86 LOCH CRERAN. 



very cold weather. So that we cannot look to the shelter 

 and security of the ponds as the cause of the growth upon 

 them, seeing this piece of doubly-exposed wood, thrashed, 

 and tossed, and washed by every breeze, is at least as 

 well occupied as the concrete. 



The water is somewhat warmer as it deepens, so coming 

 shorewards our feet are doubly chilled in the shallows, 

 as we skirt the water's edge. There are some odd white 

 blotches on that stone, a few inches deep in the coldest 

 water. What are they ? We approach carelessly, expect- 

 iug to find a lump of quartz or some other simple white 

 object, when we meet three dog whelks busily employed 

 depositing their spawn in this same month of November. 

 We have noted this in former years, and supposed it 

 abnormal, but must come to the conclusion that the 

 spawn of these and other marine creatures are thrown 

 more or less throughout the year. The great ocean 

 progeny could scarcely be else supplied with food, unless 

 some one or other class of creatures were to throw the 

 needful embryo throughout the various seasons. The 

 young of the little Mysis have been only lately expelled, 

 and now throng the seaweed and the shallows in countless 

 multitudes, a store, no doubt, for the winter subsistence 

 of higher and more vigorous organisms. Young gobies, 

 also, now shelter amid the seaweed-edged rocks and 

 boulders in active little colonies, hanging continually 

 about the same limited area. 



The cry of " herring in the loch " has been so frequently 

 repeated, that the sight of a flight of gulls actively 

 engaged near the supposed frequented area, sent us over 

 to watch their operations. We were soon satisfied that 

 they were occupied with very much smaller fry, but not 

 having taken our weapons with us could not certify the 



