  taking  rust  out  of  linen, 
and  employed  in  the  process  of  dyeing  with  indigo. — July. 
The  leaves,  which  are  powerfully  acid,  are  eaten  in  sauces 
and  salads.  W.  Slochd-na-Sealbhag,  Balanahard. 

R.  Acetosella,  L. — Sheep's  Sorrel.  Ruanaidh,  C.  Dry 
hillocks. — August. 

EL£:AGNACE,E  (the  Oleaster  family) 

A  small  order  of  trees  and  shrubs,  represented  in  Britain 
by  one  species.  Buffalo  Berries,  used  for  preserves,  are 
produced  by  a  spiny  North  American  shrub. 

Hippoplice,  L. 

H.  Rhamnoides,  L. — Sea  Buckthorn.  Planted  for  screen- 
ing young  plantations,  and  now  spreading  (by  suckers). 

The  Common  Mistletoe  (Druidhlus,  I.)  is  the  only  British 
representative  of  the  next  order,  Loranthaceae,  a  family  of 
half-succulent  evergreens  which  are  parasitical  on  trees. 
The  Mistletoe  grows  on  the  Apple,  Thorn,  Oak,  Lime,  etc., 
in  the  south  of  England.  It  was  regarded  with  great 
veneration  by  the  Druids,  who  believed  it  would  cure  all 
manner  of  diseases.  When  found  growing  on  the  Oak,  it 
was,  with  great  ceremony,  cut  by  a  Druid  clothed  in  a 


THE  FLORA  165 

white  robe,  with  a  golden  sickle,  and  a  sacrifice  of  two 
white  bulls  offered  on  the  spot. 

EUPHORBIACE.E  (the  Spurge  family) 

An  important  tropical  order,  most  of  the  species  containing 
lactiferous  vessels  with  a  milky  fluid,  often  dangerously 
poisonous  (Manchineel,  etc.),  sometimes  valuable  as  rubber. 
The  seeds  of  exotic  species  contain  oil — Castor  oil,  Croton 
oil.  Other  species  are  valued  for  their  timber,  edible  fruits, 
and  nuts.  A  large  Brazilian  tree  yields  the  Para  rubber. 
Tapioca  is  obtained  from  the  roots  of  the  Bitter  Cassava, 
a  plant  so  highly  poisonous  that  animals  which  drink  of 
the  water  where  the  roots  have  been  washed  and  scraped 
often  die.  The  poison  (prussic  acid)  is  dispelled  by  heat. 
In  China,  candles  are  made  from  solid  oil  contained  in  the 
seeds  of  the  Tallow  tree.  The  seeds  of  the  Candle-nut  tree 
are  strung  on  pieces  of  bamboo  by  natives  of  the  South  Sea 
Islands  and  burned  like  candles.  Dwarf  forms  of  the 
Common  Box  (Bocsa)  (which  differs  from  most  plants  of 
the  order  in  the  absence  of  milky  juice)  are  used  for  edging 
garden  walks.  Brilliant  flowered  and  beautifully  variegated 
foliaged  species  (Poinsettias,  Crotons)  are  grown  in  hot- 
houses. 

Euphorbia,  L. 

E,  Helioscopia,  L. — Sun  Spurge.  Cranntachan-an-Deamh- 
ain.  Foinne-lus,  C.  Cultivated  fields.  The  milky  juice  was 
applied  to  warts. — Ann.,  August. 

E.  Peplus,  L. — Petty  Spurge.  (Lus  Leigheis.)  Garden 
weed,  Kiloran. — Ann.,  September. 

MercuriaUs,  L. 

M.  perennis,  L. — Perennial  Mercury.  (Lus-Ghlinn-Bhraca- 
dail.)  Recorded  by  Messrs  Grieve  and  Miller.  It  was 
formerly  much  used  for  the  cure  of  wounds.  C. 


166  COLONSAY 

URTICACE^E  (the  Nettle  family) 

A  large  order,  of  warm  climates,  with  leaves  often  rough 
or  stinging,  and  small  unisexual  flowers.  The  family 
includes  many  interesting  species.  Edible  fruit,  fibre 
(hemp,  ramie,  etc.),  and  timber  are  their  principal  products  ; 
some  have  a  milky  juice.  From  time  immemorial  the  Fig- 
tree  (Crann  Fige)  has  been  esteemed  for  its  fruit.  The 
renowned  Banyan-tree  of  India  is  another  species  of  Ficus. 
In  hot  countries  the  Bread-fruit  is  a  staple  article  of  food, 
the  Jack-fruit,  a  near  relative,  growing  to  an  enormous  size. 
While  Hemp  (Cainb)  is  cultivated  in  temperate  countries 
for  its  fibre,  it  is  grown  in  India  for  a  narcotic  resin  which 
produces  intoxication.  In  Eastern  countries  the  White 
Mulberry  is  planted  for  feeding  silkworms,  and  the  Black 
Mulberry  (Crann  Maol-Dhearc)  in  Europe  for  its  fruit.  The 
juice  of  the  Venezuelan  Cow-tree  resembles  milk,  and  is 
used  as  such  by  the  people.  Lac,  dyes,  etc.,  are  obtained 
from  other  species.  The  India  Kubber  is  a  useful  parlour 
plant. 

Ulmus,  L. 

U.  montana,  Stokes. — Scots  or  Wych  Elm.  Learnhaiu 
Cultivated  forms,  now  springing  up  spontaneously  from 
seed,  are  among  the  commonest  trees  in  Kiloran  woods. 
The  wood  lasts  well  for  works  in  damp  situations,  and  is 
locally  used  for  cart-shafts,  oars,  etc. — April. 

U.  campestris,  L.,  b  suberosa  (Moench). — Common  Elm. 
Kecorded  by  Mr  Grieve. 

Humulus,  L. 

H.  Lupulus,  L. — Common  Hop.  Lionn  Luibh,  C.  Intro- 
duced.— July.  Cultivated  in  Kent  for  the  female  flowers. 
They  are  dried  over  charcoal  fires,  and  added  to  beer  to  give 
it  a  better  flavour  and  stop  its  fermentation. 


THE  FLORA  167 

Urtica,  L. 

U.dioica,L. — Common  Nettle.  Feanndagach;  Feanndag. 
The  young  tops,  in  spring,  are  used  in  kale  (brot  Feann- 
dagaich).  Boiled  with  oatmeal  the  liquid  was  given  to  cattle 
suffering  from  "  tart." — Per.,  July. 

U.  pilulifera,  L.  —  Roman  Nettle.  Recorded  by  Mr 
Somerville. — Ann. 

U.  urens,  L. — Small  Nettle.  Feanndagach  Leamhuinne. 
Garden  weed. — Ann.,  August.  The  leaves  are  gathered, 
cut  to  pieces,  and  used  as  a  stimulant  in  the  food  of 
young  turkeys.  \V. 

MYRICACE.E  (the  Gale  family) 

A  small  order,  some  species  producing  wax  from  which 
candles  are  made.  The  Wax  Myrtle  is  a  hardy  North 
American  evergreen. 

Myrica,  L. 

M.  Gale,  L.— Sweet  Gale.  Bog  Myrtle.  Roid(eagach). 
Boggy  situations.  An  infusion  of  the  leafy  tops  was  given 
to  children  as  a  remedy  for  "  worms." — June.  It  is  used  for 
numerous  purposes  by  the  Highlanders,  e.g.,  as  a  substitute 
for  hops;  for  tanning;  and  from  its  supposed  efficacy  in 
destroying  insects  beds  were  strewn  and  even  made  of 
the  twigs  of  the  Gale.  C.  Badge  of  the  Campbells. 

CUPDLIFERJE  (the  Oak  family) 

Trees  and  shrubs,  the  inflorescence  usually  a  more  or  less 
pendulous  spike  of  unisexual  flowers,  known  as  a  catkin. 
Many  species  grow  into  large  trees  and  furnish  valuable 
timber;  the  bark  of  some  is  used  in  tanning  and  also  in 
medicine.  Sweet  Chestnut  (Geanm-Chno),  Hazel,  etc., 
produce  edible  nuts,  which  also  yield  oil.  For  grandeur 
and  beauty  some  exotic  species  are  unsurpassed  in  this 


168  COLONSAY 

country.     The   London  Plane  withstands  the  smoky  atmo- 
sphere of  London  better  than  any  other  tree. 

Betula,  L. 

A  small  genus  of  graceful  trees.  Various  ornamental  articles 
are  made  from  the  bark  of  the  North  American  Paper-birch. 
Weeping  forms  are  highly  ornamental.  The  following  were 
kindly  named  by  Kev.  E.  S.  Marshall,  M.A.,  F.L.S. 

B.  alba,  L. — Silver  Birch.  Beithe-geal.  Recorded  by 
Mr  Grieve.  Badge  of  the  Clan  Buchanan. 

B.  alba,  L.,   x  tomentosa. — Natural  wood. — May. 

B.  tomentosa,  Keith  and  Abel. — Common  Birch.  Beithe. 
This,  and  its  varieties,  constitutes  the  bulk  of  the  natural 
woods.  The  wood  was  used  of  old,  as  now,  for  making 
bobbins.  Shinties  were  made  from  the  branches,  as  the 
wood  was  free  from  "deurach."  Brooms  and  withes  (gad) 
were  made  from  the  fine  spray.  The  bark  was  used  for 
tanning. — May. 

B.  tomentosa,  R.  and  A.,  b  denudata,  E.  S.  Marshall. — 
South-east  of  Sron  Fhionnlaidh. 

B.  tomentosa,  R.  and  A.,  c  parvifolia,  E.  S.  M. — Dwarf 
trees,  heather  hills  above  Coille  Bheag.  Named  by  Mr 
Bennett. 

Alnus,  Hill. 

A.  rotundifolia,  Mill. — Common  Alder.  Fearn.  Side  of 
burn,  Kiloran.  It  was  largely  employed  for  planting  in 
wet  situations  in  Kiloran  woods.  The  bark  and  small 
branches,  by  boiling,  gave  a  black  dye  which  (with  copperas) 
was  used  for  dyeing  yarn,  etc. — March.  In  Ireland  the 
wood  is  used  for  making  clog-soles.  The  wood  has  the 
peculiarity  of  splitting  best  from  the  root,  hence  the  saying  : 
"Gach  fiodh  o'n  bharr,  's  am  Fearn  o'n  bhun."  The 
young  wood  is  used  for  making  charcoal  for  the  manufacture 
of  gunpowder. 


THE  FLORA  169 

Corylus,  L. 

C.  Avellana,  L. — Hazel.  Calltuinn.  Generally  used 
for  walking-sticks,  tool-handles,  and  in  the  making  of 
agricultural  and  lobster  creels.  The  nuts  are  edible ;  they 
were  collected  for  burning  on  Hallowe'en. — March.  The 
badge  of  the  Colquhouns. 

Quercus,  L. 

A  numerous  genus,  of  temperate  regions.  Cork  is  obtained 
from  the  bark  of  the  Cork  Oak,  a  native  of  South-Western 
Europe.  The  Holm  or  Evergreen  Oak  is  commonly  planted 
as  an  ornamental  tree. 

Q.  Robur,  L. — British  Oak.  Darach.  Common  in  one 
or  other  of  its  forms  in  the  eastern  and  southern  parts  of  the 
island.  In  exposed  positions  it  is  seen  sometimes  as  a  prostrate, 
low  shrub  growing  only  to  the  height  of  the  heather.  The 
wood  was  locally  used  in  house  and  boat  building,  and  for 
the  manufacture  of  furniture.  The  bark  was  employed  for 
tanning  the  red  leather  that  shoes  were  formerly  made  of. 
The  mucilaginous  inner  bark  (Failm-an-Daraich)  was  applied 
to  wounds  on  horses. — May.  Badge  of  the  Camerons. 

(?)  Q.  Robur,  var.  sessiliflora. — Coille-mhor.  Specimens 
were,  with  some  hesitation,  named  Q.  pedunculata  by 
several  authorities. 

Fagus,  L. 

Trees  represented  in  gardens  by  pendulous  forms,  and 
others  with  beautiful  bronze-coloured  leaves. 

F.  sylvatica,  L. — Beech.  (Craobh  Faidbhile.)  Growing 
spontaneously  in  dry,  rocky  situations  with  a  northern 
exposure  in  Kiloran  woods. — May.  Beech  oil  is  extracted 
from  the  fruit  (beech-mast)  in  North  Germany,  and  is  used 
for  food  and  for  burning.  The  wood  is  hard,  and  valuable 
for  planes,  lasts,  etc. 


170  COLONSAY 


Salix,  L. 

Trees  and  shrubs  growing  in  a  variety  of  situations,  both  in 
low  countries  and  at  high  alpine  stations.  The  bark  possesses 
febrifuge  properties.  Osiers  for  basket  -  making  are  the 
shoots  from  pollard  stumps  of  S.  viminalis,  S.  purpurea, 
S.  triandra,  etc.  Willows  are  adapted  for  planting  in  wet 
situations.  S.  babylonica  (Seileach-an-t-Srutha,  C.),  from 
China,  is  one  of  the  best  known  of  Weeping  Willows. 

S.  alba,  L.— White  Willow.  Saile6g,  I.  Introduced. 
Craobh  Dhomhnuill  Oig  (at  Seann  Mhuileann),  felled  about 
thirty  years  ago,  was  of  this  species,  and  one  of  the  largest 
trees  in  the  island. — May.  The  wood  is  light  and  tough, 
and  used  in  making  cricket-bats,  etc.  The  young  wood  is 
burned  into  charcoal  for  the  manufacture  of  gunpowder. 

S.  purpurea,  L. — Purple  Willow.     Introduced. — May. 

S.  viminalis,  L. — Common  Osier.  Seileach  Uisge.  Near 
pond,  Kiloran.  Used  for  making  baskets. — May. 

S.  stipularis,  Sm. — East  end  of  Loch  Fada. — May. 

S.  caprea,  L. — Common  Sallow.  Goat  Willow.  Plantation, 
Allt-ruadh.  Introduced. — May.  The  wood  and  branches 
of  the  Sallow  are  particularly  useful  for  making  hurdles, 
handles  of  hatchets,  and  shoemakers'  boards ;  its  bark  is 
bitter  and  astringent;  the  Highlanders  employ  it  to  tan 
leather,  and  the  handles  of  various  agricultural  implements 
are  made  from  the  wood.  W. 

S.  aurita,  L. — Round-eared  Willow.  Suileag,  C.  On 
heather-covered  hills,  often  as  a  low  shrubby  plant  not 
much  taller  than  the  heather. — May. 

S.  cinerea,  L. — Grey  Sallow.  Dubh  Sheileach.  Common 
in  moist  situations.  Used  for  making  agricultural  creels 
and  for  tanning  leather.  Early  in  the  season,  when  the  sap 
begins  to  flow  and  the  bark  parts  readily  from  the  wood, 
boys  make  whistles  of  the  smooth  branches. — May. 


THE  FLORA  171 

S.  repens,  L. — Creeping  Willow.  Seileach  Lair.  Found 
in  a  variety  of  situations  at  Loch  Fada  side  and  on  dry 
sandy  hills  near  the  shore. — April. 

S.  repens,  L.,/  argentea  (Sin.). — Recorded  by  Mr  Grieve. 

[S.  Smithiana,  Willd.,  and  S.  Smithiana,  W.,  var.  stipularis, 
Ander.— Both  from  Kiloran.— May.  (A.B.)] 

[S.  ambigua.—End  of  May.     (A.B.)] 

Populus,  L. 

A  small  genus  of  fast-growing  trees.  P.  nigra  is  recom- 
mended for  planting  on  stiff  clays  or  in  wet  places  where 
more  valuable  trees  will  not  thrive.  The  Lombardy  Poplar 
is  remarkable  for  its  slender,  erect,  lofty  form. 

P.  alba,  L.— White  Poplar.  Craobh  Phobuill,  C. 
Introduced. 

P.  tremula,  L. — Aspen.  A'  Chritheach.  Commonly  met 
with  in  the  eastern  half  of  the  island,  often  as  stunted 
specimens  growing  out  of  clefts  of  rocks. — March.  In 
Coille-Bheag  some  of  the  trees  in  favourable  situations 
exceed  thirty  feet  in  height. 

"Ma  spionas  thu  a'  Chritheach  6g 
Bidh  do  chridhe  air  chrith  ri  d'bheo." 

P.  nigra,  L. — Black  Poplar.  Cultivated  forms  of  this 
species  have  been  planted  in  wet  situations,  and  they  have 
now  attained  to  a  considerable  size,  but  they  are  liable  to 
be  blown  over. 

EMPETRACE.E  (the  Empetrum  family) 
A  small  order  of  alpine,  heath-like  plants. 

