78 CraiginiUar and its Environs. 



lightened age " prevails in many parts of the country 

 regarding newts, frogs, and other amphibious animals, 

 which are amongst the most innocent and inoffensive 

 of God's creatures, is most remarkable. In rural 

 districts it is quite common to find boys, and even 

 grown-up people, destroying them wherever and when- 

 ever an opportunity presents itself, having been 

 brought up in the belief that they are "poisonous." 

 It might be well if School Boards would introduce 

 small aquariums into our schools, in order that children 

 could have opportunities afforded them of studying the 

 life-history of such interesting creatures as the frog, the 

 toad, and the newt. 



A few words regarding the Fish to be found in the 

 locality may fittingly close this chapter. Fish are 

 naturally scarce in the environs of Craigmillar, in 

 consequence of the absence of any appreciable extent 

 of unpolluted water. Trout are found in the Braid 

 Burn, and the brook south of the castle used to be 

 the habitat of a considerable number ; but the pollu- 

 tion from oil and shale works has practically destroyed 

 them. Duddingston Loch contains pike, perch, and 



