SHORES OF THE CLYDE AND FIRTH. 
15 
A cannibalistic war is going on below ; the old ones are ^ 
endeavouring to devour the young, and the column is on its 
defence. From top to bottom the little things crowd to- ; 
gether and close up every spot where a head can fill the \ 
space; a solid front of heads bristle all around in as well j 
disciplined order as an army of trained bayonets, and as \ 
faithfully do the little things stick to their posts as the most \ 
valorous regiment of the British Army. The object of the | 
bigger ones is to break the column up. Furiously they dart I 
and dash in their attacks, but the column stands its 
ground, and if a breach is made, it is instantly filled up 
from within. Attack and defence is persisted in and steadily : 
maintained with doubtful certainty, but the ranks of the 
assailants greatly increase, and the column is hemmed in and j 
attacked from every point, still the little things maintain i 
their ground, and still the gaps of the fallen are as gallantly ; 
filled up. Suddenly, however, as if by word of command, a 
simultaneous rush is made all round, the ranks of the little ; 
things yield to the heavier body, the discipline of the 
column is broken, and a general scramble is made to the i 
surface in order to gain the safety of the shallower water of , 
the shore. For yards and yards around the retreat of the | 
little things is marked by their tracking the deep with an \ 
agitation similar in appearance and sound to the descent of i 
a heavy downpour of hail. 
Now begins the cannibalistic work of the larger ones, 
who devour and gorge themselves with dozens each of their j 
younger brethren. At this particular juncture the sea-gulls, j 
watching their opportunity, also dash down and feed upon ! 
them with avidity. At one such onslaught millions of the 
little things are devoured, and the prolificness of the race 'I 
alone saves them from total annihilation. , 
■1 
