1896-97-] The Upper Elf Loch, Braids. 287 



Koyal Physical Society in 1894, on "The Eeptiles and Batra- 

 chians of the Edinburgh District," it is recorded that all three 

 species of the newt have been found in " a pond on top of 

 the Braid Hills," which is probably the same pond as the one 

 we are now describing. At the Upper Elf Loch we have 

 noticed the common smooth newt (Molge vulgaris) and the 

 warty newt (M. cristata), but the rarer palmated newt {M. 

 palmata) has not yet been observed by us. A specially large 

 form of the common frog, raised to the rank of a species by 

 some, is found at the Braids, and was noted by us near the 

 loch. 



In conclusion, we trust that the recital here given of 

 the numerous and interesting forms of life observed in this 

 small sheet of water may incite others to take up similar 

 investigations. There is a peculiar pleasure in pond-work, 

 as all who have tried it can testify. Even its uncertainty 

 adds a certain charm and zest to the pursuit ; and yet, 

 though it is the case that one never can foretell what the 

 exact results of a haul may be, it is seldom indeed that some 

 forms of interest or of beauty are not secured. While spring 

 and summer, as a rule, may be said to yield the best results, 

 still even in winter the variety of life which may be got is 

 surprising. In February of this year (1897) we found, on 

 paying a visit to the Upper Elf Loch, that it was frozen over 

 with thick ice from end to end, and the surroundings wore a 

 very wintry aspect indeed. But, determined not to be balked, 

 a hole was soon made in the ice, and a gathering taken 

 from underneath it by the drag-net, which afterwards turned 

 out to be very rich in some respects. Curious larval forms of 

 crustacea were present ; growing - spores, in different stages, 

 of various motile algae were numerous ; desmids and diatoms 

 were dividing on every hand ; while rotifers of varied hue and 

 shape were abundant. After being kept in an aquarium in 

 the heat of a sitting-room for a few days, all these infini- 

 tesimal aquatic forms of life started into fresh vigour and 

 loveliness, furnishing abundant material for the work of many 

 hours with the microscope. While some periods of the year, 

 therefore, are undoubtedly better than others, it can hardly be 

 the case that the pond-worker will ever go unrewarded. 

 vol. in. u 