Empetrum,  L. 

E.  nigrum,  L. — Crowberry.  Grainnseag;  Luis  na  Fionnaig, 
C.  On  the  east  side  of  the  island  it  hangs  over  the  edges  of 


172  COLONSAY 

the  gullies  in  the  natural  woods.  The  plant  was  frequently 
applied  to  festering  sores.  The  berries  are  said  to  cause 
headache  when  eaten  in  quantity.  Grouse  are  fond  of 
them;  boiled  with  alum  they  produce  a  dark  purple  dye. 
C.  Badge  of  the  M'Leans.  Caor  Fionoige,  I. 


Class  II.  MONOCOTYLEDONS 

Monocotyledons  comprise  about  a  quarter  of  our  native 
plants — grass-like,  bulbous,  or  aquatic  herbs.  Palmacese  is 
one  of  the  most  important  orders,  almost  wholly  tropical,  of 
this  class,  furnishing  food,  housing,  and  utensils  to  the 
inhabitants  of  warm  climates.  Dates,  coco-nuts,  oil,  sugar, 
starch,  vegetable  ivory,  canes,  etc.,  are  among  the  many 
natural  products,  and  mats,  brooms,  brushes,  textile  fabrics 
etc.,  manufactured  articles,  of  this  large  order  which  find 
their  way  into  commerce.  To  another  important  tropical 
order  (Scitaminse)  belong  the  ginger,  arrowroot,  banana, 
plantain,  manilla  hemp,  etc.  Starchy  matter  from  the 
stem  of  various  species  of  palm  is  one  of  the  sources  of 
sago. 

ORCHIDACEJ;  (the  Orchid  family) 

An  interesting  order,  abundant  in  moist  tropical  forests, 
and  comprising  the  loveliest  flowering  plants.  In  temperate 
climates  they  are  usually  terrestrial,  but  in  the  tropics  many 
are  epiphytes  and  grow  on  the  stems  and  branches  of  trees. 
Vanilla  is  the  dried  aromatic  fruit  of  a  tall,  climbing  West 
Indian  Orchid.  Salep,  a  nutritious  food,  is  obtained  from  the 
tubers  of  various  terrestrial  kinds.  The  many  beautiful 
species  introduced  are  grown  in  this  country  in  hothouses 
specially  built  for  their  requirements.  All  the  following 
species  are  perennials.  They  live  from  year  to  year  by  forming 
each  season  a  new  tuber  beside  the  old  one,  which  withers 
after  flowering. 


THE  FLORA  17a 

Malaocis,  Soland 

M.  paludosa,  Sw. — Bog  Orchis.  A  curious  little  orchis 
found  locally  in  the  Sphagnum  moss,  Rioma-mhor,  Machrins. 
— August. 

Listera,  Br. 

L.  cordata,  Br. — Lesser  Twayblade.  A  slender  little  plant 
growing  out  of  the  moss  under  the  heather,  Beinn-nan- 
Gudairean. — August. 

L.  ovata,  Br. — Twayblade.  DaVDhuilleach ;  Da-Bhileach, 
C.  Not  uncommon  in  moist  meadows. — June. 

Helleborine,  Hill 

H.  longifolia,  Rendle  and  Britten. — Marsh  Helleborine 
Orchis.  Seen  in  two  localities  only,  moist  situations,  sandy 
ground. — July. 

Orchis,  L. 

The  various  species  of  this  genus  are  by  far  the  most 
abundant  of  our  local  orchises,  adorning  the  landscape  in 
early  summer  with  their  many-coloured  blossoms. 

0.  pyramidalis,  L. — Pyramidal  Orchis.  Shelly  sandy 
situations.  Glen  and  Iviloran  Bay. — July. 

0.  mascula,  L. — Early  Orchis.  Moth  Urach,  C.  Ard- 
skenish  Glen  and  ledges  of  rocks,  Druim  Buiteachan. — May. 
Salep  is  prepared  from  the  dried  root  of  this  species.  The 
best  time  to  gather  the  root  is  when  the  seed  is  ripe  and  the 
stalk  going  to  fall,  for  then  the  new  bulb,  of  which  Salep  is 
made,  has  arrived  at  its  full  size.  They  are  afterwards 
washed,  peeled,  baked  in  an  oven,  and  dried.  It  affords  mild 
and  wholesome  nutriment  superior  to  rice. — W. 

0.  incarnata,  L. — Wet  sandy  situations. — June. 

0.  latifolia,  L. — Marsh  Orchis.  Loch  side,  below 
Screadan. — July. 


174  COLONSAY 

0.  maculata,  L. — Spotted  Orchis.  Urach  Bhallach,  C. 
Common  in  meadows  and  pastures. — June. 

0.  ericetorum,  Linton. — Morag.  One  of  the  commonest 
species.  — July. 

Habenaria,  Willd. 

H.  conopsea,  Benth. — Fragrant  Orchis.  Lus  Taghta,  C. 
Ardskenish  Glen  and  Balaromin-mor. — July. 

H.  albida,  Br. — One  specimen,  Balanahard  hills. 

H.  viridis,  Br. — Frog  Orchis.  Sandy  ground,  Balanahard 
and  Kiloran  Bay. — July. 

H.  bifolia,  Br. — Butterfly  Orchis.  A  sweet-smelling  species, 
not  uncommon  in  moist  meadows. — July. 

H.  virescens,  Druce. — Noted  by  Mr  Somerville  in  Scalasaig 
meadows,  near  the  Post  Office. 

IRIDACB.E  (the  Iris  family) 

Perennial  herbs,  usually  with  an  enlarged  root-stock — 
bulbs,  corins,  or  rhizomes,  etc.,  numerously  represented  in 
dry,  sunny  countries,  as  South  Africa.  The  perfume,  Essence 
of  Violets,  is  prepared  from  the  roots  of  a  species  of  Iris. 
The  order  includes  splendid  flowering  genera — Iris,  Gladiolus, 
Crocus,  etc. 

Iris,  L. 

I. Pseud-acorus,  L. — Yellow  Iris;  Yellow  Flag.  Seileastair. 
Abundant  in  wet  situations.  A  grey  dye  is  extracted,  by 
boiling,  from  the  root.  Writing-ink  was  also  obtained  from 
it  (with  copperas).  In  dry  situations  the  roots  are  some- 
times eaten  in  winter  by  rabbits,  which  burrow  after  them 
into  the  ground. — Per.,  June. 

AMARYLLIDACE^;  (the  Amaryllis  family) 

Bulbous  herbs,  found  mostly  in  hot,  sunny  countries.  The 
"bulbs  are  stored  up  with  the  various  forms  of  plant- food,  which 


THE  FLORA  175 

enables  them  to  tide  over  the  dry  seasons  in  hot  climates 
without  injury.  Many  species,  as  the  Daffodil,  Snowdrop 
(Gealag  Lair),  and  Snowflake,  have  emetic  and  purgative 
properties.  Some  are  poisonous  ;  the  juice  of  a  South  African 
bulb  being  used  by  the  Hottentots  for  poisoning  their 
arrows.  Strong  fibre  is  obtained  from  species  of  Agave. 
Amaryllis  are  showy  flowering  plants  of  hothouses,  and 
Narcissus,  etc.,  of  the  flower-garden. 

Narcissus,  L. 

N.  Pseudo-Narcissus,  L.— Daffodil;  Lent  Lily.  (Lus-a- 
Chrom-Chinn).  Lus-an-Aisige,  I.  Introduced. — Per.,  April. 

N.  major,  Curt. — Lili  Bhuidhe.  Introduced  about  a 
century  ago,  and  spreading  along  the  banks  of  Kiloran  burn. 
The  green  leaves  are  minced  and,  mixed  with  their  corn, 
given  to  horses  for  worms. — Per.,  April. 

2V.  biftorus,  Curt. — Primrose  Peerless.  Introduced,  and 
growing  in  clumps  at  Tigh  Samhraidh. — Per.,  May. 

LILIACE.E  (the  Lily  family) 

In  this  extensive  order  there  is  an  interesting  gathering 
of  plants  exhibiting  great  diversity  in  habit  as  well  as  in 
geographical  distribution.  Many  are  perennial  herbs  with 
a  bulbous  root-stock;  a  few  (Butcher's-broom)  are  shrubby, 
and  some  (Smilax)  are  climbers,  while  others  (Dracaena, 
Yucca)  are  more  or  less  of  an  arborescent  character.  Many 
possess  active,  sometimes  poisonous,  properties.  Aloes  is  the 
inspissated  juice  of  several  West  Indian  and  South  African 
species  of  Aloe.  The  corms  of  the  Meadow  Saffron  (Cr6ch) 
are  used  for  rheumatism.  The  products  of  the  order  include 
fibre  from  the  New  Zealand  and  African  Hemps,  Sarsaparilla 
from  the  roots  of  Smilax,  dragon's-blood  from  the  famous 
Dragon-tree  of  Teneriffe.  Liliums,  Hyacinths,  Tulips  (Tuiliop, 
€.),  Lily  of  the  Valley  (Lili-nan-L6n,  C.),  are  choice  flower- 


176  COLONSAY 

ing  plants ;  and  species  of  Allium,  Asparagus  (Creamh-mac- 
Fiadh,  C.),  etc.,  indispensable  kitchen-garden  esculents. 

Ruscus,  L. 

R.  aculeatus,  L. — Butcher's  Broom.  Calg-Bhrudhainn,  C. 
Introduced,  and  useful  for  planting  in  shaded  places  under 
trees.  In  Italy  it  is  made  into  besoms,  with  which  butchers 
sweep  their  blocks.  W. 

Polygonatum,  Hill. 

P.  officinale,  All. — Solomon-seal.  A  few  plants  grow 
ing  spontaneously  in  Kiloran  woods. — Per.,  June. 

Allium,  L. 

Bulbous  herbs,  possessing  the  peculiar  onion  or  garlic  smell. 
The  Onion  (Uinnean)  is  believed  to  have  originated  in  Africa. 
It  was  cultivated  in  ancient  times  by  the  Egyptians  and 
the  Jews.  The  Leek  (Creamh-Garaidh)  is  now  regarded  as 
a  cultivated  variety  of  the  Wild  Leek.  The  Shallot  (Sgalaid, 
C.)  and  the  Garlic  (Gairgean  Gkraidh)  are  other  useful  species. 

A.  Schoenoprasum,  L. — Chives.  Feuran.  Cultivated  in 
gardens  for  the  leaves,  which  are  used  as  a  spring  seasoning 
for  soups,  mashed  potatoes,  etc. 

A.  ursinum,  L. — Kamsons ;  Broad-leaved  Garlic.  Creamh. 
Common  in  damp  situations  in  Kiloran  woods,  and  in  gullies 
along  the  northern  shore.  Formerly  used  for  seasoning.  It 
is  said  to  impart  a  disagreeable  flavour  to  the  milk  of  cows 
and  to  the  flesh  of  rabbits  that  eat  it. — Per.,  June. 

Scilla,  L. 

S.  verna,  Huds. — Spring  Squill.  Lear-Uinnean,  C. 
Not  rare  in  sandy,  rocky  situations  at  the  shore.  White 
forms  of  it  were  seen  at  Poll  Gorm. — Per.,  May. 

S.  non-scripta,  Hoffmgg.  and   Link.  —  Wood   Hyacinth ; 


THE   FLORA  17T 

English  Bluebell.  Bogha-Muc.  Abundant,  Kiloran  woods, 
where  white  forms  are  not  uncommon. — Per.,  May.  This 
plant  was  not  liked  by  the  ancients  because  they  believed 
it  grew  from  the  blood  of  Hyakinthos,  a  youth  killed  by 
Apollo  with  a  quoit  when  in  one  of  his  mad  fits ;  hence  the 
name.  "W. 

Narthecium,  Huds. 

N.  ossifragum,  Huds. — Bog  Asphodel.  (Bliochan.) 
Badly-drained,  marshy  situations. — Per.,  July.  Luibh 
Chalum  Chille,  by  which  it  is  known  by  some  persons  locally, 
is  more  correctly  applied  to  Hypericum  pulchrum  (Slender 
St  John's  Wort). 

JUNCACE.E  (the  Rush  family) 

Plants  with  stiff,  grass-like  leaves  and  inconspicuous  dry 
flowers,  found  in  all  parts  of  the  world.  Some  species 
furnish  material  for  mats,  baskets,  etc.  They  constitute  a 
good  deal  of  the  rough  herbage  of  the  island.  All  of  the 
following  but  the  Toad  Rush  are  perennials. 

Juncus,  L. 

The  principal  genus  of  the  order,  usually  found  growing 
in  badly  drained  and  marshy  situations. 

J.  bufonius,  L. — Toad  Rush.  The  only  British  annual 
Rush  ;  common  in  muddy  places. — July. 

J.  squarrosus,  L. — Heath  Rush.  Tarruing-air-eigin ; 
Tarruing-gun-taing  ;  Bru-chorpan.  Common  on  moors  and 
hill  pastures ;  usually  found  growing  in  drier  situations  than 
most  Rushes. — June. 

/.  compressus,  Jacq. — Recorded  by  Mr  Grieve. 

J.  Gerardi,  Lois. — Abundant  at  Port  Mor,  Strand,  etc. — 
June. 

J.  e/usus,  L. — Soft  Rush.  Edge  of  marshy  ground  below 
Carnan  Eoin. 

J.      conglomerate,     L. — Common      Rush.         Luachair. 

12 


178  COLONSAY 

Abundant  in  wet  situations  on  the  low  ground.  The 
characters  that  are  used  for  distinguishing  between  this  and 
the  preceding  species  are  not  constant,  and  the  two  are 
often  found  to  merge  into  one  another.  The  pith  was 
used  for  the  old-fashioned  rush-lights,  the  oil  being  obtained 
from  the  liver  of  saiths  (coal-fish).  The  pith  was  collected 
beforehand,  and  hung  up  in  the  houses  to  dry. — July. 

J.  bulbosus,  L. — Along  the  shallow  margins  of  Loch  Fada 
and  in  other  wet  situations,  often  exhibiting  considerable 
diversity  in  form  and  in  shade  of  colour,  from  light  green  to 
dark  brown. — July. 

J.  bulbosus,  var.  fluitans. — Loch  Fada,  in  deeper  water 
than  the  preceding. 

J,  subnodulosus,  Schrank. — Abundant  at  Aird,  Machrins. 
This  kind  was  locally  regarded  as  being  superior  to  the 
commoner  kind  (J.  sylvaticus)  for  thatching,  as  it  is  harder 
and  lasts  better. — August. 

J.  articulatus,  L. — Jointed  Rush.     Kiloran  Bay  sands. 

/.  sylvaticus,  Reich. — Sharp-flowered  Jointed  Rush. 
Frafann.  The  common  species,  abundant  in  meadows  and 
wet  situations.  It  is  largely  used  for  thatching,  as  it  lasts 
longer  than  the  Common  Rush. — July. 

Luzula,  DC. 

Perennial  herbs  with  flat,  grass-like  leaves  growing  in  drier 
situations  than  the  Rushes. 

L.  pilosa,  Willd. — Hairy  Woodrush.  Kiloran  woods. — 
May. 

L.  sylvatica,  Gaud. — Great  Woodrush.  Seileastair-nan- 
Gobhar;  Aineach.  Abundant  on  rocky  ledges  and  slopes 
with  a  northern  exposure.  It  is  sometimes  eaten  by  rabbits 
in  winter. — May. 

L.  compestris,  DC. — Field  Rush.     Common  in  dry  pastures. 


THE  FLORA  179 

L.  multiflora,T>G. — Leana  Ghlas ;  not  uncommon. — May. 
L.  multiflora,  b  congesta  (Lej.). — Goirtean  Artair,  Leana 
Ghlas. — June. 

TTPHACE/E  (the  Reedmace  family) 

The  local  representatives  of  the  order  are  aquatic 
perennials  with  long,  linear  leaves.  The  leaves  of  the  Bull- 
rush  (Bog-Sheimhin,  I.)  are  used  for  making  chair- bottoms, 
mats,  etc. 

Sparganium,  L. 

S.  erectum,  L. — Branched  Bur-reed.  Seasg  Righ,  C.  Ditch, 
roadside  between  Post  Office  and  Hotel.  Common. — July. 

S.  minimum,  Fr. — Small  Bur-reed.  Kiloran  burn; 
frequent  in  pools. — July. 

LEMNACEJS  (the  Duckweed  family) 

Floating  herbs,  consisting  of  small  leaf-like  fronds  which 
send  out  delicate  root-like  fibres  into  the  water  beneath. 

Lemna,  L. 

