CHAP. xiv. CAPTURES A RARE FISH. 281 



and west of Banff. He turned over the loose stones, 

 turned up the Algae, peeped in beneath the corners 

 and shelves of the projecting rocks. He went to the 

 pools, and often had the pleasure of seeing the inha- 

 bitants working in their native element. If he ob- 

 served something that he wanted, he would make a 

 dive at it, though the water might get up to his 'head 

 and shoulders. Sometimes he fell in bodily ; but that 

 did not matter much if he secured his object. 



Here is the manner in which he once caught Bloch's 

 Gurnard (Trigla Blochii). Edward observed one of 

 them swimming in a rock pool. It had by some means 

 or other come pretty close inshore during high water, 

 and had got entangled amongst the rocks, so that it had 

 been unable to make its way out again with the reced- 

 ing tide. The pool, though not deep, was pretty large, 

 so that it gave Edward a great deal of trouble and 

 occupied a considerable time to capture the fish. " If 

 it had not," says he, "been a rarity, I should most cer- 

 tainly have given in and acknowledged myself beaten 

 long before my object was accomplished ; for between 

 water and perspiration I was in a pitiable plight be- 

 fore I gained the victory. As it was, however^I was 

 well repaid in the end, besides the fun ; that is, if 

 there is any other person than myself so foolish as to 

 call splashing up to the shoulders and eyes amongst 

 brine, seaweed, and slippery rocks, * fun.' Although 

 the fish is not large, mine is a splendidly-marked speci- 

 men. In the water, and whilst shooting across and 



