ISLAND. 



guard this great sea-road into the heart of England. 

 I had been prosecuting some researches among the 

 microscopic zoophytes, and other objects of marine 

 natural history, on the picturesque coast of North 

 Devon, through early summer ; and from the lofty 

 downs and cliffs around Ilfracombe I had often gazed 

 out upon Lundy, a long low wall of purple in the 

 horizon, and wished to explore it. It can be seen only 

 in the clearest weather : many a day I have looked for 

 it in vain ; and thus its appearance became associated 

 with lovely mornings and clear golden sunsets ; and 

 what I had heard of some peculiarities in its zoology, 

 and what I imagined an insular rock so situated might 

 afford to the naturalist, determined me to take the 

 earliest opportunity of a visit to its cliffs. 



Such an occasion was found through the courtesy of 

 Hudson Heaven, Esq., the eldest son of the proprietor 

 of the island, who kindly invited myself and two com- 

 panions to accompany him in his boat, about to sail. 

 Accordingly, the break of day on the 1st of July saw 

 us on the little quay at Ilfracombe, with portmanteaus 

 and carpet-bags, collecting-basket, bottles and jars for 

 zoophytes, and some packets of sandwiches and other 

 comforts for the interior organisation. We had to 

 wait at least an hour after the time appointed, before 

 the tide served : it was rather a cold morning ; the 

 sky was leaden, and there was already a tough breeze 

 from the westward, dead against our course, which 

 seemed likely to freshen: the fishermen, moreover, 

 that sauntered out from their hovels at that early hour, 



