334 The Naturalist of C umbrae. 



to it, is shown by a story now current of a school - 

 inspector who was examining a class in zoology. 

 After various more or less fruitless inquiries, he said, 

 " Now, any of you, mention an animal." There was a 

 long pause, and then a boy with a diffident drawl 

 instanced " a worm." " Yes," said the inspector, " that 

 is an animal. Can any one mention another animal?" 

 A still longer pause ensued, and at length a boy 

 solemnly suggested "Another worm" 



Had David Robertson been, not to say the master 

 of the class in question or of the school referred to, 

 but even living anywhere within a radius of five or 

 six miles of it, it is safe to predict that the story 

 would not have originated in connection with that 

 neighbourhood. 



The following little narrative seems to me pleasantly 

 to illustrate as well the simplicity of his character 

 as the friendliness of his dealing with young folks. 

 Before perusing it the reader may exercise his own 

 ingenuity in imagining what real object of natural 

 history a small child would be likely to designate as 

 a flying serpent 



" Often on my excursions," Mr. Robertson says, " I 

 take some one with me as guide, generally a boy, as 

 boys are mostly more familiar with the lakes, tarns, 

 and ponds in their neighbourhood than older heads, 

 and, when they come to understand your pursuit, if 

 you go into conversation with them, they are sure to 

 have some marvellous tale or adventure to relate, and 

 if these do not further your purpose, they are amusing. 



"On one occasion, on my way to Lochmaben, I 

 went by Dumfries, where I wished to have an hour's 



