32 Our Visit to Holy Island in 1854, by Dr. Johnston. 



Dumontia filiformis was abundant ; and I noticed Alaria 

 esculenta, Punctaria plantaginea, Asperococcus echinatus, 

 &lc. Of the Mollusca none interested us so much as Eolis 

 papillosa. Not fewer than eight or ten large specimens were 

 seen, and under almost every flat stone there were wreaths 

 of its milk-white spawn. The locality is certainly the 

 metropolis of this species. In one instance we saw Purpura 

 lapillus feeding on this spawn ; and we also saw the 

 Purpura in the act of depositing its own egg-capsules. The 

 Chiton cinereus was very common, varying greatly in colour 

 and in size ; and we procured a single specimen of Chiton 

 fascicularis. The Annelides we gathered were Polynoe 

 cirrata, Sigalion boa, Nereis viridis, Phyllodoce viridis, 

 Psammathe fusca, and Cirratulus medusa. Of the Zoophytes 

 none equalled the common Actinia mesembryanthemum in 

 beauty, and it appeared under many disguises so far as 

 colour, size, and state of expansion were concerned. Frag- 

 ments of Alcyonidium hirsutum were common. 



To the south-east of the Coves there is a considerable 

 portion of shore covered with loose rocks and stones that are 

 perforated in a singular manner with the Saxicava rugosa, 

 Yenerupis perforans, and a saxicolous worm. This must have 

 been the work of many bj^e-gone years, for we could find 

 very few remains of the excavators. And so, well pleased 

 with our excursion, we turned homewards, walking along 

 the ledge of a series of sand-hills blown up by the winter 

 winds, covering a large space with hillocks many feet in 

 height. On former occasions I had found this space a bent- 

 covered warren. The sand was firm enough to support us 

 without yielding, and was perfectly bare of all herbage and 

 all life, save that a few small beetles and flies had ventured 

 upon the desert — one would have imagined to them illimit- 

 able. 



21st. In the churchyard there is a large and nearly perfect 

 fairy circle. The Church is cold, damp, and musty within ; 

 the walls covered with green mould, and " sclaters " were 

 crawling on the paved floor. The seats are unfitted for the 

 service, so much so, that neither male nor female can kneel 

 at any part of it. Every seat has a large brass plate on the 

 door, engraved with the name of its proprietor : and the 

 " Border Brewery " has three seats to its share. The 

 conduct of the service suited the Church ; there were no 

 responses made, and a very considerable proportion of the 



