Castle of Cruikston appears, so far as made known, to be the only one in Renfrewshire. It is naturally acrid, and said to be poisonous. It has tuberous roots, and is cultivated in the Island of Portland, as it produces a feculent matter, by boiling the roots, which is wholesome and nutritious, and much made use of as flour. Why should its cultivation not be extended? Passing the noisome vapours of the chemical works at Hurlet or Nitshill, let us proceed to the Waukmill Glen, either via Barrhead or Darnley. Strange it is that the Waukmill Glen has neither been honoured with the strains of the poet, nor the meditations of the botanist. Tannahill wrote of his "Dusky Glen," which, with all its beauties, is a mere ravine, compared to the Waukmill Glen. The Brock burn, in its progress from the muir lochs of the Mearns, passes through this romantic glen, and, by successive leaps over inaccessible rocks, forms a dam or basin, formerly used as a reservoir for the Darnley Bleaching-Works, now deserted and dilapidated. The banks slope suddenly downward towards the bed of the successive falls, thickly covered by a variety of trees and shrubs, with an under-growth of vegetation of a diversified character-such as the rare wood-sanicle, the wood-ruff, and many others which occur in such places. This spot is particularly noticed as a habitat of the herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia), a plant very rare. It is perennial, and associates, like the Arum, with the Mercury. It has a slender upright stem of from four to nine inches, with four horizontallyarranged leaves at the top, in the centre of which is the greenish flower of the class Octandria, which eventually is succeded by a fruit or berry of a dark colour. How this curious plant has been titled "Paris" is not explainable, unless its berry may be supposed to have been the apple which caused the Trojan war. The Waukmill Glen is worthy of a visit, though the operations of the Gorbals Gravitation Water Company may tend in some degree to do detriment to its amenity. Leaving this romantic spot, and retracing so far our steps, we reach the Fereneze and Gleniffer Braes. Along these ridges, and their vicinity, numerous plants of common occurrence are found, but a few only of the scarcer ones, whose peculiarities, either in regard to form, beauty, or utility, are intended to be culled as we wander on. The tuberous Moschatel (Adoxa moschatellina) is a small, vividly green, and tender plant, seeking shelter under the protection of trees in secluded places. There are two spots at the northern base of the Braes where this plant exists-the Hairlaw wood, below the water-fall, near the Glenfield dam, and below the Rev. Mr. Brewster's lately-erected house. The root is in a degree tuberous, and its prettily-formed leaves are radical, each being placed at the summit of a slender stem. The flower is very peculiar-rises from the centre, of a globular form, but containing a compound of florets. It emits a musky odour, from which its name is derived. At these two places, the moschatel intermingles freely with its more common, yet equally retiring and shelter-seeking neighbour, the wood-sorrel, commonly called "Ladies' sourrock," (Oxalis ascetosella.) This lovely little plant grows almost invariably in woods, and is ever-green. It is well kown for its fine acid flavour, which is such as to produce a most palatable conserve. A scientific gentleman lately proved to satisfaction, from the Irish word "Sham-rog," that this plant is the true Shamrock of Ireland. Every one knows that it is customary to wear the badge of the Shamrock on St. Patrick's Day, and that the common trefoil or clover is made use of, clearly through mistake, arising from the trefoliated leaves of both plants tending to confound them. While in the lower department of the ridges, it would be a matter of regret to leave unnoticed one or two plants deserving of attention. At the base of the Gleniffers, in several marshy places, as below Braehead, that showy plant, the purple spiked Loosetrife, is to be found growing to the height often of three feet, exhibiting its long tapering spike of purple flowers. From its fine appearance, this plant has been introduced into the garden. It can be seen to great advantage upon the islet in the centre of the dam at Colinslie Printworks, which is covered with it, and, in the proper season, blooms "unprofitably gay." Another Loosetrife, but of a different class, is found about the base of the Braes-the Wood Loosetrife (Lysimachia Nemorum), which trails on the ground, and has a very elegant yellow flower. If these plants, and other Loosetrifes, had the fancied property of dissolving quarrels, they would be invaluable indeed. The Bitter Ladies' Smock (Cardamine amara) is to be found in the moist gullies as you proceed upwards. It is of the tetradynamious class, and, forms a good salad, as indeed does the common Ladies' Smock (C.pratensis.) The Butterwon't (Pinguicula Vulgaris) also occurs, but not commonly, though its name would import the reverse. [To be continued.] SONNET, SUGGESTED BY A PICTURE OF SIR WILLIAM WALLACE, IN THE PAISLEY ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL EXHIBITION IN BEHALF OF THE LIBRARY, FEB. 18, 1847. NO. VII. SEE Scotland's Hero bending o'er his shield, My indignation and my valour burn, Of Fatherland the injuries to repair." Forth spring the young, the valiant, and the free; 2 N THE EAGLES' REVENGE. A TALE OF THE TRIBE OF THE LAS-MAG-MI. "The arrow flew-Galvina fell in blood."