475 
of Edinburgh, Session 1868 - 69 . 
deviations from optical rectitude, because I do not see how recog- 
nised theory will explain them all. But I may venture to suggest 
that such instances of mirage in our Firth and elsewhere may 
deserve attention as possible prognostics of weather. On the 
occasion in question there were evident signs of a widely extended 
disturbance of the usual condition of the atmosphere ; and the 
occurrence of a violent thunderstorm afterwards, which lasted far 
into the evening, is not unworthy of notice. 
Often as I have been at Barnbougle Castle in beautiful summer 
afternoons, and often as I have been on the shores of the Firth 
in all parts, as well as on its waters, I never happened to notice 
any mirage before. Subsequently, however,' — I do not recollect 
from what position, but I rather think from Leith Pier, — I observed 
that Aberlady Bay seemed to lead to a strait with perpendicular 
cliffs on either side, the promontory on which Glosford, Dirleton, 
G-ullane, and North Berwick stand, being converted into a beautiful 
and extensive island; and the illusion was rendered complete by a 
vessel under full sail bearing to all appearance directly for the 
mouth of the imaginary strait. 
My son also informs me that on another occasion he observed 
with the naked eye, but still better with the aid of a telescope, 
from Leith Pier, the same promontory cut into eight or ten islands, 
apparently reflected in an apparently calm sea, which joined by 
a well-defined margin the real sea itself, much disturbed at the 
time by a brisk breeze. The appearance of these islands, as 
seen through the telescope, was exceedingly beautiful, as they 
seemed to be clothed with fine trees, and, reflected in the calm 
ocean, were suggestive rather of a tropical than a northern scene. 
It is probable that such appearances are not infrequent — -so 
frequent, at least, as to give adequate opportunities for studying 
them ; and that w r e do not hear of them merely from inobservance ; 
for my son adds that, although many people, sailors as well as 
others, were walking on the pier at the time, not one seemed to 
take notice of the remarkable phenomena, which strongly attracted 
his attention and that of his brother who accompanied him. 
