VOL. XII.5 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 41 f 



SO many as they leave to attend their little- boat, which is commonly of six 

 oars. 



If there be any strangers, as many go from the nearest islands in summer, 

 they must be tied about the middle with a strong rope; and when the men of 

 Hirta have climbed up to the top of the rock, which is above 24 fathoms, be- 

 fore they set their foot on grass, they haul up the strangers to them with the 

 ropes. When they have gathered as many eggs, and killed as many fowls as 

 will load their boat, they lower all down into the boat, and the ablest fellow is 

 always left behind, who, having none to help him, must throw himself into 

 the sea, and so recover the boat. Burra lies from Hirta about six miles north- 

 ward. 



- Soa lies near Hirta, on the south-west. In this, except fowls, there is no- 

 thing remarkable but a creek, frequented by large seals. The people are sq 

 daring, that they go in their boat, about four of them, in that narrow passage, 

 to kill these seals with poles, having scarcely room for their oars, and every 

 where seeming to close up the mouth of the passage. If the wind change 

 during their being there, it is not possible to save man or boat. There are se- 

 veral rocks rising out of the sea amongst these islands, which the people of 

 Hirta call stacks: some 10, 20, or 24 fathoms above water, without any grass 

 upon them. On the round tops of the rocks a great number of fowls breed, 

 and in all the cliffs. Among the rest there is one called Stacka Donna, on the 

 top of which breeds such an abundance of fowls, that though it seems inac- 

 cessible, yet the men of Hirta have ventured to go thither. After they have 

 landed with much difficulty, a man having room but for one of his feet, he 

 must climb up 12 or 16 fathoms high. He then comes to a place, where having 

 but room for his left foot and left hand, he must leap from thence to such an- 

 other place before him ; which, if he hit right, the rest of the ascent is easy, 

 and with a small cord, which he carries with him, he hauls up a rope, by which 

 all the rest come up. But if he misses that footstep, as often happens, he falls 

 into the sea, and the rest draw him by the small cord. After sitting still till 

 he be a little refreshed, he then tries it again ; for every one there is not able to 

 undertake it. 



Hirta island is 2 miles in length, accounted Five-penny-land. In it are 10 

 families. The men seldom grow old; and seldom was it ever known that any 

 man died in his bed there, but was either drowned or broke his neck. The 

 men are strong, large, and well complexioned. Their food is only young 

 fowls and eggs; their drink whey and water. They are much given to keeping 

 of holy days, having a number of little chapels, where sometimes they watch 

 whole nights, making merry together with their offerings. 



VOL. II. 3 H 



