specimens had their fruit affected by Ustilago urceolorum, a fungus almost peculiar to Cyperaceæ. Saussurea alpina, Draba incana,* Juncus trifidus, and J. triglumis* were noticed. The only species of Hieracium were H. anglicum and a single specimen of H. chrysanthum. Veronica sȧxatilis* was seen in one spot in flower. This removes the query put after the plant in Watson's "Topographical Botany." Few Ferns were observed, the only species worthy of note being Aspidium Lonchitis and Hymenophyllum unilaterale. The two best plants collected were Saxifragra rivularis and Juncus castaneus.* The former was found in the first snow corrie, and the latter by the marshy sides of a small stream proceeding from the second snow corrie. This is a new county for the Juncus, so far as botanical works have recorded it. It is noted, however, in a guide-book to the district, as being found on the mountain. Below the upper snow corrie Carex pulla was abundant and in fine flower, and some large blocks of stone were covered with patches of Andreæa rupestris and A. alpina in fruit.

The snow corries and precipices are very grand, and at some points overwhelming when viewed from below. Imagine a precipitous front of rock, at least 1500 feet high, bending forwards at many points with a threatening aspect, and extending to a distance of more than a mile and a half, with enormous projecting masses or abutments, which fill the great re-entering angle of the mountain, and divide it into vast recesses or aisles of the wildest aspect. Of this stupendous and impressive object the grand and singularly picturesque feature is the angularity of its appearance, both as a whole and in its subordinate parts. The face of the rock, in the progress of waste and disintegration, is everywhere furrowed or fretted by lines, which at a distance seem to shape it into innumerable fasciculi of small columns or fluted pillars, resembling distinct columnar concretions. These again are joined together in an endless variety of groups, ascending into pointed summits and serrated ridges, which form the most elegant mountain lines, and which accumulate in the projections and recesses, towering successively behind each other, till the whole terminate at the summit of the mountain. But

these rocks are not rich in alpine vegetation, either in the number of species or number of individuals of a species.

Several Diatomaceous gatherings were made both on this and the previous day above 2000 feet. These were transmitted for examination to the Rev. Eugene O'Meara, of Hazlehatch, and the following is a list of the species which he detected:-Coscinodiscus Smithii, Eunotia Camelus, E. diodon, E. triodon, E. tetraodon, Himantidium bidens, H. majus, H. Soleirolii, Navicula angustata, N. alpina, N. crassinervia, N. cocconeiformis, N. gibba, N. limosa, N. icostauron, N. rhomboides, N. serians, N. viridis, and Surirella linearis.

One

On the morning of the 27th the Club separated. party proceeded by an early boat to Ballahulish or Ferrytown, and thence by coach. through Glencoe, with its amazing scenery, and Inverornan to Tyndrum, and then by rail to Killin, and conveyance to Bridge of Lochy, in Perthshire. In several places by the roadsides about Inverornan Drosera obovata was observed. On the 28th, Chamacreagh, or the Crooked Rock, on the Breadalbane mountains, was visited, where Woodsia hyperborea, Myosotis alpestris, Hieracium pallidum, Gentiana nivalis, Hypnum Halleri, and other alpine plants were gathered.

The other party left Fort William later in the day on the 27th, and proceeded by Corranferry and Ardgour to Strontian, at the head of Loch Sunart, in Argyllshire, They ascended Ben Resipole, a mountain 2800 feet above the sea, but found it very unproductive. By the sides of the loch, however, a few good plants were collected, including, Malaxis paludosa,* Pinguicula lusitanica, Utricularia minor,* Osmunda regalis, Lythrum Salicaria * (this plant was also observed in several spots by the sides of the Crinan Canal on our way to Fort William), Drosera anglica, Jasione montana* abundant, Scutellaria galericulata, Nephrodium æmulum,* and Sedum anglicum. This party also returned by Ballahulish and Glencoe, and so ended a very pleasant week's botanical excursion.

X.-Open-Air Vegetation at the Royal Botanic Garden. By JAMES M'NAB, Curator.

(Read at the Monthly Meetings, 1877.)

January. The winter so far has been remarkable, wind and rain in excess, with little snow and frost. The first show fell on 8th and 9th November, doing much injury by breaking the branches and damaging the bark of many deciduous and evergreen trees, such as Oaks, Beeches, Elms, Silver Firs, and Spruces. Although snow in this locality has been less in comparison to many winters, rain has fallen in greater abundance in the last five months than in the same period for many years. All low and· level grounds are saturated with water, and unfavourable to the flowering of many hardy spring bulbs. Snowdrops at this date (January 31) used to be in bloom, not only on elevated grounds, but on level garden lawns; now they are only partially in flower on raised and sloping banks where the ground is dry, and in low damp situations. scarcely appear above the surface of the soil. This dampness may also account for the backwardness of the Crimean Snowdrop (Galanthus plicatus) Leucojum vernum, Crocus susianus, and even of Crocus vernus, all of which were in flower in January 1876 when the weather was colder. I cannot say how long it is since we had such an amount of moisture in one winter; but for the last fifty years we have never been troubled with water in certain of our garden stokeholes till last month, necessitating pits to be sunk in them, and a daily baling out of clear water. What effect this excess of moisture may have on the roots of many shrubby and herbaceous plants growing near the surface it is difficult to say.

