lilCH PASTURE. 421 



tous, and the resort of eagles and birds of prey of all 

 sorts. The form of these hills is perfectly conical, and 

 their elevation so abrupt, that for a considerable way from 

 their tops no verdure is to be seen ; in fact, they consist 

 chiefly of masses of loose stone. Their height is about 

 2,500 feet above the level of the sea, which washes their 

 base. The view from the top of these hills is very ex- 

 tensive, for, when the atmosphere is clear, the Isle of Man 

 and the Isle of Skye are both visible. This island is 

 surrounded by strong tides ; on the south is the rapid 

 stream of the sound of Islay ; and on the north the famous 

 whirlpool of Corrivrechan. The stock consists almost 

 entirely of sheep. The number of deer are estimated at 

 about five hundred. They have the whole range of the 

 island, and thus wander from one end of it to the other. As 

 there are but few inhabitants (scarcely a thousand souls), 

 they arc seldom disturbed, and have of late years greatly 

 increased. 



From the contiguity of the sea, snow seldom lies for 

 any length of time on these islands ; and as the deer often 

 frequent the shore, and are excessively fond of the sea 

 ware, on which they feed even in summer, they are never 

 altogether deprived of food, and are, consequently, much 

 better able to endure the rigours of winter than those in a 

 more inland situation. 



The pasture in many of the valleys which intersect the 

 island is very rich ; and though there is but little brush- 

 wood, yet, from the excellence of the soil, great beds of 

 fern are to be met with, growing to the height of six feet, 

 in which the deer take refuge from the flies and the heat 

 of the sun. 



3 



