NOTES ON THE MICRO-FAUNA OF AILSA CRAIG, FIRTH OF CLYDE. 155 
I have already stated, however, that my chief purpose for going 
ashore was to ascertain if there were any land or fresh-water 
Crustacea on the island, and, if so, what kinds they were. | On 
my previous visit, I had examined some pools of water at the foot 
of the southern cliffs, but had only found the worm-like larve of 
insects in myriads—no Entomostraca were observed ; indeed, had 
an Entomostracan happened to get into any of these pools, it 
would, no doubt, among such a ravenous crowd, have met with a 
short shrift. None of these pools was examined on our last 
visit, as it was considered that an attempt should rather be made 
to reach the so-called Garry Loch, which is situated fully midway 
up towards the top of the Craig, and therefore, acting on the 
instructions of the lighthouse keepers, whom we found most 
obliging, we selected the pathway that leads in a slanting direction 
up to the “Castle,” as being, so far, the safest and most easy 
towards our goal. On reaching the sort of plateau on which the 
castle stands, a well in the vicinity of the castle was examined, 
but no Entomostraca were observed in it; the water was clear and 
cool, and almost devoid of animal life—at least such as could be 
seen witha handlens. After a look at the old castle—near which, 
by the way, was a luxuriant bed of Wild Hyacinths in full bloom, 
a few of the flowers being pure white—we proceeded to the 
Garry Loch; and if the climb up to the castle was stiff, the path 
(if it could be called so) from thence to the loch was more so. We 
proceeded by what appeared to be the most direct route, but, 
whether it may have been so or not, we soon found that it was a 
rough road to travel. On reaching our destination, however, we 
considered ourselves repaid for all the trouble we had experienced 
in getting toit. The “Loch” occupies a nook which is surrounded 
on all sides, except the north, or north-east, by grassy and mossy 
banks, and only required a few bushy trees to be a typical 
“fairy dell.” A large portion of the hollow is now filled up 
(forming a carpet soft and restful for the weary foot), and the loch 
is consequently reduced, especially in summer, to very small 
dimensions. The Marsh Marigolds referred to by Mr. Lawson 
were, at the time of our visit, in considerable abundance, and their 
golden flowers, which in the genial sunshine had expanded to 
their fullest extent, made the scene, though limited, very gay. It 
would apvear that the loch was originally comparatively deep, for 
