Account of a botanical excursion to the Mull of Cantyre, and the island of Islay, in August, 1844 / by J.H. Balfour.

  • Balfour, John Hutton, 1808-1884.
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Account of a botanical excursion to the Mull of Cantyre, and the island of Islay, in August, 1844 / by J.H. Balfour. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

    11/32 (page 11)
    Peroxide of Iron, with some Alumina, 20-79 20-00 Sesquioxide of Manganese, 7-33 2-44 Magnesia, and some Lime, trace. 12-00 Plumbago, 13-67 3-60 Carbonate of Lime, .... 20-12 1-15 Insoluble matter, consisting of Silica and Alumina, &c., 32‘76 55-00 Water, ...... 5-33 6-81 10000 lOl-OO Near Ealabus there is a chalybeate well. Throughout the island monumental stones, forts, and other antiqui- ties occur. The climate is similar to that of the other Western Islands, being mild and moist. Plants which will not stand the rigour of a continental climate succeed well. At Islay House many of the more delicate plants thrive in the open air. The garden contains several plants, which are interesting both in a floricultural and horticultural point of view. At Mr. Campbell’s cottage, in the south-east of the island, many fine plants were observed. Rhododendrons there at- tained a very large size. In Islay there is still a great extent of improveable land, which might easily be brought into cultivation. Much has already been done in the way of improvement by the spirited and enlightened pro- prietor, Mr. Campbell, and he has been ably seconded in his efforts by Mr. Chiene, his intelligent, indefatigable, and, I may justly add, hos- pitable factor. By draining, burning, paring, and the application of lime, much moorish laud has been rendered productive. We saw excellent crops of oats on land recently reclaimed. Mr. Campbell seems to be anxious to introduce all the improvements which have been suggested of late by agricultural chemists, and I believe that his zealous and well directed efforts will soon make a great change in the aspect of the island. The zeal and energy of his factor, too, are seen in the mode in which various improvements have been carried out in the neighbourhood of Islay House, and perhaps in none more than in the formation of a road through a wet peat moss, which is now in the course of being drained and brought under the action of the plough. We commenced our excursion in Islay, on Friday the IGth of August, by staiting after breakfast for Kilchoman, which is situated in the south-west of the island. We reached this place by the aid of conveyances provided by Mr. Chiene, and at once proceeded to exam- ine the sandy shoies in the neighbourhood. The sands here, as in Cantyie, are kept together by Ammophila arenaria, Carex arenaria, Tiiticum junceum, and other creeping grasses and sedges. Near Kilchoman we found Sinapis alba, Listera ovata, Habenaria viridis, and Gentiana Amarella both blue and white. In the churchyard of Kilchoman there are some curious gravestones, and an old cross similar to one in the Main-Street of Campbelton. It is said, indeed.