Imperial gazeteer of Scotland, or, Dictionary of Scottish topography > Volume 1

INTRODUCTION.
districts; the late Angus oat, extensively cultivated in the central districts; the Cupar-G range
oat, a prolific but late sub-variety of the late Angus ; the Blainslie oat, of variable reputation
during about fifty years past for high and late situations in the south-eastern districts; the
Drummond oat, adapted to strong clay soils, and cultivated in some parts of Perthshire; the
Magbiehall oat, which originated long ago in Peebles-shire; and the Dyock oat, which
originated about twenty-three years ago in the vicinity of Aberdeen, and has been found well
suited, in all parts of the kingdom, to poor soils in cold high situations. Of barleys there are
bere or bigg, extensively cultivated in the Hebrides and Highlands, and peculiarly suitable
for exposed light grounds ; the Scotch barley, which admits of great latitude in the time
of sowing, and was once in pre-eminent favour with brewers and distillers; and the Annat
barley, which originated twenty-three years ago in the Carse of Gowrie, and has superior
qualities, though inferior adaptation, to the universally favourite Chevalier. And of wheat
there are the common white wheats of East Lothian, the Carse of Gowrie, Morayshire, and
other districts, all called Scotcli white wheats, but perceptibly differing from one another in
qualities and adaptation ; Hunter's wheat, which originated on a moor in Berwickshire, and
has long been famous in the south-eastern districts ; Mungoswells wheat, which originated
about twenty-five years ago in East Lothian, and contests the palm with Hunter's; the white
golden drop wheat, which originated twenty years ago in the Carse of Gowrie, and has a
medium character between the common-eared wheats and the turgid ones; the Hopetoun
wheat, which originated twenty-two years ago in East Lothian, and has challenged much
attention in comparative experiments ; and the white-bearded Shanry wheat, which originated
about twenty years ago in Perthshire, and is a very superior winter bearded wheat. Many
other varieties and subvarieties, less known or of less value, might be added ; and the Scottish
varieties and hybrids of some other field-plants are correspondingly numerous.
ANIMALS.
The zoology of Scotland comprises multitudes of interesting species which are common to
it with other countries, but very few interesting species or varieties which are peculiar to itself.
Its zoophytes, and some of its worms, present many attractions to naturalists, but scarcely
any to general observers. Some of its entozoons and its insects possess a sad interest to
stock farmers, for the diseases they create in sheep and cattle; and many of its insects and
its land molluscs possess a similar interest to arable farmers, gardeners, orchardists, and
foresters, for the injuries or the destruction they inflict on crops; but none of these are
peculiar. The crustaceans, the sea molluscs, and the salt-water fishes yield an abundant
trade to fishermen and fishmongers. The fresh-water fishes afford ample sport to anglers, as
well as some curious study to naturalists; and a beautiful one of them, called the vendace,
peculiar to a single lake in the parish of Lochmaben, is not a little interesting to all classes
of observers. The reptiles, happily, comprise few species; but among these are a profusion
of the odious toad and great plenty of the noxious viper.
The birds, including the migratory as well as the stationary, amount to nearly three
hundred species. Among the aquatic birds are wild ducks, wild geese, the gannet, the wild
swan, gulls, terns, guillemots, sand-pipers, snipes, the heron, the bittern, and the stork.
Among the predatory birds are owls, hawks, the kestril, the raven, the magpie, the butcher-
bird, the osprey, and the eagle. Among the singing birds are linnets, larks, the thrush, the
starling, the bulfinch, the goldfinch, the seskin, the blackbird, and the blackcap. And
among the game birds are the woodcock, the partridge, the blackcock, the red grouse, the
grey ptarmigan, the quail, the landrail, the pheasant, and the plover. The capercailzie, or
cock of the wood, who once walked our mountains as king of the gallinaceous tribes, and was
exterminated by the excessive pursuit of sportsmen about the middle of last century, has of late
years been reintroduced from Sweden to several upland estates, and may possibly become
once more a familiar inhabitant of our highland wastes. The domesticated fowls comprise
all the approved kinds of poultry, both economical and ornamental, in fine selection and
under good management; but do not present any peculiar, or at least remarkable, Scottish
breeds.
The wild mammals comprise sixteen sea-species and thirty-seven land-species. Seals are
particularly numerous. The common rabbit, the common hare, and even the alpine hare are
abundant. The roebuck, the fallow deer, and the red deer are carefully preserved in the
Highlands, and form a prime object of interest to sportsmen. The principal other native