NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Observations by a modern naturalist. 



ee Those who have been much upon our coasts 

 know that there are two different kinds of shores; 

 that which slants down to the water with a gen- 

 tle declivity, and that which rises with a precipi- 

 tate boldness, and seems set as a bulwark to repel 

 the force of the invading deeps. It is to such. 

 shores as these that the whole tribe of the gull- 

 kind resort, as the rocks offer them a retreat for 

 their young, and the sea a sufficient supply. It 

 is in the cavities of these rocks, of which the 

 shore is composed, that the vast variety of sea- 

 fowls retire to breed in safety. The waves be- 

 neath, that continually beat at the base, often 

 wear the shore into an impending boldness; so 

 that it seems to jut out over the water, while the 

 raging of the sea makes the place inaccessible 

 from below. These are the situations to which 

 sea-fowl chiefly resort, and bring up their young 

 in undisturbed security. 



" Those who have never observed our boldest 

 coasts have no idea of their tremendous subli- 

 mity. The boasted works of art, the highest 

 towers, and the noblest domes, are but ant-hills 

 when put in comparison : the single cavity of a 

 rock often exhibits a coping higher than the 

 ciehng of a gothic cathedral. The face of the 

 shore offers to the view a wall of massive stone; 

 ten times higher than our tallest steeples. What 

 should we think of a precipice three quarters of 

 a mile in height? And yet the rocks of St. Kilda 

 are still higher! What must be our awe to ap- 

 proach the edge of that impending height, and 