L.  minor,  L. — Lesser  Duckweed.  (Lus-gun-Mhathair-gun- 
Athair.)  On  still  pools  south  of  Port  Mor. — Per.,  June.  The 
Lemnae  generally  are  considered  to  possess  the  property  of 
purifying  the  unwholesome  air  in  marshy  places.  Ducks 
and  geese  are  fond  of  all  the  species.  W. 

ALISMACE.E  (the  Alisma  family) 

A  small  group  of  marsh  or  aquatic  species.  The  Flowering 
Rush,  Arrowhead,  and  Water  Plantain,  British  species,  are 
suitable  for  planting  at  the  margins  of  ornamental  waters. 

Alisma,  L. 

A.  ranunculoides,  L. — The  Lesser  Water  Plantain.  (Corr- 
Chopag.)  Frequent  in  marshy  situations. — Per.,  June. 


180  COLONSAY 


(the  Naiad  family) 

An  order  of  marsh  or  aquatic  plants,  some  with  floating 
leaves,  others  entirely  submerged  in  deep  water,  occurring  in 
the  sea  as  well  as  in  fresh  waters.  All  the  following  are 
perennials. 

Triglochin,  L. 

T.  palustre,  L.  —  Arrow-grass.  Barr-a-Mhilltich,  C. 
Boggy  and  marshy  places.  —  June.  Cows  are  extremely  fond 
of  it.  W. 

T.  maritimum,  L.  —  Sea  Arrow-grass.  Not  uncommon  in 
the  salt-marshes.  —  May. 

Potamogeton,  L. 

A  considerable  genus,  difficult  to  determine,  and  abundantly 
represented  throughout  the  island.  The  plants  in  the 
following  list  were  identified  by  Mr  Arthur  Bennett,  F.L.S. 

P.  natans,  L.  —  Broad  Pondweed.  Kiloran  burn.  Common. 
—July. 

P.  polygonifolius,  Pourr.  —  Oblong  Pondweed.  Duilleaga- 
baite.  The  common  kind  abundant  in  running  and  in 
stagnant  waters,  deep  and  shallow.  The  leaves  were  applied 
to  scalding  burns  for  cooling.  Also  used  as  an  ingredient 
in  certain  plasters.  Duilleaga-baite-firionn  were  credited 
with  greater  healing  properties  than  other  kinds,  but  the 
species  to  which  the  name  applied  was  not  discovered.  —  July. 

P.  polygonifolius,  var.  pseudo-fluitans.  —  Marsh  ;  head  of 
the  Glen. 

P.  Gessnaceasis,  Fischer.  —  Pool  of  brackish  water,  Rudha 
Gheadha.  This  is  a  hybrid  between  P.  natans,  L.,  and 
P.  polygonifoUus,  Pourr.,  and  occurs  in  Ireland  (A.  B.). 

P.  alpinus,  Balb.  —  Burn,  Geadhail-na-Crithe.  —  June. 

P.  heterophyllus,  Schreb.  —  Various-leaved  Pondweed. 
West  Loch  Fada  and  Loch  Colla.  —  July. 


THE  FLORA  181 

P.  heterophyllus,  c  graminifolius  (Fr.). — Loch  Sgoltaire. — 
August. 

P.  nitens,  Weber. — West  Loch  Fada.— July. 

P.  perfoliatus,  L. — West  Loch  Fada. — July. 

P.  pusillus,  L. — Slender  Pondweed.  West  Loch  Fada; 
common. — July. 

P.  pusillus,  b  tenuissimus,  Koch. — Middle  Loch  Fada.  (A 
later  examination  of  specimens  leads  Mr  Bennett  to  hope 
that  this  may  turn  out  to  be  P.  trichoides,  Cham.) 

P.  Sturrockii,  Ar.  Benn. — Loch  Sgoltaire  and  Loch  Fada. 

P.  pedinatus,  L. — Fennel  Pondweed.  Pools,  western 
shores. — August. 

P.  jUiformis,  Xolte. — Pools,  western  shores. 

Ruppia,  L. 

R.  maritima,  L. — Shore  pool,  Poll  Gorm. — July. 
R.    rostellata,    Koch.  —  Tassel   Pondweed.     Shore   pools, 
south  of  Port  Mor. — June. 

Zannichellia,  L. 

Z.  palustris,  L.  —  Horned  Pondweed.  Shore  pools, 
Machrins. — August. 

Zostera,  L. 

Z.  marina,  L.  —  Grasswrack.  Bilearach.  Abundant, 
growing  where  sediment  has  been  deposited  in  the  sea, 
and  frequently  washed  ashore. — July.  The  long,  grass-like 
leaves,  when  dried,  are  used  for  packing,  and  for  stuffing 
mattresses.  W. 

Naias,  L. 

N.flexilis,  Rostk.  and  Schmidt. — Slender  Naiad.  Found 
in  the  three  divisions  of  Loch  Fada. — August.  "A  very  in- 
teresting find.  For  many  years  it  was  only  on  record  from 
Ireland ;  then  my  late  friend  Abram  Sturrock  found  it  in 
East  Perth,  and  Dr  White  in  Mid  Perth.  It  is  rare  in 


182  COLONSAY 

Europe,  occurring  only  in  Pomerania,  Finland,  and  Upland, 
and  Scania  in  Sweden"  (A.  B.). 

CYPERACE^:  (the  Sedge  family) 

Grass-like  herbs,  usually  found  in  moist  situations  and  at 
the  edges  of  waters.  The  leaves  are  usually  stiffer  than 
those  of  grasses ;  the  stems  are  solid,  and  the  sheaths  of  the 
leaves  closed  all  round.  All  the  species  of  the  order  in- 
cluded here  are  perennials. 

Eleocharis,  Br. 

E.  palustris,  Koem.  and  Schult.  —  Creeping  Club-rush. 
Ditch,  Garvard;  common. — July. 

E.  uniglumus,  Schultes.  —  One-glumed  Spike-rush. 
Marshy  ground  above  Loch  Sgoltaire. — August. 

E.  multicaulis,  Sm. — Many-stalked  Club-rush.  In  tufts 
on  stony  shore,  Loch  Fada  side. — July. 

Scirpus,  L. 

S.  pauciflorus,  Lightf .  —  Few-flowered  Club-rush.  Ele- 
vated moorland  between  Kilchattan  and  Machrins. — August. 

S.  azspitosus,  L. — Tufted  Club-rush ;  Deer's  Hair.  Ciob. 
Abundant  on  the  moors,  often  mixed  with  the  heather.  It 
is  particularly  common  in  places  on  the  grits. — June.  This 
is  the  principal  food  of  cattle  and  sheep  in  the  Highlands 
in  March  and  till  the  end  of  May.  W.  Locally  it  is  not 
often  eaten  by  sheep. 

S.  fluitans,  L. — Floating  Club-rush.  Common  in  streams 
and  in  marshy  pools  of  still  water. — August. 

S.  filiformis,  Savi. — A  slender  and  elegant  species,  seen 
only  at  a  muddy  corner  of  Leana-mhor,  Garvard. — August. 

S.  setaceus,  L. — Bristle  Club-rush.  Common  in  moist 
places  in  the  hill  pastures. — July. 

S.   lacustris,    L.  —  Lake   Club-rush.     Luachair   Bhogain. 


THE  FLORA  183 

Margins  of  Loch  Fada. — July.  It  was  formerly  used  in 
making  horse-collars,  baskets,  etc.,  in  various  parts  of  the 
country. 

S.  maritimus,  L. — Sea  Club-rush.  Seasg-na-Mara.  Com- 
mon in  salt-marshes. — August.  Cows  eat  it ;  the  roots,  dried 
and  ground  to  powder,  have  been  used  instead  of  flour  in 
times  of  scarcity.  W. 

S.  rufuSy  Schrad. — Plentiful  in  the  salt-marshes  at  Port 
Mor  and  the  Strand. — May  and  June. 

Eriophorum,  L. 

E.  vaginatum,  L. — Hare's-tail  Cotton-grass.  Canach-an- 
t-Sleibh.  Usually  growing  more  in  tufts  and  flowering 
rather  earlier  than  the  following  species,  often  at  higher 
elevations. — May. 

E.  angustifolium,  Roth. — Common  Cotton  -  grass.  An 
Canach.  Abundant  in  boggy  places.  The  cottony  tufts  were 
gathered  and  used  for  stuffing  pillows  and  cushions. — June. 

"  S'e  bu  leaba  dhuinn  an  Luachair 
S'e  bu  chluasag  dhuinn  an  Canach." 

This  plant  is  useful  in  the  island  of  Skye  to  support  cattle 
in  the  earlier  part  of  spring,  before  other  grasses  are  suffi- 
ciently groAvn.  Pennant's  Tour,  1774. 

E.  angustifolium,  b.  minus,  Koch. — Marshy  ground,  Carnan 
Eoin,  at  an  elevation  of  400  feet. 

E.  angustifoTium,  d.  elatius,  Koch. — Boggy  ground,  burn- 
side,  Leana  Ghlas. — July. 

Schoenus,  L. 

S.  nigricans,  L. — Bog-rush.  Seimhean  C.  Frequent  in 
wet  hollows  through  which  the  surrounding  water  drains. — 
June. 

S.  nigricans,/ nanus. — Northern  slopes  of  Beinn-a-Sgoltaire. 
—  June. 


184  COLONSAY 

Cladium,  P.  Br. 

C.  Mariscus,  Br. — Great  Twig-rush.  Colgroc,  I.  Grow- 
ing at  the  edges  of  the  lochs. — August. 

Carex,  L. 

A  large  genus  constituting  an  important  part  of  the 
herbage  of  the  meadows  and  hilly  pastures  of  the  island. 
With  careful  drainage  they  are  displaced  by  the  more 
nutritious  grasses. 

C.  dioica,  L. — Ill-drained,  spongy  ground. — May. 

C.  pulicaris,  L.  —  Flea  Sedge.  Wet  situation,  Baile 
Mhaide;  not  uncommon. — June. 

G.  arenaria,  L. — Sea  Sedge ;  Sea  Matgrass.  Taithean.  A 
common  plant  of  the  blown  sands,  and  one  that  greatly 
assists  in  binding  them.  The  long,  creeping  roots  were  made 
into  cattle-ties.  In  former  times,  when  cattle  were  ferried 
across  to  the  mainland  on  their  way  to  the  markets  of  the 
south,  it  was  part  of  every  cattleman's  duty  to  have  a  certain 
number  of  these  ties  prepared  beforehand. — June. 

C.  vulpina,  L. — Fox  Sedge.  At  the  seaside,  Port  Mor 
and  other  places. — June. 

C,  echinata,  Murr. — Little  Prickly  Sedge.  Interstices  in 
rocks,  Port  Olmsa,  and  shore  turf,  Port-an-Obain,  Balana- 
hard,  etc. — June. 

C.  remota,  L. — Damp  gully  near  shore,  south  of  Kudha 
•Gheadha;  rare. — June. 

C.  leporina,  L. — Oval-spiked  Sedge.  Rather  common  in 
moist  situations  in  pastures. — June.  (C.  ovalis,  Good. — 
A.  B.) 

C.  Goodenowii,  Gay. — In  one  or  other  of  its  forms  the 
commonest  sedge  in  the  island.  Frequently  found  growing 
in  comparatively  dry  situations  on  the  hill-sides  as  well  as  in 
thoroughly  marshy  low-lying  situations.  The  most  variable 
of  local  species,  it  is  also  one  of  the  earliest  to  start  into 


THE   FLORA  185 

growth,  often  enticing  cattle  when  other  food  is  scarce  into 
dangerously  boggy  places  where  they  are  sometimes  lost. — 
June. 

C.  Goodenowii,  Gay,  b  juncella  (Fr.). — Wet  ground,  sea- 
side, Port-an-Tigh-Mhoir. — June. 

C.  Goodenoicii,  Gay,  tornata,  Fr. — Peat-bogs,  Biskbuie. — 
June. 

C.  flacca,  Schreb. — Growing  in  large  patches,  meadows, 
Kiskbuie.  One  of  the  commonest  Sedges.  Patches  of  badly 
drained  land  are  often  plainly  indicated  by  the  presence  in 
quantity  of  this  glaucous  green -foliaged  plant.  A  very  vari- 
able species.  (C.  glauca. — A.  B.). — June. 

G.  limosa,  L — Mud  Sedge.  Alluvium  flats  near  Loch 
Colla,  and  at  Lochan-a-Bhraghad. — June  and  July. 

G.  pilulifera,  L. — Pill-headed  Sedge.  Crevices  in  rocks 
above  Teampull-a-Ghlinne. — May. 

C.  caryophyllea,  Latourr. — Vernal  Sedge.  Kiloran  Bay, 
and  turf,  Port-an-Obain,  Scalasaig. — May  and  June. 

C.  pallescens,  L. — Pale  Sedge.  Damp  hollow,  Coille-mhor 
natural  wood. — June. 

C.  panicea,  L. — Pink-leaved  Sedge.  Not  uncommon  in 
moist  meadows. — June. 

C.  panicea,  b.  tumidula,  Laestad. — Damp  pasture,  seaside, 
north  of  Port  Mor.— June.  "A  very  interesting  form  found 
also  in  Boss"  (A.  B.). 

G.  syloatica,  Huds.  —  Wood  Sedge.  Coille-mhor  and 
Kiloran  woods. — June.  The  Laplanders  prepare  a  coarse 
clothing  from  this  plant.  Linn. 

C.  helodes,  Link. — Smooth-stalked  Beaked  Sedge.  Grow- 
ing from  interstices  in  rocks  above  Lochan-a-Eaonabuilg 
(C.  Icevigata,  Sm. — A.  B.). 

C.  binervis,  Sm. — One  of  the  commonest  Sedges,  and  found 
growing  in  a  variety  of  situations,  often  in  tuft-like  masses. 
It  is  found  both  at  high-water  mark  and  growing  on  the 
summits  of  the  hills,  and  is  one  of  the  first  plants  to  start 


186  COLONSAY 

into  growth  where  the  heather  has  been  burned.  It  is  also 
one  of  the  first  to  become  established  where  the  heath-covered 
turf  has  been  removed. — June. 

G.  distans,  L. — Distant  Sedge.  Shore  rocks  above  Port 
Mor  and  Traigh-nam-Barc  Bay. — June  and  July. 

C.fulva,  Host. — Uncultivated  hillocks,  Garadh  Gainmhich, 
in  moist  situations ;  not  uncommon. — June. 

C.  extensa,  Good. — Shore  rocks,  Balaromin-mor. — July. 

C.  extensa,  b  pumila,  And. — Shore  rocks  at  high-water 
mark,  Rudha  Gheadha. — June. 

G.  flava,  L. — Yellow  Sedge.  Damp  pasture,  Kiloran. — 
June. 

C.  (Ederi,  Retz. — Wet  ground  near  Loch  Colla,  and  moist 
hollow,  east  coast. — June. 

G.  CEderi,  c.  cyperoides,  Marss. — Recorded  by  Mr  Somer- 
ville. 

C.  lasiocarpa,  Ehrh. — Slender  Sedge.  Edge  of  Loch-na- 
Sguid,  and  marshy  ground,  Loch  Colla. — May. 

C.  hirta,  L. — Hairy  Sedge.  Moist  meadow  below  Bala- 
romin-mor farm-house. — July. 

G.  inflata,  Huds. — Bottle  Sedge.  Seasg-uisge.  Abundant 
in  the  shallow  water  at  the  edge  of  Loch  Fada.  Used  for 
thatching,  and  lasting  well. — June.  (G.  ampullacea,  Good. 
-A.  B.). 

GRAMINEAE  (the  Grass  family) 

One  of  the  largest  and  most  important  of  the  natural 
orders  of  plants.  In  Britain  all  the  species  are  herbs,  but 
in  the  tropics  some  kinds  (Bamboos  =  Guile  Fhrangach)  grow 
to  the  height  of  tall  trees.  As  forming  the  chief  supply  of 
food  for  man  and  forage  for  animals,  Rice  (Ris),  Indian 
Corn  (Coirce-mor),  Millets  (Muileud,  L),  Wheat  (Cruith- 
neachd),  Oats  (Coirce),  Barley  (Eorna),  Rye  (Seagal),  are 
cultivated  in  all  parts  of  the  world.  Rye  Grasses  and 
other  kinds  are  extensively  grown  as  forage  plants  (fodar), 


THE  FLORA  187 

Sugar  (Siucar)  is  obtained  from  the  sweet  sap  of  various 
species.  The  Sugar  Cane — for  its  sugar,  rum,  molasses — is 
an  important  crop  of  hot  climates.  Other  products  of  the 
order  are  aromatic  oils,  ornamental  seeds  (Job's  Tears),  straw 
for  plaiting  and  thatching.  Macaroni  and  vermicelli  are  pre- 
pared in  Italy  and  Sicily  from  fine  wheat-flour ;  "  corn-flour  " 
is  obtained  from  Indian  Corn.  Bamboos  are  put  to  an 
endless  variety  of  uses ;  a  hardy  kind  (Metake)  thrives, 
locally.  The  Pampas  Grass  and  Provence  Reed  make  hand- 
some specimens  for  lawns,  and  many  smaller  kinds — Feather 
Grass,  Quaking  Grass,  Agrostis — are  used  for  decorative 
purposes. 