-OSSIAN. WHILST Columbus, leaving the coast of Andalusia, was steering, in his fragile equipment, for the Western Seas, the aborigines of Northern America, though wrapt in gloomy ignorance, were enjoying comparative happiness. Feuds existed among themselves, it is true, ofttimes ending in carnage and tribe-extinction. Still, as the undisturbed possessors of the soil, they were not accursed by European innovation. The evening sun was sinking behind the broad waters of Lake Erie, as the warriors of Las-mag-mi returned victoriously from a predatory attack on a neighbouring tribe. Reposing their wearied limbs under a forest glade, they beheld the outlines of an advancing band. Suspicious, the warriors stood prepared to receive them as enemies; but their caution was unnecessary, for, on a nearer approach, they recognised the messengers of a distant tribe, an ally, whose object was merely to announce, that the chief of their powerful tribe would visit Las-mag-mi on the appearance of the new moon. This intelligence roused the vanity of their chief Fas-fas-ka, and he resolved to receive the announced guest in a style of unexampled munificence. Accordingly, he gave strict injunctions to his Indians to secure abundance of venison. Parties were formed, one to steal the finny tribe of the waters from their element; another, to bring down from their flight the winged fowls of the air; and a third, to pursue and secure the fleet quadrupeds of the land. Each party, in the landable spirit of emulation, resolved to strain its utmost nerve to be the most successful. The old moon had receded from view, and the three parties, in accordance with their chief's instructions, returned to the village, where they were introduced to the impatient chief. He first addressed the party who had gone in search of fish. "What success have you met with?" "O chief! we obeyed thy injunctions, toiled at thy command, and have been successful," replied the leader, who, along with the addressed party, made an abject obeisance. The chief turned his keen, small, piercing eye to the second party. He spoke not, but they recognised his pleasure, and said— "We have, most powerful Fas-fas-ka! been also successful. Look to the eastmost corner of your lodge, and behold! brilliant plumage glitters in the sun." The chief nodded a sign expressive of his pleasure. He looked over to the third party. Their downcast looks told too plainly, want of fortune. They were silent. "Speak!" said the chief sternly. "Oh! irresistible Fas-fas-ka, we claim thy protection. We strained every nerve; we have slept none for three nights past, endeavouring to please thee, but have been unfortunate." The lips of the haughty chief curled with displeasure; his brow lowered; and he uttered, through clenched teeth, strong terms of his disapprobation. Quickly turning to the two other bands, he said— "You have been successful. We must have venison to garnish the repast of our allies. So, run! scour the plain with the eagle's eye, and the lightning's speed. Ere the morrow's sun go down, return, not with empty hands, but well filled. Away! remember your fate hangs upon your success.' The party made a sign, expressive of acquiescence, and left the presence of their proud chief, around whose mouth played a look of resolute determination. No sooner were they free from his commanding countenance, than they muttered terms of their chagrin at being appointed to execute so troublesome a task, when the rest of their brethren were enjoying the pleasures of the dance and the carousal. Complaint was useless, and they searched for consolation and advice in each other's faces. "What can we now do? The expert huntsman Kia-ie-ee has, along with his practised assistants, been defeated in all attempts to ensnare the game! We have been successful in the sea and the air, the elements we have been accustomed to; but who can promise us success on the land?" A deep silence ensued, but no consoling strains were heard. The Indians set up a mournful chorus, tore the hair from their heads with grief, and threw themselves on the ground. In the midst of this scene, an older Indian seemed alone to refrain from those violent expressions, his fellows uttered. His