Basalt outcrops in South-east Scotland – an overlooked wealth of treasures?

Sandy Coppins and David Long

This article reviews the many rare and valuable lichens, bryophytes and vascular plants found on several sites on basalt outcrops, such as Arthurs Seat, Minto Craigs and Trapain Law. It also includes information on the habitats found on these basalt outcrops and the efforts being made to conserve these habitats and their valuable flora and fauna.

Comment: Wildlife bridges for small mammals
Pat Morris and Shusaku Minato

Following on from successful wildlife bridge building schemes in European and Japan, efforts have been made to replicate that success in the UK. This article reviews these efforts and argues for the importance of these structures for habitat continuity for small mammals, in particular the Hazel Dormouse.

The enigmatic Erebia – the Scotch Argus in Britain
Paul Kirkland

A butterfly known only from two British localities, in northern England and Scotland, the Scotch Argus has specific habitat requirements. This article examines the behaviour and distribution of the butterfly in these two localities and offers possible explanations for the differences in its habitats between these two localities.

Lapwings on a downland farm – a personal view
H A Edmunds

In an effort to reverse the collapse of Lapwing populations in the 1970s, this downland farm in Wiltshire has adopted farming practices more suited to the habitat required for breeding Lapwings. This article reviews the methods used and the resulting changes to the Lapwing population.

Britain’s first county flora: John Ray’s Cambridge Catalogue of 1660
Chris D Preston and Philip H Oswald

This will be a well-known text to many botanists, although few are likely to have a true understanding of its contents. This article describes some of the features of this impressive work.