24 THE FISHERIES OF THE ADRIATIC, 



according to Mr. W. Thompson, a general distribution — such as west and 

 south, even throughout the Irish seas. We may feel sure, from its excellence 

 as an edible species, that it has not been overlooked by fishermen, whilst its 

 size, form, and proportions make it the most elegant Crustacean we have — a 

 prize which no naturalist would overlook ; yet, strange to say, it has not been 

 recorded from the western coasts of France, nor do we meet with it till we 

 reach the Mediterranean. It seems to be abundant in the Adriatic, 1 in which 

 sea it may be noticed, that several other outlying forms of northern types 

 have also been met with." 



This is one of the many curiosities which abound in Natural History, 

 affording abundant food for meditation to the student, and over which it is 

 well worth his while to ponder. 



On this head it is not out of place to recall to the reader Professor 

 Forbes' reflections whilst dwelling on a similar, and not less interesting 

 enigma, viz., that of the presence of certain littoral Mollusks on both 

 sides of the Atlantic, and the problem how their migration from one side 

 of the Atlantic to the other was effected, as it undoubtedly was effected in 

 some manner which at best remains a mere conjecture. He says : — 



" The student of history follows with intense interest the march of a 

 conqueror or the migration of a nation. 



" The traveller traces, with most breathless delight, every step of the 

 progress of some mighty hero of ancient days. 



" I have had my share of the pleasure when tracking the course of 

 Alexander and his armies in Pisidia, and determining mile by mile the route 

 of Manlius through Milias ; on ground, too, to the modern geographer 

 wholly new. 



" Yet, absurd as it may seem to those who have not thought of such 

 things before, there is a deeper interest in the march of a periwinkle and 

 the progress of a limpet. 



"It is easier to understand how the son of Philip made his way safely 

 through the sea, on his famous march from Phaselis, than to comprehend 



1 In the Quarnero Gulf. 



