TO ORKNEY AND SHETLAND. 47 



many sunken ones, which are extremely dangerous 

 from the small depth of water upon them. Any 

 one who has seen the place will have no hesita- 

 tion in predicting what would be the fate of the 

 crew of any boat that might unfortunately be upset 

 here. These rocks, especially the highest ones, 

 are well inhabited with the different species of 

 Gulls ; it is also a favourite place for seals, and is 

 well adapted to their habits, the numerous caverns 

 in the cliffs affording them situations wherein to 

 breed and lurk in perfect security. I here shot 

 several Gulls, some of which were excellent speci- 

 mens ; and I again visited this place for the pur- 

 pose of shooting seals, upon which occasion, when 

 we were about four miles from the mouth of the 

 voe, a strong breeze of wind sprung up from the 

 westward, the sea at the same time rising very 

 rapidly ; giving us sufficient warning to exert our- 

 selves, and endeavour to get into a place of secu- 

 rity as speedily as possible. For some time we 

 pulled in a direct line for Rona's Voe, but the 

 wind, which had sprung up very rapidly abeam, 

 obliged us to alter our course, as the water threat- 

 ened every moment to break into the boat ; we 

 therefore brought her head to the sea, intending, 

 with the assistance of the oars, to keep her in this 

 position, and weather out the gale. 



