NOTES ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OP THE BELL ROCK. 91 



beautiful bluish colour, now they appear quite red. Without 

 any visible means of defence, one can fancy these shell-less 

 molluscs furnishing a delectable tit-bit for a hungry cod. 



Turning over some loose stones in the shallow pools 

 numbers of young paidle-fish are seen adhering to the under 

 sides by means of their breast suckers, and when taken in the 

 hand readily adhere to the fingers. I lately saw an illustra- 

 tion in which the paidle "hen" was depicted as leading a 

 brood of about two dozen juveniles after the manner of the 

 domestic fowl. This is stretching the simile with a vengeance, 

 and not in accordance with facts. The "hen," on depositing 

 the ova, takes no further interest in it, and the " cock " alone 

 guards the nest till the young are hatched out, when he also 

 disappears, neither of them being seen till the following 

 season. Considering that each nest probably contains millions 

 of embryos, one can imagine the maternal anxiety in " airing " 

 such a brood. 



Cooped indoors so long, one is glad to take advantage of 

 the quiet weather and the absence of the tide to enjoy a spin 

 along the gratings, even though at night and in darkness. 

 At first the darkness seems to preclude all possibility of hold- 

 ing a straight course along the narrow path, but as the eyes 

 get accustomed to it the twenty steps and a round turn can 

 be accomplished with wonderful precision. Should the round 

 turn be omitted, however, you will probably be reminded of 

 it by coming a cropper on the Bell Rock, which, though 

 historical, is not at all sympathetic. A similar omission at 

 the other end meets with more sympathy, if such sentiment 

 can be said to enter Neptune's embrace. The flash from the 

 lantern overhead sheds no light below, though some fugitive 

 rays escaping between the flashes illuminate the outlying 

 perches or boat-guides. Any attention to these wandering 

 rays occasions a halting tendency in one's steps and a dis- 

 position to lurch laterally, demanding our undivided attention. 

 The night is clear and dark and the various lights along the 

 coast, which on moonlight nights are partially eclipsed, now 

 show to the best advantage. Fifteen miles to the sou'-west 



