Dr. Mac Culloch on the Chart of Shetland. 23 



to which the compiler might have had access, gives a far more 

 correct view of them. It is indeed difficult to conceive how any 

 one drawing them at all, could have contrived to do it so in- 

 correctly ; as the most superficial examination by the eye, is suf- 

 ficient to correct the glaring errors which occur in the chart. 

 The bridge which connects the two is not only omitted, but its 

 place is indicated much too far to the southward. A deep bay 

 on the east side of East Burra, which is reduced to almost 

 nothing in the chart, is so situated and of such dimensions in 

 nature, as to tempt a boat into it from Cliff Sound, with the ex- 

 pectation of finding the passage between the two islands. At 

 the southern extremity of each of the islands, there is also a 

 peninsula separated by a low rock, in one case indeed nearly 

 insulated ; but these are totally omitted in the chart. 



But it is unnecessary to proceed further, and I shall therefore 

 conclude these remarks on the general outlines of the Shetland 

 Chart, by noticing the incorrectness of the draught of Foula, 

 which the most superficial view might have given in a better 

 form, and which it would require no great expense of time to 

 survey with sufficient accuracy for all general purposes. 



In terminating this communication, I shall only add, that a 

 set of the most common astronomical observations on the lati- 

 tudes and longitudes of a few leading points, would materially 

 improve this chart ; and that, with the assistance of the pilot 

 before-mentioned, the industry of an active person would, in 

 one or two summers, supply most of the chief desiderata in the 

 present imperfect documents, until a real survey of all the islands 

 can be effected. It is in vain to attempt to construct such a 

 chart by the ordinary operation of boat surveying ; as the rapi- 

 dity and uncertainty of the currents, render it absolutely impos- 

 sible to determine points in this manner with any tolerable accu- 

 racy. I shall therefore trespass no longer on the patience of the 

 readers of this Journal, to most of whom the navigation of Shet- 

 land is, perhaps, as little interesting as that of the Celebes or Loo 

 Choo. It is sufficient to have justified, by the details already 

 given, the general censure with which I commenced this com- 

 munication ; and its object will be fully attained if it shall either 



