Report of the Meetings for 1895. 223 



Heath), and Polyommatus Alexis (Common Blue.) Finer species 

 somewhat later frequent the fields near the moor and 

 plantation edges more to the north, such as Argynnis Aglaia 

 and MelitcBtt Artemis. 



From the apex of the hill, which we now descend, one 

 of the best views is obtainable of what is perhaps the most 

 picturesque prospect on the Berwickshire rock-guarded coast. 

 St. Abbs, much lower in position, with its green irregular 

 surface extended on a slope bounded seawards by bulging 

 promontories, lies to the east. Interrupted at Petticowick, 

 the rocks again rise to attain their highest eminence, cul- 

 minating in Earnsheugh, and thence continue till they turn 

 the formidable cliffs over which Fastcastle frowns in solitary 

 and desolate grandeur, and 



" eternally 

 Holds its blind visage out to the lone sea." 



Especially to-day the scene is impressive. The deep water 

 bay beneath is darkened by a thunder-cloud in the west to 

 an inky hue, and the passing herring boats, with full-set 

 sails, are dipping into the shadows when they tack. A white 

 stream of sea-gulls that had been washing in the loch, 

 disturbed by the advent of the visitors, who are now 

 arriving, pour over the cliffs into the lurid waters and 

 disappear from view. 



A few of the place-names are indicative of a past, but 

 forgotten, age. The small oozing outlet, that forms a strype 

 from the loch till it trickles over the sea-banks, is called the 

 Uily Strynde. Strynde is a word used by Gawin Douglas, 

 which, unhappily, the Ordnance Survey has converted into 

 Strand. The epithet Uily (Oily) is owing to the glitty scum 

 that persistently floats on the surface. The name is preserved 

 also in the Uily Strynde bank and heugh, over which the 

 stream is precipitated, which lies on the eastern side. The 

 western and still more elevated rocky face presents a fine 

 transverse section of the stratified greywacke. It is rent 

 from bottom to top by an open fissure. The rock is the 

 Snuffhole Heugh, and its grassy summit the Snuffhole Brae. 

 It is just possible that smuggled snuff, for like tobacco 

 it was exciseable, was concealed here in times not far gone 

 by. The detached rock adjacent to the point is the Snuff- 

 hole Stells. Stells are deep pools connected with the Salmon 



