122 A RAMBLE TO BRANDY COVE. 



been called fish-insects ; and we name this the Many- 

 footed Fish. It is not particularly small, being nearly 

 two inches in full length, from the tip of its antennae 

 to the extremity of its long bristles behind. The way 

 in which it performs its vigorous leaps does not at 

 first appear ; but if you look carefully you will find 

 all along each edge of the belly a row of short, stiff 

 points, directed forwards, which move on a joint, and 

 ordinarily lie close to the body. When, however, the 

 insect wishes to leap, all these little bristling points 

 are forcibly thrown out at right angles, as if with a 

 spring-movement ; and by the impulse the insect is 

 projected forward through the air to the distance of a 

 foot or more. The tail is furnished with several long 

 bristles, which have been supposed to be the organs 

 employed in propulsion ; but I think this is quite a 

 mistake. It is a rather pretty creature, marked in 

 chequers of light and dark gray, and often reflecting 

 prismatic tints. 



From the highest part of the downs a broad slope 

 of turf, dangerously steep, descends to an abrupt edge, 

 whence the rock is absolutely perpendicular for three 

 hundred feet or so, down to a little cove, fringed with 

 many a pinnacle and projecting ledge, washed by the 

 sea at high water. Just as I appeared over the sum- 

 mit of the down, a sharp, querulous cry was uttered, 

 and presently repeated by a number of similar voices, 

 and up sprang into the air above the cove about a 

 hundred and fifty gulls. They had evidently been 

 disturbed from their resting-places probably their 



