262 LISMORE. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



of Mull retiring in distant perspective to the westward, 

 succeeded by the high and bold mass of Scarba, and the 

 fainter tints of the cones of Jura. Rocks and islands 

 which cannot be counted, checquer the magnificent extent 

 of sea included in this circle ; which is enlivened by the 

 perpetual appearance of ships entering the bay, or navi- 

 gating the Linnhe Loch and the sound of Mull. The 

 historical interest excited by the castles of Duart, Dun- 

 nolly, DunstafTnage, and others which are visible from 

 this station, complete a scene which has not a parallel in 

 the whole range of this variegated and picturesque coast. 

 Though the geologist will find little to reward him, in his 

 particular pursuit, he will not regret a summer's day spent 

 on the wild thyme and the grey rocks of Lismore.* 



The population of this island is proportioned to its 

 fertility : even in ancient times it was celebrated for both. 

 Hence, a number of ecclesiastical and castellated remains 

 are to be -seen, far too insignificant at present to require 



* At the western extremity of this island are some rocks separated at 

 low water, where the cattle may be daily observed resorting; quitting the 

 fertile pastures to feed on sea weed. It has erroneously been supposed 

 that this practice, as well as the eating offish, was the result of hunger. 

 It appears, on the contrary, to be the effect of choice, in cattle as well 

 as in sheep that have once found access to this diet. The accuracy 

 with which they attend to the diurnal variations of the tide is very 

 remarkable; calculating the times of the ebb with such nicety that 

 they are seldom mistaken even when they have some miles to walk to 

 the beach. In the same way they always secure their retreat from these 

 chosen spots in such a manner as never to be surprised and drowned by 

 the returning tide. With respect to fish, it is equally certain that they 

 often prefer it to their best pastures. It is not less remarkable that the 

 horses of Shetland eat fish from choice, and that the dogs brought up on 

 these shores continue to prefer it to all other diet, even after a long 

 absence. The feeding of cattle with fish is a practice well known in 

 Canada, and it is recorded on the authority of Herodotus that the 

 inhabitants of the lake Prasias fed their horses and cattle on fish. This 

 fact oners to physiologists a singular example of the accommodating 

 powers of the stomach of these animals, and of the convertibility of their 

 natural instincts. 



