194 THE NATURALIST. 



path I have indicated will be found the easier and shorter. Having got to 

 the knolls before-mentioned, which appear to form the summit of one of 

 the two ridges into which the mountain is divided, you see to your right 

 the little lake you have been in quest of. Its eastern side is almost over- 

 hung by the perpendicular wall of the higher ridge of the mountain, alto- 

 gether precluding access in that quarter ; the remainder of the lake being 

 surrounded for the most part by bog. The water, impregnated by vege- 

 table matter, is almost of a coffee-colour, but generally clear, and the whole 

 region has a wild and desolate aspect, strangely contrasting with the charm- 

 ing scenery we have just left. A thick drizzling rain accompanied with a 

 sharp wind did not improve matters on the day of my visit, and 

 added greatly to the difficulty of procuring shells. 



During Ihe first quarter of an hour I searched diligently on the leaves 

 and stalks of the water plants growing in the lake, and scooped up quantities 

 of mud, which I carefully examined, but not a shell could I find. This was 

 rather discouraging, and my ardour was getting somewhat damped, when aery 

 from my guide, who was at some distance, soon brought me to his side, and, 

 to my intense chagrin, I found him ruefully contemplating the broken frag- 

 ments of a splendid specimen, which he had just taken, I got him to point out 

 the spot where he had seen it, and found that it had been crawling on the side 

 of a small rock, which jutted into the lake. Water, rock, and mollusk were 

 nearly of one colour, but by kneeling down besides the tarn, and putting my 

 face almost close to the surface, I was able to see to some distance into the 

 water. After gazing steadily for a few minutes, I thought I discovered two 

 Limnceas crawling up the side of the rock, and a little careful manipulation 

 with the scoop soon put me in possession of the prize. I spent about two 

 hours at the lake, and took eleven specimens of the LimncBa in addition to 

 the first which the guide had broken, and in every instance the mollusk 

 was either crawling on rocks, or free, never attached to aquatic plants, or 

 found in the mud. Had the day been bright and calm, I dare say I 

 should have collected a greater number ; but where the breeze rippled the 

 surface of the water, it was impossible to see anything accurately, even at 

 the depth of a few inches, unless it differed much from the brown tint of 

 the water. 



Owing to the unfavourable state of the weather, and the con- 

 strained position I was forced to assume, it was impossible to observe the 

 animal very accurately in the water : but, although I looked for it, I was 

 unable to detect the mantle which is said to cover the greater part of the 



