-, 7 5 [ pr0c - B.N.F.C, 



Columba, but, according to the Four Masters, was founded by St. 

 Ernan. It is to be regretted that the single arch described as 

 standing in 1845 by Getty has entirely disappeared. 



Further to the west on the outskirts of West Town stands the 

 Murrisher, or Church of the Seven. Of this small building, which 

 stands on a kind of platform, little remains except the western 

 gable. Its walls are three feet in thickness, and internally it 

 measures about eleven by eight feet. At the east end a rough 

 stone altar is built, but this shows some slight evidence of more 

 modern work than the rest of the building, which may date from 

 the sixth century. A short distance from the Murrisher is the 

 Nun's Grave, about which many strange traditions are told. A 

 little soil from the grave is still carried in each fishing boat setting 

 out from West Town as a protection from shipwreck. Near the 

 western end of the island are a number of very ancient graves. 

 One, from which the surrounding mound of earth had weathered, 

 showed a stone coffin or kistvaen. 



The day passed all too quickly for the band of industrious 

 naturalists on the island. Punctually at 5.15 p.m. the last boat- 

 load was rowed to the steamer, which lay out amid the mists. 

 Here tea was waiting, and was thoroughly enjoyed as the steamer 

 cautiously felt its way to the mainland. The mists gradually grew 

 denser, and when land was at last sighted it was not possible to 

 locate accurately the position of the vessel. The anchor was cast 

 and all made ready for a night at sea. The experience was not, 

 indeed, an unpleasant one. The steamer lay in perfect calm, in a 

 land-locked bay, well out of the track of other vessels, and the 

 night was warm, so that danger and discomfort were reduced to a 

 minimum. Supper was served about ten o'clock. Many of the 

 party sought sleep in such comfort as could be found below, while 

 the blither spirits organised a delightful impromptu smoking 

 concert on the upper deck. 



In the " wee sma' oors ayont the twal " the concert ended, 

 and nothing was heard save the faint lip-lipping of the water against 



