88 
ANIMAL LIFE ON THE 
for the poetic fancy to revel in. Across the placid waters 
of the loch, little more than a mile away, the southern end 
of the mountain range that divides these waters from Loch 
Long lifts it broad shoulders and beetling crags to the sky 
line in a coat of lovely green. From the hazel bowers 
clustering at its feet comes the sonorous voice of the cuckoo, 
echoing across the still waters with clear and distinct tones ; 
but clearer still, from the mountain side above, comes the 
shrill bark of the sheep-dog, and the correcting voice of his 
master directing him in - his work amongst the bleating 
flocks. This particular spot bears the name of 
''THE DUKE OF ARGYLL'S BOWLING-GREEN,'' 
but how the appellation originated is something of an 
enigma. Hugh M'Donald characterises it as "a stroke of 
quiet Celtic humour," which may be understood if, in con- 
tradistinction, the towering crags and green knolls are as a 
bowling-green, compared to the many other stupendous 
mountain ranges laid claim to by that favoured son of 
Adam's race. 
The shores of the loch are narrow, often jutting round 
precipitous crags into water dipping many fathoms deep; 
but on the right of the castle the beach stretches out to a 
beautiful little sandbank, and here let us begin our 
operations. The surface of the water is as smooth as a sea 
of glass, affording us a good chance of eschewing for a time 
our fishing stocking and wading process, and betaking 
ourselves to a suitable small boat, which is here to be had 
on hire, and over the gunwale of which we can recline and 
observe what is going on below. But on our way, what is 
this we pick up on the lip of the tide; a specimen of the 
mrcinus mcenus or common green crab. The creature seems 
entire in body and limbs, but shows no signs of life. Placing 
