of the Fishery Board, for Scotland. 



177 



In some cases the shores were gravelly and destitute of vegetation ; in 

 others there was an abundance of green, slimy weed, which it was almost 

 impossible to avoid with the hand-net. In the * Clay Loch,' which is 

 destitute of vegetation and shallow, masses of Diatoms were found near 

 the shore, specimens of which were collected. 



Pond op Gardiesfauld. 



The Messrs Sandison, merchants, Uyasound, stocked a small pond near 

 their houses and business premises. The trout throve and multiplied, 

 and for a time afforded good sport to their owners ; but they were at last 

 discovered by cormorants, and as the pond was shallow and shelterless, 

 the fish fell a ready prey to them. Some of these birds, on being dis- 

 turbed during their fishing operations, . have here disgorged in their alarm 

 trout weighing over 1 lb. Copepods were very abundant in this pond. 



Second. — Lochs on the Island of Whalsay. 



Loch of Sandwick. 



This loch lies near the S.W. end of Whalsay, not far above the sea- 

 level. It is of moderate size and depth, and contains a rank vegetation. 

 It was dark when this loch was visited (21st August), but the hand-net 

 brought ashore a large number of animalculse in a short time. 



Loch of Huxter. 



This is the largest loch in Whalsay, being from one-half to two-thirds of a 

 mile long and one-third of a mile broad. It lies about 100 feet above the sea- 

 level, and is said to be 6 or 8 fathoms deep in the centre. Rough boulders line 

 the shores, and vegetation is scanty. A boat was obtained, and the hand-net 

 used freely among some aquatic plants growing near the south western 

 end of the loch, as well as round the western shore. There did not seem 

 to be great abundance of organisms in the loch, and no trout are found 

 in it. A small island near the east end of the loch contains the ruins of 

 a Pictish ' Brough'. There is a belief that trout are never found in 

 Shetland in lochs that have such ruins. It may be true, but one would 

 be inclined to look for the cause elsewhere than among the ruins. 



Looh of Livister. 



The Loch of Livister lies a little to the north of the Loch of Huxter, 

 and at a higher elevation. It is a small loch — scarcely a quarter of a mile 

 in length. When visited on 7th Sept., it was not under favourable con- 

 ditions : it was almost dark, with a strong, cold wind blowing, and this, no 

 doubt, interfered with the search. 



Bu Water. 



Bu Water was visited on 8th Sept., and is a small loch above Symbister 

 House. Lying at an altitude of upwards of 200 feet, it is almost entirely 

 dependent upon the rain for its supplies, and by the appearance of the 



