26 Mary Somerville. 



it came to the surface, covered with tangles and 

 sand, it was supposed to be an island, till, on one 

 occasion, part of a ship's crew landed on it and 

 found out their mistake. However, much as they 

 believed in it, none of the sailors at Burntisland 

 had ever seen it. The sea serpent was also an 

 article of our faith. 



In the rocks at the end of our garden there 

 was a shingly opening, in which we used to 

 bathe, and where at low tide I frequently waded 

 among masses of rock covered with sea-weeds. 

 With the exception of dulse and tangle I knew 

 the names of none, though I was well acquainted 

 with and admired many of these beautiful plants. 

 I also watched the crabs, live shells, jelly-fish, and 

 various marine animals, all of which were objects 

 of curiosity and amusement to me in my lonely life. 



The flora on the links and hills around was very 

 beautiful, and I soon learnt the trivial names of all 

 the plants. There was not a tree nor bush higher 

 than furze in this part of the country, but the coast 

 to the north-west of Burntisland was bordered by a 

 tree and brushwood-covered bank belonging to the 

 Earl of Morton, which extended to Aberdour. I 

 could not go so far alone, but had frequent oppor- 

 tunities of walking there and gathering ferns, fox- 

 gloves, and primroses, which grew on the mossy 



