66 NOTES ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BELL ROCK. 



the fleecy curtain, shrieking his every two minute warning, 

 his vessel's head scarcely visible from the bridge. In snow- 

 storms such as we have had of late our lantern soon becomes 

 plastered up with snow on the weather side, necessitating 

 constant removal to prevent it from completely blinding our 

 light in that direction. This is an operation often accom- 

 plished with difficulty, especially when carried out in the 

 teeth of a gale an experience somewhat akin to lying out 011 

 a yardarm under similar conditions, only one doesn't have the 

 lift and 'scend of the vessel to contend with ; yet his grip must 

 be equally as sure, or, as the old salts phrase it, " Every finger 

 a fish-hook," on such occasions. Mounting by an outside 

 ladder to the grated gallery which encircles the base of the 

 lantern, one is exposed to the full force of the blast, and a 

 firm grip must be taken to avoid being blown away. Below, 

 the seas in wild tumult break against the building with a 

 deafening roar, sending a perceptible tremor through the 

 entire structure with each impact. Only by energetically 

 hauling on the hand-rail can the slightest progress . be made 

 in the desired direction, the wind's eye being the objective 

 point, where possibly on arrival one may find himself pinned 

 flat to the lantern, like an entomological specimen, by the 

 force of the wind. The snow removed, the return journey 

 is effected by simply allowing oneself to be blown gradually 

 back. 



While relieving the Bass Rock on our way ashore last 

 relief, a good opportunity was afforded of witnessing the 

 mode of effecting a landing under adverse circumstances. 

 On arrival there, it was considered dangerous to attempt a 

 landing at either of the two landing places, owing to the 

 heavy sea then running. The landings a flight of concrete 

 steps from the water edge to the rocks above are situated 

 on either side of a slight promontory immediately beneath 

 the lighthouse ; and as deep water obtains to the rock face, 

 it will be obvious that similar conditions must frequently 

 prevail at either landing. The boat being loaded with the 

 necessary stores, and the relieving keeper on board, an 