Phalaris,  L. 

A  small  genus,  including  the  Canary  Grass,  from  which  the 
canary  seed  is  obtained,  now  appearing  in  the  country  as  a 
Aveed  of  cultivation. 

P.  arundinacea,  L. — Reed  Canary  Grass.  Not  uncommon 
at  sides  of  ditches. — Per.,  July.  The  Gardeners'  Garters  or 
Ribbon  Grass  often  seen  in  gardens  is  a  variegated  form. 

Anthoxanthum,  L. 

A.  odoratum,  L. — Sweet  Vernal  Grass.  (Mislean.)  Abund- 
ant in  well-drained  situations. — Per.,  May.  It  imparts  the 
characteristic  sweet  scent  to  new-mown  hay,  and  is  a  valuable 
ingredient  in  pastures  on  account  of  its  early  growth  and 
for  continuing  to  send  up  leaves  until  late  in  the  autumn. 
With  the  exception,  perhaps,  of  sheep,  domestic  animals 
show  no  great  partiality  for  it,  but  where  it  is  abundant  it  is 
said  to  improve  the  quality  of  mutton. 

Alopecurus,  L. 

A.  geniculatus,  L.  —  Marsh  Foxtail.  Fldeag  Cham,  C. 
Not  uncommon  in  marshy  meadows. — Per.,  July. 

A.  pratensis,  L. — Meadow   Foxtail.     (Fideag.)      Kiloran 


188  COLONSAY 

meadows. — Per.,  June.  One  of  the  best  of  forage  grasses, 
and  well  adapted  for  moist  land.  It  constitutes  the  greater 
portion  of  many  of  the  richer  natural  pastures  of  Britain. 

Phleum,  L. 

P.  pratense,  L. — Timothy ;  Cat's-tail.  (Bodan.)  Kiloran 
meadows. — Per.,  July.  An  excellent  forage  plant  of  which 
all  animals  are  fond,  and  a  valuable  ingredient  of  pastures. 
It  was  introduced  from  America  as  a  forage  crop  about  1761, 
and  it  was  first  known  as  Timothy  in  South  Carolina,  having 
been  taken  to  that  State  by  a  Mr  Timothy  Hansom.  It 
thrives  on  heavy  soils  and  those  of  a  peaty  nature. 

Agrostis,  L. 
« 

.  A.  canina,  L. — Brown  Bent-grass.  Commons  and  moors. — 
Per.,  July. 

A.  alba,  L. — Marsh  Bent-grass.  Feorine,  C.  Abundant 
in  marshy  situations.  One  of  the  commonest  grasses. — Per., 
August. 

A.  alba,  b.  stolonifera  (L.). — Fiorin-grass.  Bushy  ground, 
Kiloran. — Per.,  July  and  August.  Recommended  for  moist 
soils  and  irrigated  meadows.  It  affords  herbage  early  in 
spring  and  late  in  autumn. 

A.  alba,  c.  maritima,  Meyer. — Edge  of  shore  pools,  Port 
Mor ;  not  uncommon  in  such  situations. — July. 

A.  tennis,  Sibth. — Fine  Bent-grass.  Well-drained  pasture, 
Screadan. — Per.,  July.  A  suitable  species  for  dry  soils; 
and  although  cattle  are  not  fond  it,  sheep  are  said  to  relish 
it,  particularly  in  winter.  It  will  grow  on  bare,  exposed 
places  where  more  valuable  kinds  fail. 

A.  tennis,  var.  pumila. — Growing  in  very  dwarf  tufts  on 
bare,  rocky  sands,  Cul-Salach. — July. 

A.  nigra,  With. — Garvard. — August. 


THE  FLORA  189 

Ammophila,  Host. 

A.  arenaria,  Link.  —  Sea  Maram ;  Matweed.  Muran. 
Planted  locally  on  the  blown  sands  to  prevent  them  shifting. 
One  of  the  best  and  most  lasting  materials  used  locally  for 
thatching  houses. — Per.,  August.  It  is  recorded  that  mat 
and  rope  making  from  this  species  was  the  only  handicraft 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  village  of  Newborough  in  Wales 
about  the  beginning  of  the  seventeenth  century. 

Aira,  L. 

A.  caryophyllea,  L. — Silvery  Hair-grass.  Sandy  pasture, 
upper  part  of  Garadh  Gainmhich. — Ann.,  June. 

A.  prcecox,  L.  —  Early  Hair-grass.  Common  in  rather 
bare  rocky  places  on  the  hills. — Ann.,  May.  This  and  the 
preceding  species  are  soon  dried  up,  and  can  yield  nothing 
but  a  little  early  food  for  sheep.  W. 

Deschampsia,  Beauv. 

D.  ccespitosa,  Beauv. — Tufted  Hair-grass.  Cuiseag  Airgid(?). 
Growing  in  large  tufts  or  tussocks  in  wet  situations,  enabling 
the  collector  to  pass  dry-shod  over  wet  and  boggy  places. 
The  highly  ornamental  flowering  panicles  are  used  for  winter 
decoration.  Its  very  coarse  herbage  is  seldom  eaten  by 
animals. — Per.,  July. 

D.  flexuosa,  Trin. — Waved  Hair-grass.  Moin-fheur,  C. 
Frequent  in  rough  pastures  and  meadows,  often  on  peaty 
soils. — Per.,  July.  The  seed  of  this  species  is  often  sub- 
stituted for  the  more  valuable  Yellow  Oat-grass. 

D,  flexuosa,  b.  montana,  Hook.  fil.  —  A  pretty,  purplish- 
coloured  form  not  uncommon  on  the  hills. — July. 

Holcus,  L. 

H.  mollis,  L.  —  Soft  Meadow-grass.  Woods,  Kiloran ; 
local. — Per.,  July.  Not  unsuitable  for  sowing  in  wooded  or 


190  COLONSAY 

barren  places;   and  its  creeping  roots  render  it  useful  for 
binding  dry,  sandy  slopes. 

H.  lanatus,  L.— Yorkshire  Fog;  Woolly  Soft  Grass. 
Common  on  impoverished  soils. — Per.,  July.  It  should  be 
regarded  as  a  weed  rather  than  a  proper  ingredient  of 
pastures,  and  every  means  used  for  its  extirpation.  Stock 
are  not  fond  of  it  either  in  the  green  state  or  dried  as  hay ; 
the  latter  being  spongy  and  unfit  for  horses. 

A  vena,  L. 

Cultivated  varieties  of  Oat  have  sprung  from  A.  sativa 
(the  Common  Oat).  The  Yellow  Oat  (A.  flavescens,  L.)  is 
a  desirable  constituent  in  pastures  and  meadows,  being 
valuable  both  for  grazing  and  hay. 

A.  pubescens,  Huds. — Downy  Oat-grass.  In  the  vicinity 
of  the  limestone  rock,  Uragaig.  A  lime-loving  plant,  pro- 
ducing but  scanty  herbage. — Per.,  June. 

A.  pratensis,  L. — Perennial  Oat.  Coirce  Fiadhain,  C. 
Recorded  by  Mr  Grieve. 

Arrhenatherum,  Beauv. 

A.  elatius,  Mert.  and  Koch. — False  Oat-grass.  Kiloran 
meadows. — Per.,  July.  The  herbage  is  said  to  be  bitter 
and  not  much  relished  by  cattle.  It  will  grow  in  shaded 
woods  and  plantations. 

A.  elatius,  b  bulbosum,  Presl. — Goin-Fheur.  A  weed  of 
sandy  fields,  with  knotted  roots  which,  in  winter  time,  are 
burrowed  for  and  eaten  by  rabbits. 

Sieglingia,  Bernh. 

S.  decumbens,  Bernh. — Decumbent  Heath-grass.  Hilly 
pastures,  Dun  Ghaillionn. — Per.,  July. 


THE  FLORA  191 

Phragmites,  Adans. 

P.  communis,  Trin. — Common  Eeed.  Cuilc.  Abundant 
at  the  edges  of  the  lochs  and  sometimes  used  for  thatching. 
Per.,  August.  The  plumes  are  useful  for  winter  decoration, 
and  in  France  and  Italy  they  are  made  into  dusting-brushes. 

Cynosurus,  L. 

C.  cristatus,  L.  —  Crested  Dog's-tail.  Coin-Fheur,  I. 
Dry  pastures. — Per.,  June.  As  it  sends  up  many  leaves 
from  the  base,  it  is  recommended  for  lawns  which  are 
frequently  cut.  It  forms  a  close  turf,  and  sheep  are  said 
to  be  less  subject  to  foot-rot  in. pastures  where  it  grows, 

Koeleria,  Pers. 

K.  gracilis,  Pers. — Shore  rocks,  Port  Mor ;  not  uncommon 
on  dry  banks. — Per.,  June.  Produces  but  little  foliage, 
which  is  covered  with  short,  downy  hairs. 

Molinia,  Schrank. 

M.  coerulea,  Moench.  —  Purple  Melic-grass.  Braban,  I. 
Although  very  abundant  in  wet  meadows  and  badly  drained 
hill  pastures,  all  kinds  of  stock  reject  it  if  they  can  get 
other  food.  When  compelled  to  take  too  much  of  it  in  hay, 
they  are  liable  to  get  into  a  bad  condition. — Per.,  August. 

Catabrosa,  Beauv. 

C.  aquatica,  Beauv.  —  Water  Whorl  -  grass.  At  the 
mouths  of  freshwater  streams  on  the  seashore. — July. 

C.  aquatica,  b.  littoralis,  Parn. — Mouth  of  small  stream, 
Kiloran  Bay  sands. — August. 

Dactylis,  L. 

A  genus  of  a  single  species.  An  elegant  variegated  form 
is  used  for  edgings  in  gardens. 


192  COLONSAY 

D.  glomerata,  L. — Bough  Cock's-foot  Grass.  Common. — 
Per.,  July.  Remarkable  for  the  rapidity  of  its  growth,  it 
yields  an  enormous  crop  of  nutritious  herbage,  growing  well 
in  shady,  well-drained  situations. 

Briza,  L. 

B.  media,  L.  —  Quaking-grass.  Crith  Fheur.  Kiloran 
meadows.  —  Per.,  June.  Prized  as  a  decorative  grass. 
Generally  found  on  impoverished  soils,  and  dying  out  under 
good  cultivation. 

Poa,  L. 

A  large  genus,  including  valuable  fodder  plants.  The 
Alpine  Meadow  -  grass  (P.  alpina)  thrives  at  elevations 
where  scarcely  any  other  pasture  plant  will  grow. 

P.  annua,  L. — Annual  Poa.  The  commonest  British 
plant,  forming  the  chief  ingredient  of  the  grass  in  the 
London  parks.  Flowers  all  the  year  round. — Ann. 

P.  nemoralis,  L. — Wood  Meadow-grass.  Local. — Per., 
July.  Of  very  early  growth  and  suitable  for  lawns  and 
ornamental  grounds  in  places  shaded  with  trees. 

P.  pratensis,  L.  —  Smooth- stalked  Meadow-grass.  In 
rather  dry,  rocky  situations,  producing  an  early  herbage. 
— Per.,  June. 

P.  trivialis,  L. — Rough-stalked  Meadow-grass. — Common 
Per.,  July.  In  wet,  dry,  or  shaded  situations.  A  valuable 
and  highly  nutritious  grass  for  low-lying  pastures. 

Glycerin,  Br. 

G.fluitans,  Br. — Manna  Grass;  Floating  Sweet  Grass. 
Cuiseag  Mhilis.  Milsean  Uisge,  C.  Sluggish  streams  and 
stagnant  waters.  The  plant  was  formerly  well  known  to 
children  for  the  honey  contained  in  the  flowers. — Per.,  July. 
All  grazing  animals  are  fond  of  it,  and  the  seeds  are  greedily 
eaten  by  marsh  -  fowl  and  freshwater  fish  —  trout,  etc. 


THE  FLORA  193 

Semolina  was  formerly  prepared  from  them.  The  seeds  are 
small,  but  very  sweet  and  nourishing.  They  are  collected  in 
several  parts  of  Germany  and  Poland,  and  are  esteemed  as  a 
delicacy  in  soups  and  gruels.  When  ground  to  meal  they 
make  bread  very  little  inferior  to  that  made  from  wheat.  W. 

G.  fluitans,  b.  triticea,  Fr. — Damp  hollow,  Fang. — July. 

G.  plicata,  Fr. — Shallow,  stagnant  pool  in  meadow,  Bala- 
romin-mor.  — July. 

G.  maritima,  Mert.  and  Koch. — Creeping  Sea  Meadow- 
grass.  Shore  rocks  and  shore  turf,  Port  Mor. — June. 

Festuca,  L. 

A  widely  distributed  genus  of  temperate  climates,  including 
some  of  our  most  valuable  pasture  grasses.  F.  pratensis 
(Meadow  Fescue)  is  excellent  for  permanent  pasture.  It 
forms  a  considerable  portion  of  the  herbage  of  the  natural 
pastures  on  the  mainland. 

F.  rottboellioides,  Kunth. — Sea  Hard-grass.  Pier  wall  and 
dry  sandy  situations  along  the  southern  shore. — Ann.,  June. 

F.  bromoides,  L. — Sandy  ground,  upper  part  of  Druim- 
buidhe,  and  cultivated  fields,  Machrins. — Ann.,  June.  (F, 
scuiroides. — A.  B.). 

F.  ovina,  L.  —  Sheep's  Fescue.  Feur  Chaorach,  C, 
This  grass  constitutes  one  of  the  principal  ingredients  in 
the  herbage  of  the  dry  hill  pastures. — Per.,  June.  It  forms 
a  large  proportion  of  the  sheep  pastures  of  the  Highlands ; 
its  presence  indicating  dry  conditions,  and  the  consequent 
adaptability  of  such  situations  for  sheep. 

F.  rubra,  L. — Creeping  Fescue.  Top  of  rocks,  Port-an- 
Obain,  Balanahard.  Common  on  the  sea  rocks,  and  suitable 
for  sowing  on  dry,  sandy  soils. — Per.,  July. 

F.  rubra,  g.  arenaria,  Fr. — Recorded  by  Mr  Somerville. 

F.  elatior,  L. — Tall  Fescue.  Side  of  Port  Lobh  burn, 
Machrins,  and  gully  below  Uragaig. — Per.,  July.  Notwith- 

13 


194  COLONS  AY 

standing  its  coarseness,  cattle  are  fond  of  it,  and  it  is  recom- 
mended for  sowing  in  permanent  pastures.  It  grows  to  a 
height  of  3  to  4  feet. 

Bromus,  L. 

B.  ramosus,  Htids. — Smooth  Brome-grass.  Gully  below 
Tigh  Iain  Daraich. — Per.,  August. 

B.  commutatus,  Schrad. — One  plant,  roadside,  Kiloran. — 
Bi.,  June. 

B.  hordeaceus,  L. — Soft  Brome.  Frequently  met  with  in 
Kiloran.  Of  small  value  for  pastures. — July. 

Br  achy  podium,  Beauv. 

B.  sylvaticum,  Eoem.  and  Schult. — Slender  False  Brome. 
Shady  situation  on  large  boulders,  mouth  of  New  Cave. — 
Per.,  July.  "  It  is  not  liked  by  domesticated  animals,  but 
deer  and  rabbits  eat  it." 

Lolium,  L. 

L.  perenne,  L.  —  Perennial  Ryegrass.  Breoillean,  C. 
Common  at  the  edges  of  fields. — Per.,  June.  Extensively 
cultivated  as  a  forage  plant,  and  cultivated  in  England  for 
this  purpose  as  early  as  1677.  It  is  suitable  for  a  great 
variety  of  soils,  and  adapted  in  an  eminent  degree  for 
alternate  husbandry,  producing  a  large  bulk  of  highly 
nutritious  herbage. 

