173 



MARINE ZOOLOGY OF ARRAN. 



109. THE coast-line of Arran abounds with objects of interest. 

 Nor is this interest confined to geological science. The naturalist 

 and especially the student of marine zoology will find here a field 

 for investigation ; and even the casual visitor, if endowed with the 

 faculty of inquisitiveness, may obtain instructive and amusing 

 occupation. 



Let it be understood that the waters of the sea, generally, teem 

 with animated beings of an endless variety in form, size, and struc- 

 * ture, and that myriads of these creatures are the inhabitants of 

 rock-pools, where they share the vicissitudes common to mortality 

 sporting, at one moment, in the full enjoyment of the pleasures of 

 life, and at another instant either wrangling or wrestling with an 

 antagonist perhaps for a mouthful of food or "scudding" with 

 all their might from the open jaws of an approaching and ravenous 

 enemy. 



We will suppose that we are now standing at Corriegills, on the 

 sea shore in Brodick bay, about one mile from Invercloy. The rocks 

 are of the red sandstone formation ; and the soft material, yielding 

 to the action of ceaseless tides, and to the lashing waves of the 

 winter storm, has been hewn in all directions into fissures and small 

 basins, which, renewed with fresh supplies of water by each return- 

 ing flood, are the " habitats" of plants and animals. Look into 

 these adjacent pools. They appear to be almost covered with tiny 

 sea-weeds. Yet the jungles of India are not more fully occupied 

 with their appropriate denizens than are these patches of the sea. 

 They abound with microscopic life, generated under the warmth of 

 the sun ; and, by stooping down and watching for an instant, you 

 will observe as much bustle, enterprise, and activity, with the usual 

 accompaniments of success and misfortune, as are characteristic of 

 an opulent city. The water at this moment is perfectly still. There 

 is not a breath of air to disturb its surface. But do you notice that 

 ripple ? Depend upon it there is some mischief not far off See ! 

 there is a prawn, or something like a prawn, swimming with the 



