1911-1912.] A Mid' Lothian Burn, 387 



source (Plate XXX., Fig. 1). We count it something to be 

 witnesses, so to speak, of the birth of one of Nature's activi- 

 ties. We are looking at the spring from which flows the 

 water that after many a winding, and living a life all its 

 own, will at last lose itself in joining a larger river on its 

 way with a contribution to the great ocean. Here, surely, 

 is a parable of life. 



It is a small stream which we follow, losing itself at times 

 in the grass, and then peeping out as if to lure us on. After 

 travelling some distance we reach a dry water-course which 

 gives evidence that, at times, its addition to the burn will 

 be no mean one. Shortly after the junction our streamlet 

 makes a sudden dash for lower ground, and at this point 

 has all the characteristics of a hill burn. Soon is reached 

 a comparatively flat bit of country, through which it flows 

 in extraordinarily tortuous lines. From this point the burn 

 lazily finds its way through pasture-land, though its stony 

 bed indicates that in flood - time there will be no lack of 

 life and bustle. 



We may here say that our course leads in succession 

 through the estates of Ormiston, Linburn, Hatton, Dalmahoy, 

 to mention only a few, before the final stage is reached. 



Our burn is a shy burn, and in its modesty never seeks 

 to obtrude itself. It chooses a quiet and retired path, 

 and nothing seems to delight it more than to hide itself 

 in a thick undergrowth of grass, tree, and shrub, and 

 there it asks us to follow if we can. But we anticipate 

 too much. 



We trace its movements through a wood which to-day is 

 charming in its colouring and play of light. In a short while 

 we come to a small pond, and from the character of its 

 surroundings we jokingly refer to it as the " lagoon," and 

 recall the stories of our boyhood days about West African 

 pirates and their doings in the mangroves. From this pond 

 it escapes and makes another rush for lower ground, where, 

 for the first time, it flows through cultivated fields. Here 

 there is nothing particularly interesting to observe, but some- 

 how in its babbling we always seem to hear such an in- 

 vitation as — " Come with me, and I shall yet show you my 

 beauty." And so in the spirit of hope we follow on. Nor 