Owing to the comparative mildness of the winter, many autumn plants have continued in flower, not, however, in good condition-kinds which probably would not have flowered during an ordinary winter, such as Primroses, Polyanthus, Gentiana acaulis, Veronica rupestris, Lithospermum fruticosum, Potentilla alba, Iberis, Aubrietia, Wallflower, &c., while various species of Helleborus have been remarkably fine, as well as Tussilago fragrans, Sternbergia lutea, and Crocus Imperati (the two last growing on high

parts of the rock garden), Erica carnea alba, Jasminum nudiflorum, Garrya elliptica, and Viburnum Tinus. The common hazel has flowered abundantly this month, and if no frost occur a full crop of hazel nuts may be looked for. Of forty-two plants whose flowering has been recorded for twenty-seven years four species only flowered in January, while eleven were noted in the same month last year.

Besides herbaceous plants there are several shrubs usually in bloom in the open air at this time, which are considerably behind, such as Daphne Mezereum, Rhododendron atrovirens, R. Nobleanum, and Cornus mascula; but whether this arises from the sunless, wet autumn, or the want of frost to mature them for early blooming, it is difficult to say, probably both combined.

To continue the meteorological tables carried on for twenty-two years, showing the amount of frost each month from October till April, I add the following observations :— In October 1876 we did not record one degree of frost, notwithstanding that 353° were registered during the united October months of the last twenty-two years. The lowest markings were in 1856, 1857, and 1862, when 3° only were indicated in each October; while the highest was in 1859, when 56° of frost were registered. The lowest markings in October 1876 were on the 2d, 23d, 25th, 26th, 27th, and 31st, 37°, 37°, 36°, 37°, 33°, and 35° were indicated, while the highest morning temperatures were on the 7th, 8th, 9th, 17th, 18th, and 19th, indicating respectively 55°, 53°, 53°, 50°, 50°, and 50°.

During November 1876 the thermometer was thirteen times at or below freezing, indicating collectively 82° or two more than the previous year-the lowest markings being on the mornings of the 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 29th,

and 30th, indicating 26°, 26°, 20°, 22°, 23°, and 25°, while the highest morning temperatures were on the 3d, 4th, 5th, 17th, 18th, and 19th, indicating 45°, 45°, 46°, 45°, 42°, and 43°.

During December 1876 the thermometer was twelve times at or below freezing, indicating collectively

43°, while December 1875 indicated 81°. The lowest temperatures were on the mornings of the 1st, 13th, 23d, 24th, 26th, and 27th, indicating 29°, 25°, 24°, 26°, 27°, and 27°, while the highest morning readings were on the 2d, 5th, 6th, 7th, 10th, and 11th, indicating respectively 42°, 43°, 44°, 45°, 43°, and 43°.

In January the thermometer was sixteen times at or. below freezing, indicating collectively 73°, while 103° were registered in January 1877. The lowest markings during January were on the mornings of the 2d, 3d, 12th, 15th, 22d, and 23d, indicating 20°, 18°, 23°, 27°, 26°, and 28°, while the highest morning temperatures were on the 8th, 9th, 11th, 19th, 20th, and 28th, indicating 40°, 37°; 37°, 38°, 39°. and 37°.

:

February.-The weather was generally pleasant, and drier than in the four previous months, so that much outdoor work was accomplished.

During the month the thermometer was seven times at or below freezing, indicating collectively 36°, while the united February frosts during the last twenty-three years amounted to 1492°. The highest markings were in 1855, when 220° were registered, and the lowest in 1869, when 6° only were recorded. Up to February 21 this year only 4° were noticed, but since that date frost continued to the end. The lowest markings were on the 8th, 20th, 22d, 26th, 27th, and 28th, when 31°, 30°, 24°, 28°, 20°, and 24° were respectively registered, while the highest markings were on the 2d, 7th, 9th, 15th, 18th, and 24th, indicating 39°, 44°, 40°, 41°, 38°, and 40°. This comparative mildness has hastened vegetation, so long kept back by the excessive moisture of the previous months, as shown by the annexed list of spring flowering plants :