NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FROrM TARBERT. 



XXXVII. 

 NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FROM TARBERT. 



BY THOMAS SCOTT. 



[Read L'3rcl February, 188fi.] 



LocHFYNE lias long been famous as a hunting-ground 

 for the niarme zoologist ; and the names of many 

 eminent naturalists are associated with the records 

 of its fauna, some of whom — as M'Andrew, Forbes, 

 and Jeffreys — though passed away from the scene 

 of their labours in the cause of Science, have left 

 behind them a never-dying memory. Their love and 

 zeal for natural history will continue to stir the 

 heart of the student of nature who is fortunate 

 enough to realise the importance of the work they 

 have accomplished. 



That Lochfyne contains within its profound depths, 

 as well as in its shallower waters, many rare, inter- 

 esting, and beautiful creatures, wonderful in their 

 colouring, form, and sculxiture, does not require to be 

 proved by anything I may say; I wish simply to 

 show that this treasure-house has been iDacked so 

 full that though searched by many careful, keer- 

 sighted devotees to science, there are yet nooks 

 and corners in which enough has still been left to 

 please the eye and delight the heart of the searcher. 

 It will be a long time ere all that is contained in 

 the roomy and well-filled storehouse of nature shall 

 have been fully known. Well might the sweet 

 singer of Israel say: "O Lord, how manifold are 

 Thy works ! in wisdom hast Thou made them all : 

 the earth is full of Thy riches. So is this great and 

 wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, 

 both small and s>reat beasts." 



