Notes on the natural history of the Bell RockCampbell, J. M. (John MacLean)
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Notes on the natural history of the Bell Rock
Campbell, J. M. (John MacLean)
Lighthouses -- Natural history; Natural history -- Scotland -- Bell Rock
The sea has been literally alive with large poddlies this month.
Morning and evening they can be seen “breaking” on the surface in
pursuit of “fry,” splashing loudly in their efforts. Though somewhat
averse to our lure, we generally manage to secure a breakfast. On
quiet, still days, good sized cod are seen prowling over the rocks;
and, though lines were set at low water, they were seen at high water
to pass the temptation with indifference. Fishermen aver that all fish
have times when the most tempting delicacy fails to attract their
attention; and possibly this is the case with those which have been
lately under our observation. Hermit crabs at present are seen to be
carrying spawn; and one which was removed from its shell was seen to
have the spawn so far advanced that, when placed in a shallow pool,
they released their attachment with the parent, and began life as
free swimmers. A small fish of the blenny species, when taken from
the crevice in which the tide had left it, was quite dark coloured,
but when placed in a pool was seen to adapt itself to the colouring
of the bottom on which it rested, assuming a mottled grey scarcely
distinguishable from the pool bottom.
Painters have been busy for the latter half of this month repainting
the outside of the building. Favoured with suitable weather, a
fortnight sufficed for the operation of donning the triennial coat,
which will explain the apparent proximity with which it has been lately
viewed from Arbroath.
_JUNE-JULY 1903._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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