^44* Extracts from Dr liVvhhevi^ Description 
wild, the peninsula is broken on each side into steep precrpides> 
exhibiting now and then a gaping chasm, through which' the 
sea struggles, while numerous stacks rise from the surface of a 
turbulent ocean,- — the waves beating around them in angry and 
tumultuous roar. This is a great station for the ling fishery, 
which commences in the middle of May, and ends on the 12th 
of August. When any fishermen resort, for the first time, to a 
convenient place of this kind, they are allowed by the law to 
build for themselves huts, on any site which may be uninclosed, 
uncultivated, and at a distance of not more than 100 yards from 
the high water-mark. These are constructed of rude stones, 
without any cement, being made no larger than is sufficient to 
contain a six-oared boafs crew. The men form the roof of 
thin pieces of wood, on which they lay turf ; — they then strew a 
little straw upon the ground, and snatch from their severe la- 
bours a short repose. On the narrow isthmus of low marshy 
land, that connects the peninsula of Feideland to the Mainland, 
is interspersed, with all the disorder of a gypsey encampment, 
a number of these savage huts named summer lodges^ and in the 
centre of them is a substantial booth, used by a factor for curing 
fish. Here I met with excellent accommodation, owing to the 
kindness of Mr Hoseason, who had sent from his house at Loch- 
end every refreshment I might need, together with a comfort- 
able bed for the evening. Feideland is a place possessing no 
little interest; a remarkably busy scene is presented by the 
numerous crews sailing to the Haaf, or returning from it laden 
with fish ; — some men are busily engaged in weighing the stock 
of ling, cod and tusk, as it is brought* in to the factors ; others 
in spreading their lines on the rocks to dry, or in cooking vic- 
tuals for their comrades who may be employed on the haddock 
grounds,^ or in brushing, splitting and salting the fish that are 
brought to the door of the booth. But to the naturalist, Feide- 
land presents attractions of no mean kind ; the numerous rare 
marine productions that are continually drawn up by the lines 
of the fishermen, which a small perquisite might induce them to 
preserve and bring to the shore, would richly repay him for 
lingering several days in such a station. 
I shall now take an opportunity of giving an account of the 
Ling Fishery, as it is prosecuted at the Haaf, 