L.  perenne,  c  multiftorum  (Lam.).  —  Italian  Rye-grass. 
A  garden  weed,  Kiloran. — June.  It  was  introduced  as  a 
forage  grass  from  Hamburg  in  1831,  and  from  Italy  in  1833. 
As  it  is  biennial  in  its  nature,  this  species  is  more  suited  for 
alternate  husbandry  than  for  permanent  pastures.  It  grows 
quickly  and  luxuriantly,  and  cattle  are  very  fond  of  it.  The 
seed  that  is  imported  is  said  to  yield  an  earlier  and  a  heavier 
crop  than  what  is  ripened  in  this  country. 


THE  FLORA  195 

Agropyron,  J.  Gaertn. 

A.  caninum,  Beauv. — Bearded  Wheat-grass.  Growing  up 
through  hedge,  roadside,  Cnoc-an-Arbhair.  It  shoots  out  its 
bright  green  leaves  early  in  spring. — Per.,  July. 

A.  repens,  Beauv. — Quitch-grass;  'Couch-grass.  Feur-a- 
Phuint,  C.  Troublesome  weed. — Per.,  July. 

A.  junceum,  Beauv. — Shore-wheat.  Glas  Fheur,  C.  Edge 
of  sand-banks,  Kiloran  Bay,  and  sandy  bay,  Meall-a-Chuilbh. 
— Per.,  August. 

Lepiurus,  Br. 

L.  filiformis,  Trin. — Rather  a  rare  British  plant  of  mari- 
time sands,  recorded  by  Mr  Grieve. 

Nardus,  L. 

N.  stricta,  L. — Common  Nard;  Heath  Matgrass.  Beitean ; 
Borrach,  C.  One  of  the  commonest  moor  grasses.  It  is 
wiry,  and  animals  are  not  fond  of  it. — Per.,  June. 

Div.  II.  GYMNOSPERMS 

Gymnosperrns  do  not,  like  the  Angiosperms,  have  their 
ovules  enclosed  in  a  seed-vessel  (ovary),  but  develop  them 
directly  upon  the  axis,  as  in  the  Yew,  or  upon  capillary 
leaves,  as  in  the  cones  of  the  Pine,  Fir,  Larch,  etc.  They 
are  fertilised  by  the  pollen-grains  falling  directly  upon  them. 
Gymnosperrns  form  a  connecting  link  between  the  Angio- 
sperms and  the  higher  Cryptogams. 

CONIFERS  (the  Pine  family) 

An  extensive  order,  including  many  excellent  timber  trees 
which  also  yield  resins  (pitch,  turpentine,  tar)  and  aromatic 
oils  and  balsams  with  medicinal  properties.  Some — Yew 
(lubhar),  'Cypress  (Sipreis ;  Craobh  Bhroin)  —  possess 


196  COLONSAY 

poisonous  qualities.  Yast  forests  of  conifers  alone  are  to  Ibe 
met  with  in  the  Northern  Hemisphere.  The  Mammoth  Tree 
of  California  attains  a  height  of  upwards  of  400  feet ;  the 
Kedwood,  a  close  ally,  also  growing  to  a  great  size.  The 
Yellow  Pine  (Giubhas  Buidhe),  Pitch  Pine  (G.  Dearg),  White 
Pine  (G.  Geal),  etc.,  are  highly  valued  for  building  purposes. 
Large  plantations  of  Larch  (Learag),  Fir,  Spruce,  etc.,  have 
been  made  in  this  country.  Cedar  (Seudar),  Cypress,  Juniper, 
and  other  ornamental  species  are  commonly  planted  in  pleasure- 
grounds.  Conifers  generally  do  not  thrive  in  the  smoky  atmo- 
sphere of  towns,  nor,  unless  well  screened,  in  close  proximity 
to  the  sea. 

Juniperus,  L. 

A  numerous  genus  of  evergreen  shrubs  or  small  trees. 
The  aromatic  wood  of  the  American  Red  Cedar  is  used  in 
cabinet-making  and  for  lead-pencils. 

J.  communis,  L. — Common  Juniper.  lubhar  Beinne. 
Frequently  prostrate  and  spreading,  sometimes  to  the  length 
of  three  or  four  yards.  Dead  remains  of  sterns  much  larger 
than  those  now  growing  are  to  be  seen.  The  green  branches 
were  burned  for  fumigating  houses  after  infectious  diseases. 
The  berries,  which  take  two  years  to  come  to  maturity,  were 
used  for  flavouring  whisky,  as  they  still  are  in  other 
countries  for  flavouring  gin. — May.  They  are  diuretic,  and 
yield  an  oil  of  medicinal  value. 

J.  communis,  b.  intermedia,  Nyman. — Balanahard  hills. 

J.  sibirica,  Burgsdorf. — Rocky  hillocks,  Poll  Gorm  and 
southern  end  of  Ardskenish,  in  exposed  situations. — May. 

Pinus,  L. 

Though  constituting  the  bulk  of  the  Coniferse  in  the 
Northern  Hemisphere,  this  genus  is  unknown  in  the  southern 
half  of  the  globe.  Austrian,  Corsican,  Himalayan,  and  Stone 
Pines  are  among  those  that  are  commonly  planted.  The 


THE  FLORA  197 

Cluster  and  Sea  Pines  have  been  planted  with  success  on 
bare  sand-hills  of  maritime  districts  in  France. 

P.  sylvestris,  L.  —  Norway  or  Riga  Pine ;  Scots  Fir. 
Oiubhas.  Introduced;  one  seedling  was  found  growing  in 
Druim  Buiteachan  under  natural  conditions,  but  the  seedlings 
are  probably  eaten  as  they  grow  by  rabbits. — May.  This 
species  yields  Burgundy  pitch.  The  badge  of  the  Clan 
M'Gregor  (Clan  Alpin). 

P.  Pinaster,  Ait. — Cluster  Pine.     Introduced. 


CRYPTOGAMS   OR   FLOWBRLESS   PLANTS 

Although  the  members  of  this  group  have  sexual  organs 
they  do  not  bear  flowers  with  stamens  and  pistils.  Reproduc- 
tion is  brought  about  by  minute  cellular  bodies  called  spores. 
These  are  produced  in  abundance,  in  special  structures,  on 
the  underside  of  the  fronds  of  Ferns,  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves 
of  Selaginella,  etc.  Cryptogams  comprise  the  simplest  forms 
of  plant  life.  They  are  conveniently  divided  into  two  series 
— Vascular  and  Cellular.  In  the  former  (Ferns,  etc.)  there 
is  a  manifest  distinction,  as  in  flowering  plants,  between  stem 
and  leaf,  and  their  tissues  include  vascular  as  well  as  cellular 
elements;  in  the  latter  (Moulds,  Algae,  etc.),  no  such  distinc- 
tion between  stem  and  leaf  exists,  their  structure  being  simply 
cellular. 

FILICES  (the  Fern  family) 

This  is  by  far  the  most  important  group  of  the  Vascular 
Cryptogams,  found  in  abundance  in  all  moist  climates.  In 
warm  countries  some  species  (Tree-ferns)  are  arborescent  in 
character ;  others  are  climbers.  A  few  possess  active 
properties.  Adiantums  (Maiden-hair),  Pteris,  Asplenium, 
etc.,  are  largely  grown  in  hothouses  for  their  elegant  foliage. 
The  Parsley  and  Oak  (Sgeamh  Dharaich,  C.)  Ferns  occur  in 
the  Northern  Islands,  and  the  Adder's-tongue  (Lus-na- 


198  COLONSAY 

Nathrach,  C.)  in  the  Outer  Hebrides.     All  the  local  species 
have  a  perennial  root-stock. 

Hyme/iophyllum,  Sin. 

H.  tunbridgense,  Sm. — Filmy  Fern.  Kocky  mossy  banks 
with  a  northern  exposure;  natural  woods  and  plantations, 
Kiloran. 

H.  peltatwn,  Desv. — Recorded  by  Mr  Grieve. 

Pteris,  L. 

P.  aquilina,  L. — Brake  ;  Bracken.  ((F)raineach(mhor).) 
Abundant  in  woods  and  pastures  in  well-drained  situations. 
On  the  exposed  hill-tops  it  is  scarcely  a  foot  in  height,  but 
in  the  sheltered  gullies  on  the  East  Coast  it  grows  to  7  or  8 
feet.  It  is  spreading  rapidly  and  monopolising  a  good  deal 
of  the  best  of  the  ground.  It  is  cut  and  stacked  for  winter 
bedding  for  cattle.  Meal  is  prepared  from  the  thick  fleshy 
roots  (rhizomes)  in  Japan,  where  the  young  shoots  are  also 
said  to  be  eaten  like  asparagus.  In  Monmouthshire  the 
green  tops  were  burned  in  the  summer  time  and  the  ashes 
moulded  into  balls  for  washing,  before  washing  soda  came 
into  such  general  use. 

Blechnum,  L. 

B.  Spicant,  With.— Hard  Fern.  ((F)raineach  Chruaidh.) 
Abundant  in  hilly  pastures,  under  banks,  and  on  rocky  slopes 
facing  the  north. 

Aspleniwn,  L. 

A.  Adianlum-nigrum,  L.  —  Black  Spleenwort.  (An 
Raineach-uaine.)  Commonly  growing  out  of  crevices  and 
joints  in  rocks  in  shady  situations. 

A.  marinum,  L. — Sea  Spleenwort.  ((F)raineach-na-Mara.) 
Abundantly  growing  out  of  interstices  in  the  sea  locks  on 
the  East  Coast,  sometimes  down  to  high-water  mark. 

A.     Trichomanes,    L. — Maiden-hair     Spleenwort. — Dubh 


THE  FLORA  19$ 

Chasach;  Lus  na  Seilg,  C.  Boiled  in  milk  and  strained, 
it  was  considered  a  good  remedy  for  coughs  and  chest 
ailments.  The  species  is  now  much  more  plentiful  than  it 
was  when  regularly  collected  for  medicinal  purposes. 

A.  Ruta-muraria,  L.— Wall  Rue.  (Kue  Bhallaidh,  C.) 
Not  uncommon  on  old  walls. 

Athyrium,  Both. 

A.  Filix-fcemina,  Roth. — Lady  Fern.  Frith-Eaineach. 
Raineach  Mhuire,  C.  Abundant.  Frith-Raineach  is  often- 
indiscriminately  applied  locally  to  this  and  various  species  of 
Lastraeas. 

Phyllitis,  Hill. 

P.  Scolopendrium,  Newm. — Hart's-tongue  Fern.  Teang'- 
an-Fheidh.  Not  uncommon  in  the  rocky  gullies  of  the 
northern  shore  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Iviloran.  An  infusion 
of  the  leaves  was  used  as  a  remedy  for  coughs  and  colds. 

Gystopteris,  Bernh. 

C.  fragilis,  Bernh. — Brittle  Bladderfern.  Friodh 
Raineach,  C.  Recorded  from  the  neighbourhood  of  the  New 
Cave  by  Messrs  Grieve  and  Miller. 

Polystichum,  Roth. 

P.  aculeatum,  Roth.— Prickly  Shield  Fern.  Ibhig,  C. 
An  evergreen  fern  frequently  found  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
New  Cave. 

P.  aculeatum,  b  lobatum  (Presl.). — Rocky  slopes  facing 
the  north,  Driseig. — September. 

P.  angulare,  Presl. — Soft  Prickly  Shield  Fern.  A  few 
plants.  Confirmed  by  Mr  C.  Druery,  F.L.S.  Not  previously 
recorded  from  the  Western  Isles,  though  at  one  time  occur- 
ring in  Arran  and  adjacent  islets.  In  1899  plants  were  dis- 
covered by  the  late  Mr  Somerville  in  the  woods  at  Skipness 


200  COLONSAY 

in  the  Kintyre  peninsula.  The  species  is  not  known  to  have 
occurred  on  the  mainland  north  of  the  Forth  and  Clyde. 
South  of  that  line,  though  by  no  means  common,  it  has  been 
found  in  a  number  of  counties,  and  it  is  not  rare  in  either 
England  or  Ireland. 

Lastrcea,  Presl. 

L.  montana,  T.  Moore. — Mountain  Shield  Fern.  Crim- 
Raineach,  C.  Shady  gully,  Coille-mhor ;  not  uncommon. 

L.  Filix-mas,  Presl. — Male  Fern.  Marc-Eaineach,  C. 
Abundant  in  woods,  and  often  in  sunny  positions  along  the 
banks  of  streams.  In  sheltered  situations  it  remains  green 
through  the  winter.  "  Its  root-stock  is  used  in  medicine  as 
a  remedy  for  tape-worm." 

L.  spinulosa,  Presl.  —  Prickly-toothed  Buckler  Fern. 
Abundant  on  mossy  and  rocky  banks  facing  the  north. 

L.  aristata,  Rendle  and  Britten. — Broad  Buckler  Fern. 
Common  in  Kiloran  woods. 

L.  cemula,  Brackenridge. — Recorded  by  Mr  Grieve. 

Polypodium,  L. 

P.  vulgare,  L. — Common  Polypody.  (Ceis-Chrann.)  On 
old  walls  and  on  the  mossy  trunks  of  trees. 

Phegopteris,  Presl. 

P.  polypodioides,  Fe"e. — Beech  Fern.  Moist  slopes  facing 
the  north,  Druim  Buiteachan  and  other  places. 

Osmunda,  L. 

0.  regalis,  L. — Royal  Fern.  Righ  Raineach.  Banks  of 
ditches  near  Loch  Fada.  The  root-stock  was  cut  up  and 
steeped  in  water,  and  the  mucilaginous  matter  from  it  applied 
to  sprains. 

Botrychium,  Sw. 

B.  lunaria,  Sw. — Moonwort.  Luan-Lus,  C.  A  few  plants 
on  grassy  slopes,  Creagan. — June.  This  plant  was  held  in 


THE  FLORA  201 

superstitious   reverence   among   Celtic   and   other   nations ; 
horses  were  said  to  lose  their  shoes  where  it  grew.     C. 

EQUISETACE^E  (the  Horsetail  family) 

British  species  are  perennial  herbs  with  hollow-jointed 
stems,  marked  by  longitudinal  striae,  without  true  leaves. 

Equisetum,  L. 

E.  ar  cense,  L. — Corn  Horsetail,  Earball  Capuill,  I.  A 
common  weed  of  moist  fields. 

E.  sylvaticum,  L. — Branched  Wood  Horsetail.  Cuirridin 
Coille,  I.  Damp  hollow  below  Allt-ruadh  plantation. 

E.  palustre,  L. — Marsh  Horsetail.  Cuirristfn,  I.  Ditch, 
roadside,  Bealach  Gaoithe,  and  other  places. 

E.  limosum,  L. — Smooth  Naked  Horsetail.     Loch  side. 

E.  limosum,  b.  fluviatile  (L). — Ditch  below  Screadan. 

LYCOPODIACE.E  (the  Club-moss  family) 
Species  of  the  order  are  widely  distributed ;  but,  judging 
from  fossil  remains,  they  were  more  abundant  and  grew  to  a 
larger  size  in  the  earlier  geological  periods. 

Lycopodium,  L. 

L.  Selago,  L.— Fir  Club-moss.  Garbhag-an-t-Sle"ibh.  A 
few  plants  among  the  hills.  Perennial.  As  several  were 
found  uprooted,  it  is  possible  that  the  species  is  being 
exterminated  by  grazing  stock. 

SELAGINELLACE^;  (the  Selaginella  family) 
A  large  and  interesting  tropical  order,  confined  in  Britain 
to  a  few  species. 

Selaginella,  Spring. 

S.  selaginoides,  Gray. — Lesser  Alpine  Clubmoss.  Common 
in  moist  situations. — Per. 


202  COLONSAY 

CELLULAR   CRYPTOGAMS 

CHARACE<E  (the  Stonewort  order) 

Aquatic  perennials  with  long,  slender  branching  stems, 
often  encrusted  with  carbonate  of  lime  (hence  the  name) ; 
some  species,  when  handled,  emit  a  vile  smell.  Fish, 
especially  Carp,  are  said  to  thrive  best  in  waters  where  the 
different  species  of  Chara  abound. 

Chara,  L. 

C,  fragilis,  Desv. — Cloinih  uisge.  Common  in  the  lochs 
and  in  stagnant  peaty  water.  Said  to  have  the  same  effect 
on  insects  as  Keating's  powder  and  to  have  been  similarly 
used.  It  has  a  strong,  fetid  smell. 

C.  fragilis,  d.  barbata,  Gant. — Peat-bog  pools.  Garvard. 
—May. 

C.  aspera,  Willd. — Deep  water,  west  Loch  Fada. — July. 

C.  contaria,  Kuetz. — Kiloran  farm,  reservoir. 

(7.  vulgaris,  L. — Fetid  Water  Horsetail ;  Common  Stone- 
wort.  Machrins  shore  pools.  Confirmed  by  Rev.  G.  R. 
Bullock  Webster. 

Tolypella,  Leonh. 

