1895-96-] Notes on Morvern, Argyllshire. 189 



from half a pound to 5 lb., lying on the beach. A beautiful 

 sight they were, as they lay on the shingle, glistening in the 

 early morning light. In case any should exclaim against this 

 seeming unsportsman-like capture, I may say that, with the 

 exception of a very few, the whole of the fish were divided 

 among the workmen of the estate. That the river did not 

 Buffer in any way from the haul, I had ample evidence 

 during the next few weeks ; but as the fishing is on a 

 private estate, and strictly preserved, I will not dilate on its 

 excellence. 



To turn to other subjects. One of the things which struck 

 me most during my sojourn in Morvern was the remarkable 

 abundance of insect life, from the lowly midge to the com- 

 paratively gigantic dragonfly. Of the five species of dragon- 

 flies shown, the largest (Cor dideg aster annulatus) is to be got 

 in nearly every place, from the glades of the forest and the 

 open moorland to high up on the mountains. It is very 

 difficult to capture, and I found it easiest to catch when 

 dipping down to lay its eggs among the sedgy growths, in 

 running water or stagnant pools. The short thick-set fly 

 (Libdlula quadrwiaculata) I found not to be so common. 

 The other (Sympetrum scotium) frequents the roadsides, and 

 has a favourite habit of settling on a flat stone on the middle 

 of the road. He requires to be approached with caution to 

 enable the net to be laid over him and a capture effected. 

 The blue-winged fly (Calopetcryx virgo), the prettiest of the lot, 

 I found to be the most abundant of the dragonflies. One spot 

 where I loved to wander and watch them was a small bit of 

 moorland within the confines of the deer-forest, or " sanctuary," 

 as was its rather significant local name, where, if I had been 

 found, I would have forfeited the goodwill of the gamekeeper. 

 Drained by many sluggish ditches and tiny trickling burns, 

 on whose sides grew a profusion of bog-myrtle and heath, this 

 was a very paradise of insect life. Taking the course up one 

 of these rivulets, we catch a glance of a beautiful blue gem as 

 it Hashes past in the sunshine and suddenly disappears. A 

 careful search, however, will reveal it settled with closed wings 

 on a sprig of bog-myrtle. Cautiously approaching, it is soon 

 within the folds of the net, when a drop of benzole quietens 

 its struggles and enables it to be boxed with safety. After 



