312 LOCH CRERAN. 



very difficult, indeed, to circumvent a Highland cow and 

 calf. 



We have come to look "upon Meteorology so much as 

 a matter of barometric and thermometfic readings, that 

 it is quite refreshing to come upon a more liberal render- 

 ing of the term. Thus we muttered to ourselves as we 

 turned over- the little eight-page pamphlet' with in whose 

 modest bounds the Archaeological and Physical Society 

 of Bute has published the interesting observations of Mr. 

 James Kay on the natural phenomena and seasonal 

 changes noted by him at Rothesay. The importance of 

 the booklet is infinitely beyond- its unpretending appear- 

 ance, and if every district in the country were to provide 

 itself with an equally careful and intelligent observer, and 

 an equally cheap and sensible abstract of observations, 

 we should soon be in possession of a series of recorded 

 notes on natural subjects within the reach of moderate 

 purses and prepared for ready comparison. Not only 

 have we wind and rainfall, thunder, auroras, halos, and 

 rainbows, but the return of the seasons is indicated in 

 the most interesting way by the date of flowering and 

 leafing of trees and shrubs, and progress of vegetation 

 generally; and the date of arrival of certain birds of pass- 

 age. It is curious to note that the corncraik has only 

 varied over seven years from the 4th May to the i5th ; 

 while the swallow has varied in its arrival from i4th April 

 to 8th May, and the cuckoo from 22d April to 3d May. 

 The corncraik and cuckoo thus varied in their arrival 

 eleven days, while the less certain swallow varied twenty- 

 four days. One can scarcely fancy a more useful work 

 than this in connection with our latest and least advanced 

 science, and a series from properly selected centres 



