SOLITUDE. 399 



a sort of appetite for hazard, the excitement itself", 

 the pleasure of daring and of surmounting danger, 

 being a sufficient remuneration. 



The promontory is Torr Point, that long narrow 

 slope of green turf which I have already described, in 

 a walk by which it is attained from above. The 

 projection and the elevation combine to afford the 

 beholder a wide-spread range of prospect from its 

 height, a prospect of sublime features. 



This district of the coast, including not the Point 

 only, but the bays and margining rocks on either hand, 

 was one to which I chiefly delighted to resort; the 

 rather because in its rugged recesses, the particular 

 objects of my scientific inquiries were found in rather 

 than ordinary profusion and variety. 



To sit on rocks, to muse o'er flood and fell, 



To slowly trace the forest's shady scene, 

 Where things that own not man's dominion dwell. 



And mortal foot hath ne'er or rarely been ; 



To climb the trackless mountain all unseen, 

 With the wild flock that never needs a fold ; 



Alone o'er steeps and foaming falls to lean ; — 

 This is not solitude ; 'tis but to hold 

 Converse with Nature's charms, and view her stores unrolled. 



Childe Harold ii. 25. 



THE SCARLET AND GOLD MADREPORE. 



Sept. \Qth. — A very distinct species of Madrepore, 

 and one of great beauty, I discovered to-day. It was 

 spring- tide, and the water receded lower than I have 

 seen it since I have been here. I was searching 

 among the extremely rugged rocks that run out from 