T.  glomerata,  Leonh. — Shore  pools,  Machrins. — August. 
Confirmed  by  Rev.  G.  R.  Bullock  Webster. 

Nitella,  Agardh. 

N.  translucens,  Agardh. — Loch  Sgoltaire. — August. 
N.  opaca,  Agardh. — West  Loch  Fada. — July. 


APPENDIX 

THK  islands  of  the  Inner  Hebrides  are  believed  to  be 
isolated  fragments  of  what  was  once  a  great  expanse  of 
land,  proof  of  the  former  existence  of  which  is  found  in 
dizzy  sea-cliffs  a  thousand  feet  in  height,  as  in  the  west  of 
Skye,  and  formed  of  parallel  beds  which  wind  along  the 
coast  for  miles.  Of  the  enormous  waste  that  has  ensued, 
we  have  ample  evidence  in  the  numerous  glens  and  lochs 
which  have  been  excavated  out  of  the  basaltic  masses. 
The  Sound  of  Mull  is,  we  are  told,  the  work  of  erosion ; 
and  the  parallel  bars  of  rocks  to  be  viewed  on  either  side 
are  believed  to  have  been  at  one  time  prolonged  across  the 
channel. 

Of  the  extent  of  the  great  waste  that  has  taken  place, 
much  of  our  present  knowledge  has  been  gleaned  from  that 
peculiar  formation,  the  Sgiirr  of  Eigg.  It  is  volcanic  in 
origin,  and  composed  of  hard  glassy  pitchstone  resting  on  the 
basalt  plateau.  What  is  now  the  crest  of  a  ridge  1289  feet 
above  sea-level — one  of  the  most  striking  natural  objects  in 
the  Western  Isles,  towering  hundreds  of  feet  above  the 
highest  of  the  surrounding  hills — was,  at  the  time  of  its 
formation,  according  to  Sir  Archibald  Geikie,  the  bottom 
of  a  valley  through  which  flowed  a  river  of  sufficient  volume 
to  carry  boulders  of  Cambrian  sandstone  with  it  from  the 
distant  hills  of  Rum.  The  hard  pitchstone  forming  the 
Sgurr  originated  from  molten  lava  which  poured  forth  and 
203 


204  COLONSAY 

flowed  to  the  lowest  level,  where  it  gradually  cooled  and 
hardened.  It  blocked  and  filled  up  the  river  bed,  covering 
the  sandstone,  forests  of  pine,  and  other  debris  that  in 
later  ages  were  destined  to  shed  light  on  the  geological 
history  of  the  islands.  The  land  that  once  united  the 
basalt  plateaux  of  Eigg  to  the  Cambrian  sandstone 
mountains  of  Rum,  from  which  drained  a  large  volume  of 
water  such  as  must  have  flowed  along  the  old  river  course, 
has  disappeared,  and  Eigg  has  become  an  island.  The 
ascending  sides  of  the  valley  in  which  the  Sgurr  at  one  time 
reposed  have  been  worn  away,  and  are  now  reduced  to  slopes 
which  shelve  steeply  down  to  the  shores.  That  land,  we 
are  told,  was  one  of  rich  alkali -charged  soil ;  and  the  buried 
leaves  of  Canna  and  Mull  and  the  pines  of  Eigg  indicate  a 
period  of  warmer  climate  than  we  now  enjoy.1 

1  Sir  A.  Geikie's  beautiful  theory  of  the  Sgurr  of  Eigg,  given  above, 
has  recently  been  challenged  by  Mr  Harker.  It  seems  likely  now  that 
the  pitchstone  was  intruded  underground  and  never  reached  the  surface 
until  laid  bare  by  denudation.  It  may  be  noted  that  this  later 
interpretation  makes  a  greater  demand  upon  erosion  than  even  its 
predecessor. 


INDEX 


NATURAL  ORDERS  AND  GENERA  OF  FLOWERING 
PLANTS,  FERNS,  ETC. 


Acer,  110. 

Araliaceae,  129. 

Callitriche,  124. 

Aceraceae,  110. 

Arctium,  138. 

Calluna,  142. 

Achillea,  135. 

Arctostaphylos,  142. 

Caltha,  96. 

^Egopodium,  127. 

Arenaria,  105. 

Calystegia,  149. 

Agropyron,  195. 

Arrhenathemm,  190. 

Camelina,  100. 

Agrostis,  188. 

Artemisia,  136. 

Campanula,  141. 

Aira,  189. 

Asperula,  131. 

Campanulaceae,  141. 

Ajuga,  159. 

Asplenium,  198. 

Caprifoliaceae,  130. 

Alcheniilla,  118. 

Aster,  134. 

Capsella,  101. 

Alisma,  179. 

Astragalus,  114. 

Cardamine,  99. 

Alismacese,  179. 

Athyrium,  199. 

Carex,  184. 

Allium,  176. 

Atriplex,  161. 

Carlina,  138. 

Alnus,  168. 

Avena,  190. 

Carophyllaceae,  103. 

Alopecurus,  187. 

Carurn,  127. 

Amaranthacete,  16U. 

Barbarea,  99. 

Castalia,  97. 

Amaranthus,  161. 

Bartsia,  153. 

Catabrosa,  191. 

Amaryllidacese,  174. 

Bellis,  134. 

Centaurea,  138. 

Ammophila,  189. 

Berberidacese,  96. 

Centaurium,  146. 

Anagallis,  144. 

Berberis,  96. 

Centunculus,  145. 

Anchusa,  148. 

Beta,  161. 

Cerastium,  104. 

Angelica,  129. 

Betula,  168. 

Chara,  202. 

Antennaria,  134. 

Bidens,  135. 

Characese,  202. 

Anthemis,  135. 

Blechnum,  198. 

Chenopodiaceae,  161. 

Anthoxanthum,  187. 

Boraginaceae,  147. 

Chenopodium,  161. 

Anthriscus,  128. 

Borago,  148. 

Chrysanthemum,  136. 

Anthyllis,  113. 

Botrychiuru,  200. 

Chrysosplenium,  122. 

Antirrhinum,  151. 

Brachypodium,  194. 

Circaea,  125. 

Apium,  127. 

Brassica,  100. 

Cladium,  184. 

Apocynaceae,  146. 

Briza,  192. 

Cnicus,  138. 

Aquifoliacese,  110. 

Bromus,  194. 

Cochlearia,  100. 

Aquilegia,  96. 

Compositae,  133. 

Arabis,  99. 

Cakile,  101. 

Coniferae,  195. 

205 

206 


INDEX 


Conium,  126. 

Fumaria,  98. 

Lemna,  179. 

Conopodium,  127. 

Fumariacepe,  98. 

Lemnacece,  179. 

Convolvulacese,  149. 

Lentibulariacefe,  154. 

Convolvulus,  149. 

Galeopsis,  158. 

Leon  tod  on,  140. 

Corylus,  169. 
Crassulacese,  122. 

Galium,  131. 
Gentiana,  147. 

Lepidium,  101. 
Lepturus,  195. 

Cratsegus,  121. 

Gentianacefe,  146. 

Ligusticum,  128. 

Crepis,  139. 

Geraniaceae,  108. 

Liliaceffi,  175. 

Crithmuin,  128. 

Geranium,  109. 

Linacete,  108. 

Crucifera,  98. 

Geum,  117. 

Linum,  108. 

Cupuliferae,  167. 

Glaux,  144. 

Listera,  173. 

Cynosurus,  191. 
Cyperacese,  182. 

Glyceria,  192. 
Gnaphalium,  134. 

Littorella,  160. 
Lobelia,  141. 

Cystopteris,  199. 

Graminese,  186. 

Lolium,  194. 

Cytisus,  112. 

Lonicera,  131. 

Dactylis,  191. 
Daucus,  129. 
Deschampsia,  189. 
Digitalis,  151. 
Dipsacea?,  132. 
Draba,  99. 
Drosera,  123. 
Droseracefe,  123. 

Habenaria,  174. 
Haloragacea>,  124. 
Hedera,  130. 
Helleborine,  173. 
Heracleum,  129. 
Hieracium,  139. 
Hippoph?e,  164. 
Holcus,  189. 
Htunulus   166. 

Lotus,  113. 
Luzula,  178. 
Lychnis,  104. 
Lycopodiaceae,  201. 
Lycopodium,  201. 
Lycopsis,  148. 
Lycopus,  157. 
Lysimachia,  144. 
Lythracese,  124. 

Elaeagnacese,  164. 
Elatinacete,  106. 
Elatine,  106. 
Eleocharis,  182. 
Empetraceae,  171. 

Hydrocotyle,  126. 
Hymenophyllum,  198. 
Hypericacese,  106. 
Hypericum,  106. 
Hypochseris,  139. 

Ly  thrum,  125. 

Malaxis,  173. 
Malva,  107. 
Malvacese,  107. 
Matricaria,  136. 

Empetrum,  171. 

Medicago,  112. 

Epilobium,  125. 
Equisetacese,  201. 
Equisetum,  201. 
Ericaceae,  142. 

Ilex,  110. 
Illecebraceffi,  160. 
Inula,  135. 
Iridacese,  174. 

Melampyrum,  154. 
Melissa,  157. 
Mentha,  156. 
Menyanthes,  147. 

Erica,  143. 

Iris,  174. 

Mercurialis,  165. 

Eriophorum,  183. 
Erodium,  109. 

Jasione,  141. 

Mimulus,  151. 
Molinia,  191. 

Erophila,  99. 
Eryngium,  126. 
Eupatorium,  134. 

Juncacese,  177. 
Juncus,  177. 
Juniperus,  196. 

Montia,  106. 
Myosotis,  148. 
Myrica,  167. 

Euphorbia,  165. 

Myricacese,  167. 

Euphorbiacefe,  165. 

Kreleria,  191. 

Myriophyllum,  124. 

Euphrasia,  152. 

Myrrhis,  128. 

Labiates,  155. 

Fagus,  169. 

Lamium,  159. 

Naiadacese,  180. 

Festuca,  193. 

Lapsana,  139. 

Xaias,  181. 

Filices,  197. 

Lastrea,  200. 

Narcissus,  175. 

Fragaria,  117. 

Lathyrus,  114. 

Nardus,  195. 

Fraxinus,  145. 

Leguminosfe,  110. 

Narthecium,  177. 

INDEX 


207 


Nitella,  202. 

Prunella,  158. 

Solanacese,  149. 

Nymphseacese,  97. 

Prunus,  115. 

Solanum,  150. 

Pteris,  198. 

Solidago,  134. 

CEnanthe,  128. 

Pyrola,  143. 

Sonchus,  140. 

Oleaceae,  145. 

Pyrus,  120. 

Sparganium,  179. 

Onagracete,  125. 

Spergula,  105. 

Ononis,  112. 

Quercus,  169.      . 

Spergularia,  105. 

Orchidacere,  172. 

Spinea,  116. 

Orchis,  173. 

Radicula,  98. 

Stachys,  158. 

Orobanchacese,  154. 

Radiola,  108. 

Statice,  143. 

Orobanche,  154. 

Ranunculacese,  94. 

Stellaria,  104. 

Osmunda,  200. 

Ranunculus,  28,  33,  95. 

Suseda,  162. 

Oxalis,  110. 

Papaver,  97. 
Papaveracefe,  97. 
Parnassia,  122. 

Raphanus,  102. 
Rhinanthus,  154. 
Ribes,  122. 
Rosa,  118. 
Rosacese,  115. 

Tanacetum,  136. 
Taraxacum,  140. 
Teucrium,  159. 
Thalictram,  94. 

Pedicularis,  153. 
Peplis,  125. 

Rubiacese,  131. 
Rubus,  116. 

Thlaspi,  101. 
Thynras,  157. 

Petasites,  137. 

Rumex,  163. 

Tilia,  108. 

Peucedanum,  129. 
Phalaris,  187. 

Ruppia,  181. 
Ruscus,  176. 

Tiliaceae,  108. 
Tolypella,  202. 

Phegopteris,  200. 
Phleum,  188. 

Sagina,  105. 

Trifolium,  112. 
Triglochin,  180. 

Phragmites,  191. 
Phyllitis,  199. 

Salicornia,  162. 
Salix,  170. 

Trollius,  96. 
Tussilago,  137. 

Pimpinella,  127. 

Salsola,  162. 

Typhacese,  179. 

Pinguicula,  155. 

Sambucus,  130. 

TJlex,  111. 

Pinus,  196. 
Plantaginacese,  159. 
Plantago,  159 
Plumbaginacene,  143. 
Poa,  192. 
Polemoniacefe,  148. 

Samolus,  145 
Sanicula,  126. 
Saxifraga,  121. 
Saxifragacete,  121. 
Scabiosa,  132. 
Schcenus,  183. 

Ulrmis,  166. 
Umbelliferse,  125. 
Urtica,  167. 
Urticaceaj,  166. 
Utricularia,  154. 

Polemonium,  148. 

Scilla,  176. 

Vacciniacese,  142. 

Polygala,  103. 

Scirpus,  182. 

Vaccinium,  142. 

Polygalacere,  103. 

Scleranthus,  160. 

Valeriana,  132. 

Polygonacese,  162. 

Scrophularia,  151. 

Valerianacese,  132. 

Polygonatum,  176. 
Polygonum,  163. 

Scrophulariacese,  150. 
Scutellaria,  158. 

Valerianella,  132. 
Verbascum,  151. 

Polypodium,  200. 
Polvstichum,  199. 

Sedum,  123. 
Selaginella,  201. 

Veronica,  151. 
Vicia,  114. 

Populus,  171. 

Selaginellacese,  201. 

Vinca,  146. 

Portulacere,  106. 

Senecis,  137. 

Viola,  102. 

Potamogeton,  180. 

Sherardia,  132. 

Violaceje,  102. 

Potentilla,  117. 

Sieglingia,  190. 

Primula,  144 

Silene,  103. 

Zanichellia,  181. 

Primulacese,  143. 

Sisymbrium,  100. 

Zostera,  181.    . 

208 


INDEX 


GENERAL 

(but  not  including  the  general  matter  under  Orders  and  Genera) 


Accentor,  Hedge,  26. 

Blaeberry  142. 

Carrion  Crow,  23. 

Agrimony,  33,  134. 

Blar-an-Deabhaidh,26. 

Carrot,  129. 

Alder,  71,  168. 

Blinks,  106. 

Catchfly,  103. 

Alkanet,  148. 

Bluebell,  English,  177. 

Cat's-ear,  139. 

All-heal,  132. 

Scottish,  141. 

Cat's-tail,  188. 

Allseed,  108. 

Boar,  Wild,  14. 

Caves,  20. 

Alluvium,  60,  65. 

Bog-bean.  147. 

Celandine,  96. 

Alsike,  113. 

-cotton^  183. 

Centaury,  34,  146. 

Andesite,  57. 

-myrtle,  167. 

Chaffinch,  25. 

Angelica,  129. 

-orchis,  173. 

Chaffweed,  145. 

Angiosperm,  93. 

-rush,  183. 

Chapels,  6,  18,  30. 

Apple,  121. 
Ardskenish,  31,  61. 

Bogha-Mhic-a-Bhas- 
tair,  21. 

Charlock,  101. 
Chervil,  128. 

Arran,  4,  6. 

Borage,  148. 

Chestnut,  71. 

Arrow-grass,  180. 

Boulder  clay,  60,  64. 

Chickweed,  104,  106. 

Ash,  69,  145. 

Bracken,  82,  198. 

Chives,  176. 

Aspen,  69,  171. 

Bramble,  116. 

Chough,  39. 

Asphodel,  Bog,  177. 

Brome,  194.                      j  Chrysanthemum,  136; 

Aster,  Sea,  134. 

Brooklime,  152.              ;  Cinquefoil,  118. 

Auk,  Great,  14,  15. 

Brookweed,  145.                 Clay,  60,  64,  65. 

Avens,  117. 

Broom,  112. 

Cleavers,  131. 

Broomrape,  20,  154. 

Climate,  45. 

Baile-Mhaide,  22. 

Buckbean,  147. 

Clover,  83,  112. 

Balanahard,  22. 

Buckthorn,     Sea,     71, 

Clubmoss,  201. 

Balaromin,  36,  59. 

164. 

Club-rush,  28,  182. 

Balm,  157. 

Buckwheat,  163. 

Cock's-foot,  192. 

Bamboo,  187. 

Bugle,  22,  159. 

Cole-seed,  100. 

Barberry,  96. 

Bugloss,  148. 

Coll,  Isle  of,  4,  67. 

Barra,  Isle  of,  4,  67. 

Bullfinch,  26. 

Coll  Ciotach,  10. 

Bearberry,  142. 

Bunting,  26. 

