the scanty crops of corn. These sheep are never taken under shelter during the winter season, and, when the ground is covered with snow, no food is provided for them; so that they are constrained to have recourse to sea-weed. It is curious to observe with what precision they leave the hills, and betake themselves to the sea-side, at the moment the tide of ebb commences. This I can state to be an absolute fact, although I am utterly unable to explain by what process of sensation or of instinct it is effected. From remaining quiet on the hills, and endeavouring to browse on theirsum mits, à whole flock is seen suddenly to run towards the sea-shore, and, on observing the state of the tide, it is found that the water has just begun to recede.'

Neither sheep nor cows are much celebrated for their sagacity; and yet we have been assured, on the most creditable testimony, that, in some parts of the north highlands of Scotland, herds of cattle have been observed to descend to the beach, as regularly as the tide begins to recede, although rising ground intercepted their view of the sea.

When threatened to be overwhelmed with snow, the Zetland sheep frequently assemble in considerable numbers on the side of a hill, and place themselves in such a manner [as] that their heads all incline towards the centre. By this arrange ment their breath keeps them warm, and, dissolving part of their icy covering, forms a kind of vault above their heads. In this situation they have been known to remain for many days, during which they appear to maintain life by eating the wool off each other's backs.'

Dr. Edmonston's observations on the diseases incident to the sheep of the Zetland islands would incline us to suppose that they are neither more numerous, nor more inveterate, than those which assail the ovine race in favoured climates. In softness aud fineness, their wool yields not to that of the Merino breed.

On the Mineralogy and local Scenery of certain Districts in the Highlands of Scotland. By Dr. Macknight. The range of Dr. Macknight's observations comprises an extensive and highly interesting tract of the alpine country of North Britain, particularly that portion of its highland scenery of which the striking features have been celebrated in a recent poem of deserved popularity. From the airy and enchanting visions of "The Lady of the Lake," our delicately nervous readers will reluctantly descend to meditate on a peculiar species of Conglomerate,' which prevails in the hilly districts to the north of Callender, and is composed of rounded and angular frag ments of quartz, mica-slate, clay-slate, green-stone, chlorite slate, drawing-slate, and other substances, in masses of various

sizes and forms, and agglutinated in a basis of clay which has a deep reddish colour from the iron it contains.' Such solid matters of fact, however, have their charms for those who are so constituted as to derive pleasure from a review of the works of nature as they really exist; and the present Reverend writer, though evidently a disciple of the Wernerian school, will not fatigue them with any unprofitable display of technical phraseology: his aim being rather to sketch the geological outlines of his landscapes, than minutely to enumerate and characterize their mineral contents; and, by the occasional introduction of sublime or picturesque imagery, to relieve the formality of scientific detail. As his remarks, however, extend to nearly a hundred pages, we can notice them only in this cursory manner; referring the curious to the paper for an account of Ben-Ledi, which rises to 3000 feet above the level of the sea, of the romantic scenery of Loch-Katterin, and particularly of Ben-Nevis, of which the mineralogical structure is here for the first time accurately characterized. As no unfavourable sample of the author's talents for description, we are tempted to extract the ensuing passage:

The great Ben-More, which resembles a vast irregular pyramid, standing obliquely on its base, presents its most abrupt and precipitous front to the south-west. On this side, its upper regions, naked and bare, refuse accommodation to every inhabitant, except the eagle; and in ascending from the mountain-valley which divides it from Binean, the fatigue of clambering over its steep and broken rocks, which exhibit no variety, was relieved by little that could interest the mind, but the solitary flight of the ptarmigan and his mate, whose greyish hues at this season, (August) finely harmonized with the colours of the decomposing stones.

As

We reached the summit in the afternoon. And here, it is not easy to imagine a view more truly striking than what we beheld, like a scene of enchantment, which the few last steps of our ascent had The wind had now died spread instantaneously before the eye. away into a gentle breeze; the sky was clear; and the weather defightful. In this state of the atmosphere, the first objects that arrested the attention were the colours around the setting sun. they appeared in nature from such a height, these colours were so vivid, that any attempt to convey an idea of their beauty, by the most brilliant pencil or animated description, without the aid of actual sensation, would be hopeless. They had, in truth, the richness and blaze of an Italian sky; and the rays of the evening sun, thus refracted into all the variety of iridescent hues, dashing horizontally, with the finest effects of light and shade, amongst the innumerable conical summits which stand to the west, threw over the landscape an exquisite finish of glow and splendour.

