26 



THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 



[February 



looking for male specimens for years." By observation I was also able to 

 verify the statement of Mr. Newstead to the effect, that in the Chionaspina3 

 apterous as well as winged specimens may be found. It must be 

 remembered that the males do not possess any kind of mouth or feeding 

 organs whatever, and only live from three days to about a week, but they 

 have during that short space of time attained the sole object of their 

 existence, the perpetuation of their species. The genitoires are large in 

 proportion to the size of the insect, varying from about one-third to half 

 the length of the whole insect. We here see the adaptation to environ- 

 ment in the abnormal development of the gentalia requisite, considering 

 that the female is stationary and helpless, and covered with a shell, while 

 we note in her the absence of eyes and legs, both useless under an opaque 

 shell. Here we have a beautiful illustration of the elaboration of one part 

 and the degeneration of others. 



SULE SKERRY, ORKNEY ISLANDS. 



BY GEORGE ELLISON. 



A Paper read before the Warrington Field Club. 

 ( Continued from page 



Harold, incensed at their audacity, resolved to subject the Orkneys 

 also to his sway, which he speedily did ; we are thus able to trace 

 the present race of people, which, strictly speaking, is Scandinavian, who, 

 I may remark, are a fine, strong, and kind-hearted people, their chief 

 industry being the cultivation of the land and fishing, in which the strongest 

 are engaged. It would really surprise you to see it so well cultivated, and j 

 to note numerous cattle grazing on its sweet but stunted verdure. You see 

 no trees, with the exception of those planted in some gardens; but in 

 the large tracts of moss the remains of trees are frequently found, and 

 clearly show that at some early period woods have abounded there. 

 Such is a rapid preliminary sketch of the Orkneys and the attractions 

 which await the tourist. 



Stromness derives its name from Strom (a stream) and Ness (a point 

 or promontory), the Ness being seen in the tongue of land which runs 

 out on the southern side of the bay, and the Strom in Hoy Sound which 

 rushes past along its shore. In spite of its grey, antique look, it is compara- 

 tively a modern town. In the beginning of the last century it was a small 

 fishing village, consisting of a few scattered huts, the town owing its rapid 

 rise to its convenient position and fine harbour. At one time it became a 

 place of regular call for vessels of all nations trading between the North 