Coltsfoot,  137. 

Bedstraw,  131. 

Burdock,  138. 

Columbine,  96. 

Beech,  71,  169. 

Bur-Marigold,  135. 

Conglomerates,  57,  64. 

Beet,  28,  161. 

Burnet  Rose,  119. 

Conifers,  71,  76,  195. 

Bent-grass,  188. 

Bur-  reed,  179. 

Convolvulus,  149. 

Bindweed,  149. 

Butcher's-broom,  176. 

Coot,  17. 

Birch,  69,  168. 

Butterbur,  137. 

Cormorant,  15,  33,  40. 

Birds,  15,  17,  19,  20, 
23,  25,  32,  39. 

Buttercup,  83,  95. 
Butterwort,  155. 

Corncockle,  104.            ^> 
Corncrake,  18. 

Bishopweed,  127. 
Bittercress,  99. 

Buzzard,  23. 

Cornsalad,  132. 
Cotton-grass,  183. 

Bittersweet,  150. 

Camomile,  135,  136. 

Couch-grass,  195. 

Blackbird,  25. 

Campion,  19,  88,  103. 

Cow-parsnip,  129. 

Blackcock,  40. 

Canary-grass,  187. 

Cowwheat,  154. 

Blackthorn,  115. 

Canna,  Isle  of,  54,  56. 

Crane's-bill,  109. 

Bladderfern,  199. 

Caraway,  127. 

Cress,  99,  101. 

Bladderwort,  154. 

Carline,  138. 

Crinan,  64. 

INDEX 


209 


Cross,  sanctuary,  35. 
Crow,  23. 
Crowberry,  171. 

Elecampane,  135. 
Elevation  and  tempera- 
ture, 49. 

Garlic,  176. 
Garvard,  34,  61. 
Garvelloch  Isles,  57. 

Crowfoot,  95,  96. 

Elm,  70,  166. 

Gentian,  34,  147. 

Cryptogams,  92,  197. 

Enchanter's        Night- 

Geological    formation, 

Cuckoo,  17,  39. 

shade,  125. 

54. 

Cuckoo-flower,  99. 

Erratics,  64. 

Geranium,  109. 

Cudweed,  134. 

Escallonia,  75. 

Germander,  152. 

Curlew,  33. 
Currant,  25,  122. 

Evergreens      (garden), 

Gigha,  Isle  of,  54,  57. 
Gipsywort,  157. 

Everlasting,  134. 

Glaciation,  63. 

Daffodil,  175. 

Eyebright,  153. 

Glasswort,  162. 

Daisy,  134,  136. 

Globeflower,  96. 

Dalriadiau,  57. 

Falcon,  19. 

Gneiss,  54,  57,  63. 

Dandelion,  140. 

Ferns,  197. 

Gold  of  Pleasure,  100. 

Dead-nettle,  159. 

Fern,  Beech,  200. 

Goldcrest,  26. 

Deer,  Red,  14. 

Bladder,  199. 

Golden  Plover,  18. 

Deer's  Hair,  61,  182. 

Buckler,  70,  200. 

Golden  Rod,  134. 

Deposits,      superficial, 
65. 

Filmy,  70,  198. 
Hard.  198. 

Golf-links,  16,  29. 
Goose,  Barnacle,  15. 

Devil's-bit,  132.                     Hartstongue,  199. 

Brent,  40. 

Dewberry,  117.                      Lady,  199. 

Grey  Lag,  15. 

Dicotyledons,  93. 

Male,  200.                     1  Gooseberry,  25,  122. 

Diorite,  63. 

Moonwort,  20,  200.     |  Goosefoot,  161. 

Dipper,  25. 
Diver,  33. 

Royal,  200. 
Shield,  199,  200. 

Goosegrass,  131. 
Gorse,  111. 

Dock,  163. 

Fescue,  193. 

Goutweed,  127. 

Dog-rose,  120. 

Field-fare,  39. 

Granite,  56,  64. 

Dog's-tail,  191. 

Field-madder,  132. 

Scalasaig,  59,  63. 

Donald  Ballach,  36. 

Fig,  48,  166.     - 

Grass  of  Parnassus,  34, 

Dotterel,  39. 

Figwort,  20,  151. 

122. 

Dove,  20,  25. 

Fiorin,  188. 

Grasses,  186. 

Dove's-foot,  109. 

Fishes,  40,  41,  42. 

Grasswrack,  181. 

Dropwort,  28,  128. 

Flag,  Yellow,  174. 

Greenfinch,  25. 

Dubh-sith  Beag,  9. 

Flags,  59. 

Greenshank,  39. 

Duck,   Eider,    15,   32, 

Flax,  84,  108. 

Grey  Seal,  15. 

40. 

Flora,  The,  86. 

Grey-hen,  40. 

Pintail,  15. 

Forget-me-not,  148. 

Grifs,  57,  62,  70. 

Tufted,  39. 

Foxglove,  151. 

Groundsel,  137. 

Wild,  17,  32. 

Fox-sedge,  28,  184. 

Grouse,  40. 

Duckweed,  28,  179. 

Foxtail,  187. 

Sand,  39. 

Dunan  -  nan  -  Nighean, 

French  Willow,  125. 

Gulf  Stream,  47. 

26. 

Frog  Orchis,  174. 

Guillemot,  19. 

Dunlin,  39. 

Fuchsia,  76. 

Black,  23,  40. 

Dykes,  71. 

Fumitory,  98.                  |   Gull,  19',  32,  40. 

Fungi,  86,  93. 

Gull-teasers,  33. 

Eagle,  Sea,  40. 

Furze,  111. 

Gymnosperms,  195. 

Earthuut,  127. 

Eigg,  Isle  of,  54,  56.         Gabbro,  56. 

Hair-grass,  189. 

Elder,  4,  130.                     Gannet,  32,  40.               i   Hard-grass,  193. 

14 

210 


INDEX 


Hardheads,  138. 

Kerrera,  Isle  of,  57.        j   Mallard,  17. 

Harebell,  141. 
Harris,  Isle  of,  55. 

Kestrel,  23.                        Mallow,  107. 
Kilchattan,  16,  17,  27.      Manna-grass,  192. 

Hart's-tongue,  20,  199. 

Kiloran,  17,  24. 

Marigold,  Corn,  136. 

Hawk,  Sparrow,  25. 

Kiloran  Bay,  20. 

Marsh,  96. 

Hawkbit,  140. 

Kintyre,  57. 

Marshwort,  33,  127. 

Hawk's-beard,  139. 

Kitchen-midden,  14. 

Marten,  14. 

Hawkweed,  139. 

Kittiwake,  19. 

Masterwort,  129. 

Hawthorn,  69,  121. 
Hazel,  69,  83,  169. 

Knapweed,  138. 
Knawel,  160. 

Matgrass,  184,  195. 
Matweed,  189. 

Heartsease,  102. 

Knotgrass,  163. 

May,  121. 

Heath,  143. 

Knotweed,  163. 

Mayweed,  135,  136. 

Heather,  82,  142. 

Meadow-grass,  189,  192. 

Heath-grass,  190. 

Lady's  Bedstraw,  131. 

Meadow  Rue,  33,  94. 

Heath-rush,  177. 

Fingers,  113. 

MeadowSweet,  116. 

Heath-vetch,  114. 

Mantle,  118. 

Measurements  of  trees, 

Hedge  Mustard,  100. 

Smock,  99. 

72. 

Helleborine,  88,  173. 

Lag-na-Birlinn,  22. 

Medick,  112. 

Hemlock,     126. 

Lamb's  Lettuce,  132. 

Melic-grass,  191. 

Hemp  Nettle,  158. 

Lamprophyre,  63. 

Mercury,  165. 

Henbit,  159. 

Landscape,  56,  66. 

Merganser,  23. 

HerbBennet,  117. 

Lapstones,  15. 

Merlin,  40. 

Herb  Robert,  109. 

Lapwing,  17. 

Mesozoic,  56. 

Heron,  33. 

Laurel,  74,  115. 

Mica-schist,  57. 

Hill-forts,   23,  27,  29, 

Lava,  55,  56. 

Milfoil,  124,  135. 

36. 

Lent  Lily,  175. 

Milkwort,  103. 

Hogweed,  129. 

Lewisian,  55,  63. 

Mimulus,  151. 

Holly,  74,  110. 

Lichens,  74,  83,  93. 

Mint,  156. 

Holly,  Sea,  20,  126. 

Limestone,  20,  57,  58, 

Monocotyledons,  172. 

Holyrood,  13. 

59,  62. 

Moonwort,  20,  200. 

Honeysuckle,  20,  131. 

Lime-tree,  71,  108. 

Moor-cock,  40. 

Hop,  166. 

Limpet-hammers,  15. 

Mosses,  74,  82. 

Horsetail,  201. 

Ling,  142. 

Mountain  Ash,  121. 

Hyacinth,  176. 

Linseed,  108. 

Mouse-ear,  104. 

Hydrangea,  76. 

Lismore,    Isle    of,    57, 

Muck,  Isle  of,  56. 

67. 

Mud-sedge,  37,  185. 

Igneous  rocks,  59,  63. 

Loam,  56,  66. 

Mudstones,  61. 

lona,  5,  54. 
Iris,  174. 

Lobelia,  141. 
Loch  Fyne,  64. 

Mug  wort,  137. 
Mull,  Isle  of,  53,  56. 

Islay,  9,  45,  57. 

Lochs,  76. 

Mullein,  151. 

Ivy,  7,  130. 

London  Pride,  121. 

Mustard,  101. 

Loosestrife,  125,  144. 

Jackdaw,  23,  39. 

Lousewort,  84,  153. 

Naiad,  Slender,  181. 

Jacksnipe,  17. 

Lovage,  19,  22,  128. 

Narcissus,  175. 

Jacob's  Ladder,  147. 

Luing,  Isle  of,  57.             Nard,  195. 

Jointed  Rush,  65,  178. 

Lungwort,  151. 

Natural  woods,  69. 

Juniper,  196. 

Nettle,  167. 

Jura,  Isle  of,  57,  64,  74. 

Machrins,  29,  60.               Nightjar,  24. 

Madder,  132.                      Nipplewort,  139. 

Kentallenite,  63.                Magpie,  39.                        No'nsuch,  112. 

INDEX 


211 


Oak,    British,   69,   71, 

Plants  of  the  pasture,     Ribwort,  160. 

169. 

81.                               Riskbuie,  38. 

Evergreen,  75. 

of  the  shore,  89. 

Rock,  basaltic,  54. 

Turkey,  71. 

Plover,  Golden,  18. 

granitic,  59. 

Oat  -grass,  190. 

Ring,  40. 

igneous.  59.  63. 

Orache,  161. 

Poa,  192.                                sedimentary,  58. 

Oransay,  4,  13,  61. 
Orchis,  34,  84,  173. 

Polypody,  200. 
Pondweed,  180,  181. 

Rock-  cress,  99. 
Rocket,  99,  101. 

Osier,  170. 

Poor    Man's   Weather- 

Rockfoil, 37,  122. 

Otter,  14. 
Owl,  25. 

glass,  144. 
Poplar,  71,  171. 

Rock-rose,  68. 
Rocks  and  Flora,  67. 

Oyster,  15. 

Poppy,  97. 

Rook,  25. 

Oyster-catcher,  32 

Porphyry,  57,  64. 

Rose,  119. 

Port  Mor,  28. 

Rose  Bay,  125. 

Palm,  75. 
Pansy,  102. 

Preaching-house,  30. 
Primrose,  144. 

Roseroot,  19,  22,  123. 
Rowan,  69,  71,  121. 

Parsley  Piert,  118. 

Primrose  Peerless,  175. 

Rum,  Isle  of,  56. 

Partridge,  40. 

Puffin,  40. 

Rush,  177,  178. 

Pastures,  81-84. 

Rye-grass,  194. 

Pea,  114. 

Quaking-grass,  192. 

Peach,  48,  115. 

Quartzite,  57.                     Sallow,  170. 

Pearlwort,  105. 

Quartz-porphyry,  56.         Saltwort,  144,  162. 

Peat,  65. 

Queen  of  the  Meadows,     Samphire,    Rock,    45, 

Pennycress,  101. 

116.                                     87,  128. 

Pennywort,  126. 

Quitch-grass,  195.              Sand,  Blown,  65. 

Peppermint,  156. 

Sanderling,  39. 

Peregrine,  19. 

Raasay,  Isle  of,  56. 

Sandpiper,  32,  40. 

Periwinkle,  146. 

Rabbit,  15,  70. 

Sandspurry,  105. 

Petrel,  Frigate,  39. 

Radish,  102.                       Sandstone;  56,  60,  64. 

Stormy,  40. 

Ragged  Robin,  104.        ,  Sandwort,  105. 

Phanerogams,  92. 

Ragwort,  83,  137.              Sanicle,  126. 

Phyllites,  59,  70. 

Rail,  Land,  19. 

Saxifrage,  122,  127. 

Pigmy  trees,  73. 

Water,  25. 

Scabious,  132. 

Pignut,  127. 
Pilewort,  96. 

.  Rainfall,  50,  51. 
Raised  beaches,  18,  33, 

Scalasaig,  16,  59. 
Scalpay,  Isle  of,  56. 

Pimpernel,  144,  145. 

65. 

Scarba,  Isle  of,  357. 

Pine,  197. 

Ramsons,  176. 

Scenery,  66. 

Piper's  Cave,  19. 

Ranunculus,  28,  33,  95. 

Schist,  54. 

Pipit,  17,  24. 

Rape,  100. 

Scorpion-grass,  148. 

Plain  of  the  Church,  36. 

Raspberry,  25,  116. 

Scots  Plane,  110. 

Plantain,  88,  159. 

Ratf  14. 

Sculptured  stones,  13. 

Plantations,  70. 
Plants,  lime-loving,  20, 

Raven,  19. 
Razorbill,  19. 

Scurvy-grass,  22,  100, 
Sea-blite,  162. 

90. 

Redbreast,  25. 

Holly,  20,  126. 

local  distribution  of, 

Red-rattle,  153. 

Kale,  45. 

88. 

Redshank,  33. 

Maram,  189. 

of  dry  situations,  84. 

Redwing,  39. 

Milkwort,  144. 

of  wet  situations,  84. 

Reed,  191. 

Pink,  88,  143. 

of  the  bogs,  90. 

Rest-harrow,  112. 

Purslane,  105. 

of  the  lochs,  77. 

Rhododendrons,  71,  74. 

Sedge,  4,  184. 

212 


INDEX 


Seal,  15,  32. 

Stitchwort,  104. 

Tway  blade,  173. 

Seaweed,  43,  44. 

St  John's-wort,  107. 

Twigrush,  184. 

Sedge,  184,  186. 

Stone  cists,  28. 

Seil,  Isle  of,  57. 

Stonechat,  24,  39. 

Uragaig,  20,  66. 

Self-heal,  158. 

Stonecrop,  123. 

Shag,  33. 

Stonewort,  202. 

Valerian,  33,  132. 

Sheep's-bit,  141. 

Stork's-bill,  34,  109. 

Greek,  147. 

Sheldrake,  32. 

Strawberry,  117. 

Verbena,           Lemon  - 

Shell  deposits,  15. 

Strise,  64. 

scented,  76. 

Shell-fish,  42,  43. 

Sundew,  123. 

Vernal  Grass,  187. 

Shepherd's  Purse,  101. 

Sunshine,  52. 

Veronica,  151. 

Shipwrecks,  28. 

Swan,  17. 

Vetch,  83,  113,  114. 

Shore-weed,  160. 

Sweet  Amber,  106. 

Violet,  102. 

-wheat,  195. 

Briar,  120. 

Shoveller,  39. 

Cicely,  128. 

Wagtail,  26. 

Shrubs  (garden),  74. 

Gale,  167. 

Wall  Pepper,  123. 

Silver-weed,  118. 

Sycamore,  36,  110. 

Wall-rue,  68,  199. 

Skua,  32. 

Syenite,  63. 

Warbler,  26. 

Skullcap,  158. 

Watch-hills,  23. 

Skye,  Isle  of,  54,  55. 

Tansy,  136. 

Watercress,  98. 

Skylark,  18. 

Tare,  114. 

Water  Hen,  25. 

Slate.  57. 

Teal,  17. 

Lily,  97. 

Sloch'd-dubh-Mhic-a- 

Temperature,  48,  49. 

Pepper,  106,  163. 

Phi,  20. 

Temperature  of  the  sea, 

Plantain,  179. 

Sloe,  115. 

53. 

Purslane,  125. 

Snapdragon,  151. 

Temple   of   the    Glen, 

Wheat-ear,  24. 

Sneezewort,  135. 

34. 