hair had changed with time, deep wrinkles furrowed his brow; yet his voice was firm, and his step elastic. "Friends," said he, "why do you thus weep? Once I was young like yourselves, and often gave myself over to the bitter pangs of despair. Yet was I never forsaken by the GOOD SPIRIT. He has delivered me from a thousand perils more threatening than the present. The old moons have sunk in the other world beyond the mountains, leaving us for a while in darkness; but new ones came, to cheer our paths in the night. The GooD SPIRIT may leave you; but erelong he returns, and cheers you by his presence. Follow me, and I fear not he will make you successful." Every countenance changed, and hope twinkled in every eye, at these cheering words. Each one sprung to his feet, and followed. Now were they scen crossing a rapid stream; then ambulating under the tall boughs of a plantation; at another time following the footsteps of the old man over the luxuriant herbage of a flower-shaded mountain, or ascending some of its steep cliffs. "Be not tired," said the patriarch in a consolatory strain—" be not tired, my brave youths; soon shall we arrive at our destination." Onwards moved the imposing procession, with a regular and rather quick step. They followed in silence, as their leader conducted them through a lengthened shade of birch trees, "High o'erarched, embower'd." At the end of this cool and sheltered way, a smooth rivulet flowed clear as crystal. The old man paused and said, "Drink ye of this stream: its waters are pleasant to the taste, and strengthening to the frame. We have yet one great difficulty to overcome. Be patient, and you shall succeed. Drink deep of the waters; they are blessed by the GOOD SPIRIT, and have a medicinal virtue." The Indians, being refreshed, resumed travelling. With difficulty they scrambled up an intersecting precipice, on which they began to murmur at the difficulties into which they were led; whilst some acted so ungraciously as to insinuate they were seduced away, with the view of being delivered into the hands of the Wams, upon whose territory they were now closely bordering. The old man, to silence unjust murmurings and vindicate his integrity, laid open his scheme. "See you yon wild craggy peak? On the westward corner, a pair of eagles long ago built their nest. Oftentimes they sally forth, and whilst they appear like a speck on the distant sky, they are making rapid spiral evolutions in descending and pouncing their talons on some ill-fated inhabitant of the wild, or on some of the flocks of the Wams' foe. Although they seize much from them, we escape their ravages. Let us mount. We will find it well stocked with what we search after. Let us then mount, and clear it." Whilst he thus spoke, his finger pointed to a crag overhanging the Indians, very dangerous to ascend. They slightly trembled; but, recollecting that their return without venison would draw down the displeasure of their chief, their only course was to comply. After an arduous struggle, the party safely reached the summit. There, as the suggester expected, a considerable portion of the lighter venison was found. When they had cleared the eyry of all its desired contents, they descended more slowly, but with spirits more elated. On their way home, they found a fat buffalo entangled in a morass, whence he could not move. This excellent prize was secured; and with lightsome hearts they re-trod their former steps, and reachd home as the sun had thrown his last streaks of crimson over the verdant earth. They were introduced to their chief, who received them with greater pleasure than before, because they were more fortunate. Another sun arose. Ere it had reached its meridian, Quas-gi-gua, the powerful ally of Fas-fas-ka, was seen moving over the mountain with a numerous retinue. Loud exclamations of joy, which pealed through the valley, welcomed the visitors. They met, and received each other according to their conventional notions of civility. Both chiefs, after Quas-gi-gua, chief of the Thos-pi-ha tribe, pulled of his mocassins, in token of the sincerity of his visit; sat down on a buffalo skin; and then, with a long pipe or calumet (the symbol of peace and friendship amongst the Indians), fell to smoking tobacco, mixed with the leaves of the sumach, which grows in a distant part of their country. When all these preliminaries of courtesy were gone through, the Thos-pi-has made known the object of their visit, by detailing the wants of their tribe, and requested the visited to supply them. Such messages were frequently exchanged amongst the peaceful tribes of North America, and it was accounted an insult and a breach of courtesy to send them away without the expected supply. The request of the visitors was granted. Both chiefs were satisfied; and as Quas-gi-gua was preparing, along with his followers, to depart, |