90 The Price of Solan Geese from the Bass, by Mr. Romanes. 



"At Invery, Saynct Monane 

 That of that cumpany was ane 

 Chesyd hym sa nere the se 

 Til lede hys lyf : there endyt he." 



(B., vi , c. xiii.) 



The " Ocean Cave " of St. Rule at St. Andrews has been 

 sung by the great minstrel of our land ; but it is only in 

 recent days (and mostly through the research of the late 

 lamented Sir James Simpson), that several groups of such 

 caves on the coast of Fife have been also identified as the 

 retreats of religious men. These occur at East Wemyss, a 

 few miles east from Dysart, at Caiplie, and at Fifeness. 

 They are of great interest, and would amply repay a visit of 

 the Society if it should extend its sphere occasionally beyond 

 the limits of Bernicia. Many of them have crosses cut on 

 their rocky walls, along with (in some cases) the mysterious 

 " symbols " which are peculiar to the sculptured monuments 

 of Pictland. 



The later history of the Bass is mainly concerned with it 

 as a fortress and a prison. But as it has been often told, I 

 do not here enter on it. 



Excerpts from the Books of John, Duke of Lauderdale, 

 respecting the Price of Solan Geese, from 1674 to 1678. 

 Communicated by Robert Romanes. 



The Bass. — John Earl, afterwards Duke, of Lauderdale, was 

 in 1671, March 3rd, Captain of the Bass ; 

 „ Aug. 21st, Keeper of the Bass ; and 

 „ Sept. 7th, Governor of the Bass. 



1674. " By pryce of Sollen-Geese of the Bass, 1674. The 

 accomptant charges himself with the pryce of 1118 

 Sollen-Geese, sold for lib. 8s. 4d. each score, p. contract 

 accordinglie, dated 10 June, 1674, £79 3s. lOd. sterling." 



" To the climber of the Bass in full of his fee, waige, 

 and allowance for the year and season 1674, and for 

 some other small necessaries and charges that year, p. 

 discharge upon the back of the contract accordinglie, 

 £11 12s. 2d. sterling." 