-grass,  195. 

Snipe,  17,  40. 

Tern,  32. 

Whimbrel,  40. 

Snowberry,  76,  130. 

Tertiary,  55,  63. 

Whin,  111. 

Soay,  Isle  of,  56. 

Thistle,  138. 

Whitlow  -  grass,       37, 

Solan  Goose,  32,  40. 

Thrift,  19,  143. 

99. 

Solomon-seal,  176. 

Thrush,  25. 

Whorl-grass,  191. 

Sorrel,  164. 

Thyme,  20,  157. 

Whortleberry,  142. 

Sow-thistle,  140. 

Till,  64. 

Widgeon,  17. 

Sparrow,  25. 
Spear-heads,  15. 

Timothy,  188. 
Tiree,  5,  55,  73. 

Willow,        69,         71, 
170. 

Spearmint,  156. 

Titlark,  17. 

Willow-herb,  125. 

Spear-thistle,  138. 

Titmouse,  25. 

Winds,  52. 

Spearwort,  95. 

Toad-rush,  177. 

Winter-green,  143. 

Speedwell,  152. 
Spikerush,  182. 

Tormentil,  118. 
Torridonian,     54,     56, 

Wishing-well,  23. 
Woodbine,  70,  131. 

Spleenwort,      19,     88, 

58. 

Woodcock,  24. 

198. 
Spurge,  165. 

Tree-creeper,  26. 
Trees      and      Shrubs, 

Woodruff,  131. 
Woodrush,  178. 

Spurry,  105. 
Squill,  37,  176. 

74. 
Trefoil,  113. 

Wood-sage,  159. 
Wood-sanicle,  126. 

Star    of    the     Earth, 

Trout,  76,  77. 

AVood-sorrel,  110. 

160. 

Turnip,  100. 

Woods,  natural,  69. 

Starling,  24. 

Turnstone,  39. 

Woolly  Soft  Grass,  190. 

Starwort,  104,  124. 

Tutsan,  106. 

Woundwort,  158. 

INDEX 


213 


Wrack,  Shore,  43,  44. 
Wren,  25. 
Wych  Elm,  166. 

Yarrow,  135. 
Yellow  Bunting,  26. 
Yellow  Flag,  174. 

Yellow  Rattle,  154 
Yorkshire  Fog,  190. 

GAELIC  NAMES  OF  PLANTS,  BIEDS,  ETC. 

Aillean,  135. 

Breac-an-t-sil,  25. 

Cathair  -  thalmhainn, 

Aineach,  178. 

Breoillean,  194. 

135. 

Aiteodha,  128. 

Bridein,  32. 

Cathan,  15. 

Amsan,  32,  40. 

Briollan,  153. 

Ceann  -  a  -  sgadain  • 

Aspag,  33. 

Brisgean,  118. 

dheirg,  158. 

-nan-caorach,  158. 

Cearban,  95. 

Badan  measgan,  155. 

Broga-cubhaig,       102, 

Cearc-fhraoich,  40. 

Bainne  muice,  140. 

141. 

-thomain,  40. 

-bo-gamhnach,  153. 
-crodh-laoigh,  153. 

Bru-chorpan,  177. 
Brudeargan,  25. 

-uisge,  25. 
Ceis-chrann,  200. 

Bal-ar-bodhan,  33,  39. 

Buidheag,  95. 

Chritheach,  A',  171. 

Ballan-buidhe,  137. 

-a-chinn-oir,  26. 

Ciob,  61,  182. 

Barr-a'-mhilltich,  180. 

-an-arbhair,  136. 

Cirean-coileach,  104. 

Bealaidh,  112. 

Buidhean-na-coille,  26. 

Clachran,  24. 

Bearnan-bride,  140. 

Bunabhuachaille,  33. 

-coille,  39. 

Beist-dubh,  14. 

Cloimh-uisge,  202. 

Beitean,  195. 

Cailleach  -  a  -  chinn  - 

Cluain-lin,  105. 

Beithe,  168. 

duibh,  25. 

Cluaran,  138. 

Biadh  -  ur  -  eunachan, 

-oidche,  25. 

Cluas-liath,  139. 

110. 

Cainb-uisge,  134. 

-luchag,  104. 

Bigein-an-  t-sneachd,     Calag,  23,  40. 

Cnamhach,  39. 

26.                                Cal-broilein,  100. 

Cnamh-lus,  134. 

Bilearach,  181. 

-Pharuig,  121. 

Cn6-leana,  118. 

Biolair,  98,  100,  152. 

-slapach,  161. 

Cobhair  Mhuire,  160. 

Biolair-ioc,  124. 

Calg-bhrudhainn,  176. 

Cobharach,  148. 

Biotais,  161. 

Calltuinn,  169. 

Codalan,  97. 

Blathan  -buidhe  -  nam  - 

Calman-coille,  25. 

Coig-bhileach,  118. 

bo,  113. 

-creige,  20. 

Coileach-coille,  24. 

Bliochan,  177. 

Camabhil,  135. 

-dubh,  40. 

Bliochd  fochainn,  141. 

Canach,  183. 

-fraoich,  40. 

Bodan,  188. 

Caolach-miosa,  108. 

-ruadh,  40. 

-coille,  126. 

Caora-bada-miann,  117. 

-traghadh,  33. 

Bog-fhonntan,  140. 

-caorthainn,  121. 

Coin-fheur,  191. 

Bogha-muc,  177. 

-caothaich,  106. 

Coinneal  Mhuire,  151. 

Bolachdan,  17. 

•mhea(ng)lain,  131. 

Coirce-fiadhain,  190. 

Bollasgan,  97. 

Caorag-leana,  104. 

Colgroc,  184. 

Borraidh,  148. 

Caornan,  114. 

Conasg,  111. 

Braban,  191. 

Carbhaidh,  127. 

Copag,  164. 

Braoileag,  142. 

Carran,  105. 

Copan-an-  driuchd,  118. 

Braonan  -  a'  -  mhadaidh 

Cartal,  156. 

Corra-meille,  114. 

ruaidh,  118. 
-coille,  127. 

Casraiginn,  163. 
Cathag,  39. 

Corr-chopag,  179. 
Cos-uisge,  128. 

214 


INDEX 


Cra-gheadh,  32.                 Eala,  17. 

Fuile  Thalmhuinn,  96, 

Crann-Lach,  17.                     -bhuidhe,  107. 

Fuinnseach,  125. 

CrannTeile,  108.               Earball-capuill,  201. 

Cranntachan-an-Deam-     Earra-dhreas,  120. 

Gallan-greanach,  1S7. 

hain,  165.                   Eidheann,  130 

-mor,  137. 

Craobh  Faidbhile,  169.     Eisg,  40,  41  ,  42. 

Garbhag  -  an  -  1  -  sleibh. 

Creachdach,  125.               Eoinean,  134. 

201. 

Creachlach-dearg,  109.     Eun-beag-a-Stoirm,  40. 

Garbhan-creige,  123. 

Creamh,  176.                          -dubh-a-Sgadain,  19. 

Gath-buidhe,  158. 

Crim-raineach,  200. 

-a-Ghiuirinn;  40. 

Geadh-glas,  15. 

Crith-fheur,  192. 

-glas,  25. 

-god,  40. 

Crois-an-Tearmaid,  35. 

-mor,  40. 

Gealbhonn,  25. 

Croman,  23,  40. 

-a-Phiocaich,  40. 

Gearr-dhearc,  96. 

Crotach,  33,  40. 

Geobhastan,  129. 

Cuach  Pharuig,  159. 

Faidbhile,  169. 

Gille-fionndruinn,  146. 

Cuidheal-mhor,  24. 

Fail-chuach,  102. 

Gille-guirmein,  132. 

Cuilc,  101. 

Falcair-fiadhain,  144. 

Giubhas,  197. 

Cuilionn,  110. 

Faoileann,  33,  40. 

Giuran,  129. 

-traghadh,  126.               Farach-dubh,  151. 

Glas-fheur,  195. 

Cuirridin-coille,  201.         Fasgadair,  32. 

-leun,  95. 

Cuiseag-airgid,  189. 

Feadag,  18. 

Gleadhran,  154. 

-mhilis,  192. 

Feamainn,  43,  44. 

Gluineach,  163. 

Cullach,  14. 

-chireagach,  13,  43. 

Gobha-dubh-  nan  -  allt, 

Curran,  126,  129. 

Feannag,  23,  39. 

25. 

Cuthag.  17. 

Fearmdagach,  167. 

Goin-fheur,  190. 

-nimhneach,  158. 

Gorra-ghriodhach,  33. 

Da-bhileach,  173. 

Fearn,  168. 

Grafan-nan-clach,  123. 

Darach,  169. 

Fearsaideag,  101. 

Grain-aigein,  96. 

Deagha-dearg,  146. 

Feoran  Curraigh,  157. 

Grainnseag,  171. 

Dearca,  122. 

Feorine,  188. 

Groiseid,  122. 

-collie,  142. 

Feuran,  176. 

Grunnasg,  137. 

Dearna  Cridhe,  118. 

Feur-chaorach,  193. 

Gudabochd,  17,  40. 

Dithean,  136. 

Feur-a-Phuint,  195. 

Dobhran,  14. 

Feur-saille,  160. 

ladh-lus,  149. 

Draighionn,  115,  121. 
Dreas-chubhraidh,  120. 

Fiadh,  14. 
Fideag,  187. 

lasg,  40,  41,  42. 
Ibhig,  199. 

Dreas-nam-mucag,  119. 

Fineul  Madra,  135. 

lolaire,  40. 

Dreas-na-smeur,  116. 

Mhuire,  100. 

lotliros,  104. 

Dreollan,  25. 

Fionnan-geal,  122. 

lubhar-beinne,  196. 

-dorann,  25. 

Fitheach,  19. 

Droman,  130. 

Fliodh,  104. 

Lacha  Cholasacb,  40. 

Druideag,  24. 

Flur-na-cubhaig,  99. 

-mhor,  15,  40. 

Druidh-lus,  164. 

Foinne-lus,  165. 

-riabhach,  17. 

Dubhan-na-caora,  141. 

Fothannan,  138. 

Leamhan,  166. 

Dubh-chasach,  198. 

Frafann,  65,  178. 

Learg,  33,  40. 

Dubh-fhaoileann  ,32,33. 

(F)raineach,  197-200. 

Lear-uinnean,  176. 

Duchas,  130. 

Fraoch,  142,  143. 

Leitis  Luain,  132. 

Duilleaga-baite,  180. 

Friodh-raineach,  199. 

Liath  Chearc,  40. 

Duilleag-mhaith,  139. 

Fualactar,  127. 

-lus,  137. 

Duil-mhial,  149. 

Fuath-gorm,  150. 

-Truisg,  39. 

INDEX 


215 


Lili-bhuidhe,  175. 

Lus-nan-laoch,  123. 

Neoinean-mor,  136. 

Lion,  108. 

-nan-laogh,  122. 

Neup,  100. 

Lion  na  h-Aibhne,  95. 

•nan-leac,  153. 

Nuallach,  152. 

Lionn-luibh,  166. 

-nan-sgor,  158. 

Lochal,  152. 
Lochlannach,  17. 

-na-peighinn,  126. 
-  na  -  sith  -  chainnt, 

Oidhreag,  116. 
Oibheall-uisge,  126. 

Loirean,  40. 

125. 

-traghadh,  32,  40. 

•riabhach,  153. 

Peabair-uisge,  95,  96. 

Lon-dubh,  25. 

-taghta,  174. 

Peasair,  114. 

Luachair,  177. 

•  teang'  -  an  -  daimh, 

Peur,  115,  121. 

-bhogain,  182. 

148. 

Piobaire,  15. 

Luan-lus,  200. 

Pioghaid,  39. 

Luibh-a-Chait,  134. 
-a-chneas,  116. 

Mac-an-dogha,  138. 
Machall-coille,  117. 

Plinntrinn,  110. 
Pluran    Cluigeannach, 

-a-sporain,  101. 

-monaidh,  12. 

141. 

Chaluim  Chille,  107. 

•uisge,  117. 

Plur-an-lochain,  141. 

-na-machrach,  157. 

Madar,  131. 

Praiseach  Feidh,  101. 

-na-maclan,  109. 

Maorach     (shell  -  fish), 

Mhin,  161. 

-nan-tri-beann,  147. 

42,  43. 

-na-mara,  162. 

Lns-a'-bhainne,  103. 

Maraiche,  100. 

Preas-deilgneach,  96. 

-a-Chadail,  97. 

Marc-raineach,  200. 

-  nan  -  gorm  -  dhearc, 

-a-Chalmain,  96. 

Meacan-dubh-fiadhain, 

117. 

-a-chorrain,  135. 

159. 

-a-chrom-chinn,  175. 

-ragaim,  135. 

Raineach,  197-200. 

-a-chrubain,  147. 

-raibhe,  100. 

Reabhag,  17. 

-an-Aisige,  175. 

-ruadh,  102. 

Righ-raineach,  200. 

-an-Easbuig,  127. 

Meoir  Mhuire,  113. 

Rocais,  25. 

-an-fhogair,  99,  163. 

Meuran  -  nan  -  daoine  - 

Roideagach,  167. 

-an-t-siabuinn,  103. 

marbh,  151. 

Ron,  15. 

-a-R6s,  104. 

Meana'  Ghurag,  40. 

Ruaimleadh,  97. 

-buidhe     Bealltainn, 

Milsean-uisge,  192. 

Ruanaidh,  164. 

96. 

Minmhear,  126. 

Ru-beag,  95. 

-  chosgadh  •  na  •  fola, 

Mionnt,  156. 

Rudh,  109. 

135. 

Mislean,  187. 

Rue-bhallaidh,  199. 

ere,  152. 

Modalan,  155. 

Ruin,  131. 

-ghlinn  -  Bhracadail, 

-dearg,  153. 

165. 

Moin-fheur,  189.                Sadharcan,  17. 

-gun-mhathair  -  gun- 

Morag,  174. 

Sail-chuach,  102. 

athair,  179. 

Mor-fhliodh,  129. 

Saimbhir,  128. 

-deathach  -  thalmh  - 

Moth-urach,  173. 

Saitse-fiadhaich,  159. 

uinn,  98. 

Mucag-fhailm,  120. 

Samh,  164. 

-leighis,  165. 

Muchog,  154. 

Saor-an-dao,  63. 

•  mhic  -  righ  -  Bhreat  - 

Muileann-dubh,  18,  36. 

Sealbhag,  164. 

uinn,  157. 

Muran,  189. 

Seamrag,  112,  113. 

-na-caithimh,  131. 

Mhuire,  144. 

-na-fearnaich,  123. 

Naosg,  40. 

-nan-each,  138. 

-na-Fraing,  136. 
-na-malla,  157. 

Nead-coille,  94. 
Neanntag-aog,  159. 

Seangan,  113. 
Searbhan  muc,  141. 

-na-nieala,  153. 

Neoinean,  134. 

Searraiche,  96. 

•nan-cnapan,  151. 

-cladaich,  143. 

Seasg,  184,  185,  186. 

216 


INDEX 


Seasg-na-mara,  183. 

Sioltach,  23. 

Suth-lair,  117. 

-righ,  179. 

Siunas,  128. 

Seileach,  170. 

Slan-lus,  160. 

Tabeist,  15. 

Seileachan,  125. 

Slat-oir,  134. 

Taghan,  14. 

Seileastair,  174. 

Smeorach,  25. 

Taithean,  184. 

-nan-gobhar,  178. 

Smeuran,  116. 

Tarritrean,  18. 

Seimhean,  183. 

Snathainn     bhathadh, 

Tarruing-air-eigin,  177. 

Seircean  suir'ich,  131. 

124. 

-gun-taing,  177. 

Seobhag,  19. 

Sobhrachan,  144. 

Teang'-an-fheidh,  199. 

-bheag-ghlas,  40. 

Speireag-ghlas,  23. 

Torc-fiadh,  14. 

Sgaireag,  19. 

-ruadh,  25. 

Torrachas  Biadhain,  95. 

Sgarbh,  15,  33,  40. 

Spionan  Mhuire,  118. 

Tuirseach,  104. 

Sgeachag,  121. 

Spog-na-cuthaig,  102. 

Sgeallan,  101. 
Sgitheach,  115. 
Siabunn-nain-ban-sith, 

Sporan  Buachaille,  101. 
Sreang  bogha,  112. 
Sriumh-na-laogh,  151. 

Ubhal,  121. 
Ucas  fiadhain,  107. 
Uinnseann,  145. 

103. 

Steirneal,  32. 

Uiseag,  18. 

Sicamor,  110. 

Suth-eraobh,  116. 

tTrach  bhallach,  174. 

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