1SG 



and round the coast. On the other hand, Brodick bay, Whiting 

 bay, and the vicinity of Pladda, have hitherto proved to be exceed- 

 ingly unprofitable. Loch Ranza, notwithstanding the apparent 

 advantage of its position, did not yield anything, after several hours 

 of active dredging in all parts of the bay, except the commonest 

 of the scallops, Pecten opercularis an excellent bait for fishermen, 

 and which may be procured here in any quantity. The strait which 

 separates Arran from Argyllshire, known as Kilbrannan Sound, will 

 probably yield richer results than other parts of the Clyde ; but 

 these waters have not yet been sufficiently examined to warrant 

 more than a conjectural opinion. The south end, and the south- 

 east side, of Holy Island are also unprofitable. 



It must not be expected that the rarer molluscous animals or shells 

 may be obtained from the pools, or from the sands, or rocks, forming 

 the coast-line. Yet an attentive investigation will not be without 

 its reward. In the vicinity of Clachland Point, where the excavated 

 sandstone affords numerous places of retreat, and where each return- 

 ing tide supplies the wants of the tenants, a variety of creatures may 

 be seen grouped together in quest of the enjoyments of life. Let 

 the crevices be carefully searched turn over the fronds of the sea- 

 weeds capsize the loose stones look under the ledges of the rocks 

 select a calm day, during the spring tide, when the water has ebbed 

 to the lowest and there will not be any need, at least for the 

 young student, to complain of the result. A curious mollusc 

 inhabits this station Aplysia, hybrida, or the sea hare, which 

 will be recognized, whilst in a state of activity, by the peculiar shape 

 of its antennae ; for these, when expanded, are something like the 

 erect ears of the common hare. Another mollusc, found upon the 

 shore, and not without pretensions to respect, as well from its lovely 

 orange colour, as from the gracefulness with which it moves, is the 

 Pleurobranchus, which, being nocturnal in its habits, may be caught 

 napping at the period most convenient to its captor. It is a good 

 object for the vivarium, where, lying concealed during the day, it 

 will be observed, at midnight, traversing the tank, like a solitary 

 watchman on his rounds ; but, unlike the guardian of our streets, its 

 purpose is not to defend property, but to appropriate to its own use 

 without fear of detection, whatever it may regard as palatable to 

 its taste, or requisite for its necessities. Both the Pleiirobranchus 

 and the Aplysia may be procured from pools at the north end 

 of Holy Island. At Lamlash, in the neighbourhood of the old 

 quay, the blocks of sandstone, which He scattered in all directions, 

 contain, here and there, good specimens of one of the bor&rs a 



