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Part III. — Ninth Annual Ec]port 
being blocked with a large rock in the middle. The depth varies from 
1 foot to 2J fathoms, with 6 fathoms immediately inside the islet. 
(3) Korth-east arm. This is about the same length as Linne Mhuirich, 
but its area is only about half that of the latter. Its long and narrow 
neck has a depth of 1 to 2 fathoms, and inside the depth ranges from \ to 
6 fathoms. It is a protected stretch of water. 
(4) Sailean Mor, or the head of the loch, is exposed to south-west and 
west-sou th-Avest winds. The bottom, which is chiefly muddy, attains a 
depth of as much as 13 fathoms ; like Loch Killisport, the disadvantage 
of south-westerly gales makes this portion of the loch unsuitable. 
(5) Kilmichael Inverlussa Bay, is sheltered from the prevailing 
south-west winds by Eilean Lon. About half the length of Linne 
Mhuirich, it has a greater breadth and depth. Inside Eilean Lon there is 
13 fathoms, but at the upper end the water is about 3 fathoms deep, and 
very shallow at Achnamara. The bottom opposite the manse is of mud. 
Of the branches of Loch Swen the most promising is Linne Mhuirich, 
and there I obtained abundance of oysters in water 6 to 12 inches deep 
at low water. 
West Loch Tarhe7% in Kintyre, is 8 miles long, and is almost for its 
whole length protected from south-west and other winds. It is a very 
shallow loch, with a very small rise of tide, 1 to 4 feet, but the tides are 
very irregular. It trends east-north-east, opening to the westward. The 
average depth is a little over 3 fathoms, the 5-fathom line only ex- 
tending up half the length of the loch to opposite Whitehouse. The 
bottom is of shells, shingle, sand, and mud. There are several awash 
rocks and islets. From Carrick Point, a little way below the steamboat 
pier, to Kilnacraig the loch is held by Messrs Hay & Co. under a Fishery 
Order granted in 1888. This is all in the upper half of the loch, and at 
Rhu the lessees have built a small pond with a bottom of sand, in which 
Arenicola casts are thrown up. On the east side of Corran Point the 
ground is made up of shelly sand, with Zostera marina in abundance. At 
this place, opposite Loup, the tide ebbs for nearly one-third of a mile, 
leaving a bare sandy beach. The central depression of the loch is filled 
with mud, as also is the head of the loch, and sand and mud are found 
over the whole extent of Hay's Bed. West Loch Tarbert physically is 
one of the most suitable localities foi* rearing oysters. 
Loch Ryan runs north and south, opens to the north, and is about 7 
miles long. The loch is open and exposed below^ Cairn Eyan, which is 
situated nearly midway from the mouth. The Spit is a bank running up 
the loch from the Scar of Kirkholm Point, nearly opposite the lighthouse 
of Cairn Ryan. At low w^ater The Spit is 6 feet high in the middle, and 
protects the bay opposite Kirkholm, known as The Wig. The upper 
half, therefore, of the loch is well protected, and, except at Cairn Pool, 
does not exceed a depth of 5 fathoms at low springs ; the average depth 
is a little over 2 fathoms. So far, therefore, as regards depth of water 
and sheltered situation. Loch Ryan is admirably fitted for oyster culture. 
Sand predominates on the bottom, intermixed with mud and gravel, the 
whole presenting a sufficiently hard stratum for oysters to rest on. It is 
regularly fished for oysters by Sir William Wallace of Cairn Ryan, who 
employs three smacks in dredging and in transferring oysters from the 
Rosebank and Lochnoll side to the opposite or Wig shore. In the Loch 
I got plenty of oysters. 
Loch Tarhert {Jura) is 3 to 4 miles long, and opens to the west-north- 
west. The loch is exposed at the mouth, but Gleann Righ Islands are a 
partial protection to the two baylets of Gleann Righ Mor and Gleann 
Righ Beag. Above Gleann Righ Beag the fairway is very narrow, and 
the upper part is protected by numerous rocks and islets. A charac- 