The whole range embraced by the eye at the top of Ben-More, renders the prospect undoubtedly one of the most commanding and

mag

magnificent in Scotland, perhaps in Britain; hardly inferior, in point of beauty, to those of Ben-Lomond, and Ben-Ledi, and in extent yielding only to that of Ben-Nevis. It reaches from the upper part of Inverness-shire, on the north, to Arran and Ireland, which may be faintly descried on the south; and from Mull on the west, to Lammer-muir on the south-east. There is, indeed, no point of equal elevation placed so nearly in the centre of Scotland. Remote from the lowlands, and from the arms of the sea, by which our coasts are so finely indented, the scene it presents is without the usual appen. dages of perfect landscape. But what it wants in beauty, is compensated by grandeur; and the absence of the river, the woodland, and the fertile plain, is forgotten, amidst the impressions arising from the vast expanse, in every direction, of alpine country, where the prominent features of ruggedness and sterility are relieved only at intervals, by the verdure of the cultivated glens, with their windingstreams, diminished by distance to the size of shining threads.

In particular, the course of the Dochart which sweeps the base of Ben-More, and of which, from this elevation, more than twenty miles may be comprised in a single glance, presents a remarkable coup d'oeil. To complete the effect in this style of the picturesque, the immense sheets of water in Loch-Lubnaig, Loch-Earn, and Loch-Tay, gradually opening and retiring from sight, among the deep and bending hollows of the mountains, form an embellishment of the whole view, more easily conceived than described.

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Among the group of mountains which encircles the spectator in this panorama of the Highlands, by far the most striking and beautiful object is Cruachan, lying to the north-west; which springs aloft with singular elegance of outline, from the mass of hills in its vicinity, and which now seemed to project from the brilliant ground of the western sky, like a figure embossed on burnished gold. Few appear ances in that kind of alpine landscape could have a more spirited or charming effect,

With such an expanse of the great and delightful beneath the eye, contemplations of a higher kind could hardly fail to arise in the mind. If the ruins of temples, and the deserted scenes of antient magnificence, patriotism, or learning, have awakened the most interesting recollections, it cannot be unsuitable to the feelings of man, that the sight of impressively magnificent natural objects should lead him to reflect, with the sublimest sentiments of veneration, on the power and wisdom which gave them existence, and which preside over all the stupendous operations of nature.'

Account of North British Testacea. By J. Laskey, Esq.Captain Laskey's diligence and zeal are most creditably attested by the addition of nearly fifty species to the British Fauna, and by positively ascertaining the claims of others which were doubtful to rank in the same list. Among the rarer species are mentioned Chiton lavis, Lepas cornucopia, Mya nitens, and ferruginosa, Solen fragilis, Tellina squalida, — carnaria, — striata, — polygona, — Laskeyi, and similis, Car dium aculeatum,—discors, rubrum, exiguum, fasciatum,—

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spatula

spatula, and-levigatum, Donax castanea, and plebeia, Venus verrucosa, orbiculata,-substriata, ovata, Scotica,- reflexa, -laminosa,—-guineensis,―subrhomboidea, aurea,—compressa,— cassina,―granulata, and—lactea, Chema-cor, Arca tenuis, androstrata, Pecten glaber, and—similis, Anomia cymbiformis, Nautilus linearis, nine distinct species of Bulla, &c. &c. &c.— Captain L. has interspersed his valuable and curious catalogue with some excellent critical remarks; and he has illustrated it by a plate, which contains neat representations of the most remarkable novelties in British conchology.

