HOW TO COLLECT, AND STOCK THE TANK. 171 



the burglar's walking-stick on his shoulders, as my 

 companion through any sea-side place. I have little 

 doubt that a party so equipped would excite no small 

 surprise at, for instance, Portobello ! Depend upon 

 it, Mr Policeman, if he could be found, would get a 

 hint from some lazy promenader to ask us a few 

 questions on our return perhaps search our basket 

 perhaps get his fingers nipped for his pains by some 

 irascible crab. 



I may here observe that, to country folk in general, 

 a naturalist, ardently pursuing his studies on the sea- 

 shore, is looked upon as a madman. Dr Lands- 

 borough narrates an anecdote relative to this subject, 

 in his " Excursions to Arran," with such a rich vein of 

 humour, that I cannot refrain from quoting it entire. 



"Meeting a Highlander, who had been angling 

 like himself, the Doctor (Dr Connel) invited him to 

 partake from good cheer which he had brought in his 

 pocket. During the repast the Highlander said to 

 him, 'Ye '11 no belang to this place V ' No,' said 

 Dr Connel, ' I do not.' i Ye '11 be frae Ayrshire or 

 Greenock maybe?' ' No,' was the reply. ' Ye '11 be 

 mair to the eastward ; frae Edinburgh, or maybe frae 

 Glasgow?' 'Yes,' said the Doctor, 'I generally live 

 in Glasgow.' ' It 's a big town Glasgow; I haebeen 

 ance there mysel. Ye '11 never hae been in this place 

 afore?' '0 yes, I have often been in Arran. I 

 spent some time in it last year.' 'And where are 



ye staying noo, if ye please ?' ' I am staying at .' 



' I ken the place ; ye '11 never hae stayed there 



