370 The Upper Elf Loch, Braids. ‘[Sess. 
October last to the beginning of February in the present year, 
was abnormally mild. According to Mr R. C. Mossman, on 
the 16th of October 1897 one of the most noteworthy bursts 
of autumnal warmth ever recorded in Edinburgh set in. Mild 
weather continued to prevail throughout November; and 
although there was a cold “snap” in December, high tem- 
peratures again prevailed, continuing throughout January— 
the mean temperature of that month being 44°°6, or 78 in — 
excess of the average January temperature deduced from the 
records of the last 134 years. That the filling up of a con- 
siderable portion of the loch by aquatic vegetation was, to a 
large extent, due to these favourable weather conditions, there 
can be little doubt. Whether it may ever again assume its 
former dimensions is very doubtful; indeed, the silting-up 
process is more likely to go on apace. A very interesting 
view of the loch, from a photograph taken by Dr Davies in 
the spring of this year (1898), is here given, showing the 
erowth of vegetation at the north-west part. 
We looked forward with considerable interest to the effect 
of the past mild season on the inhabitants of the loch with 
the advent of spring; but by the beginning of February frost 
had set in, and at our visit on the 5th of that month the 
tarn was covered with a thick coating of ice, which had to be 
broken in order to permit of a gathering being made. Life, 
however, even under these adverse conditions, was found to 
be abundant. Hundreds of caddis-worms were busy con- 
structing their tiny dwellings; beetles and curious-looking 
larval forms were largely in evidence; entomostraca were 
particularly lively and numerous; while desmids and diatoms, 
with a few of the motile alge, were observed. That all had 
been stirred into unwonted animation by the mildness of the 
winter was very evident. 
Before leaving this February gathering, some interesting 
“finds” then made may be briefly referred to. The first was 
a Water Boatman (Notonecta glauca), which had attached to 
the hinder part of its body a large number of young ostracods 
(Cyclocypris serena). The problem remains whether these 
ostracods were parasitic at this stage, or whether they had 
become attached to the beetle accidentally. We are not 
aware of such a case having been recorded. Another curious 