Remarks on some parts of the Animal that was cast ashore on the Island of Stronsa, September 1808. By Dr. Barclay. (Accompanied by several Affidavits, relating to the Animal.) The imperfect remains of this wonderful non-descript, and the attestations which are annexed to Dr. Barclay's statement of the singular structure of its vertebræ, permit us not to doubt the existence of some such monster of the deep, measuring fifty-five feet in length, of the thickness of a middlesized horse round the girth, with a mane of bristles, extending from the shoulders to the tail; with six swimming paws, placed like wings or feet, two spout-holes on each side of the neck; and, with the exception of the paws and mane, more resembling a huge snake than a fish. Dr. Barclay very success fully combats the opinion, which had been hazarded by Mr. Everard Home, concerning the analogy between the Stronsa animal and the Squalus Maximus, or Basking Shark. If the rude outline of the former, which accompanies this interesting paper, conveys even a faint imitation of its prototype, these two gigantic inhabitants of the ocean must belong to families widely dissimilar in respect both of conformation and habits.

The following communication, subjoined to the affidavits, when taken in combination with all the circumstances attend ing the appearance of the Orkney animal, would tempt us to believe that Pontoppidan's sea-snake, or some creature corresponding to it, may really exist.

'Letter from the Reverend Mr. Maclean, of Small Isles, To the Secretary of the Wernerian Natural History Society. 'Sir, Eigg Island, 24th April 1809. • Your letter of the 1st instant I received, and would have written in answer thereto sooner, had I not thought it desirable to examine others relative to the animal of which you wish me to give a particular

account.

According to my best recollection, I saw it in June 1808, not on the coast of Eigg, but on that of Coll. Rowing along that coast, I observed, at about the distance of half a mile, an object to windward, whigh gradually excited astonishment. At first view, it appeared

like a small rock. Knowing there was no rock in that situation, I fixed my eyes on it close. Then I saw it elevated considerably above the level of the sea, and after a slow movement, distinctly perceived one of its eyes. Alarmed at the unusual appearance and magnitude of the animal, I steered so as to be at no great distance from the shore. When nearly in a line betwixt it and the shore, the monster directing its head (which still continued above water) towards us, plunged violently under water. Certain that he was in chace of us, we plied hard to get ashore. Just as we leaped out on a rock, taking a station as high as we conveniently could, we saw it coming rapidly under water towards the stern of our boat. When within a few yards of the boat, finding the water shallow, it raised its monstrous. head above water, and, by a winding course, got, with apparent difficulty, clear of the creek where our boat lay, and where the monster seemed in danger of being imbayed. It continued to move off, with its head above water, and with the wind, for about half a mile, before we lost sight of it. Its head was rather broad, of a form somewhat oval. Its neck somewhat smaller. Its shoulders, if I can so term them, considerably broader, and thence it tapered towards the tail, which last it kept pretty low in the water, so that a view of it could not be taken so distinctly as I wished. It had no fin that I could perceive, and seemed to me to move progressively by undulation up and down. Its length I believed to be from 70 to 80 feet. When nearest to me, it did not raise its head wholly above water, so that the neck being under water, I could perceive no shining filaments thereon, if it had any. Its progressive motion under water I took to be rapid, from the shortness of the time it took to come up to the boat. When the head was above water, its motion was not near so quick; and when the head was most elevated, it appeared evidently to take a view of distant objects.

About the time I saw it, it was seen about the island of Canna. The crews of thirteen fishing-boats, I am told, were so much terrified at its appearance, that they in a body fled from it to the nearest creek for safety. On the passage from Rum to Canna, the crew of one boat saw it coming towards them, with the wind, and its head high above water. One of the crew pronounced its head as large as a little boat, and each of its eyes as large as a plate. The men were much terrified, but the monster offered them no molestation. From those who saw it, I could get no interesting particulars additional to those above-mentioned. I remain, Sir, &c.

DONALD MACLEAN.'

On the Topaz of Scotland. By Professor Jameson.-According to the Professor, precious beryll, amethyst, precious garnet, and topaz, are the only true gems which have been hitherto discovered in North Britain; and the Scotish topaz was long mistaken for a variety of sapphire, till its characters were of late fully exhibited in a series of crystals, of remarkable size, brought from the upper part of Aberdeenshire to Edinburgh. They are of a greenish-white hue, and slightly opal

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escent.