constitution, is dropped into their mouths ; for, that being opened, there is found in their crops no other sustenance but a single sorrel leaf, which the old give their young for digestion's sake, as is conjectured. The flesh of these birds is nothing pleasant, fresh, because of their rank and fish-like taste; but, pickled or salted, they may be ranked with anchovies, caviare, or the like: but profitable they are in their feathers and oil, of which they make great use about their wool. Here are some ayries of mettled falcons that build in the rocks, great store of conies, red deer; and, in the summer time, arrive here out of Ireland and the western parts of Scotland many of those small hawks called merlyns." I observed Scolopax Arquata, the curlieu, about the Calf; and it is probably not uncommon in some other places. I did not see in the Isle of Man any inland birds which are uncommon in the neighbouring counties. Wilson mentions the existence of eagles in his time. The airy last known was upon Snawfel.

Hares are not very common for want of cover; and the birds which the sportsman expects

to meet with are, partridges, woodcocks; grouse, snipes and wild ducks. Partridges are in some seasons very plentiful; and one of the Laxey miners told me that, a few days before my visit to the mines, he had killed thirteen at one shot. Whether he made use of a gun or drew his long bow I did not inquire.

any

I did not hear of fresh-water fish except the trout. Fish of this species, generally small, abound in many rivers. I was in company with one gentleman, very fond of angling, whə caught with a fly in the Peel river, in the course of a month, one hundred and one dozen.

may

Some beautiful species of Molussa, the Actinea Rufa Lin., are seen adhering to the rocks where pools are formed, waiting for their prey with extended arms. Of this genus perhaps be the battlecock mentioned by Townley. It is said to possess nearly all the desirable properties of the turtle, not excepting the green fat, and to make excellent soup. Although some gelatinous animals are not, in their natural form, very tempting to the eye, I know not why they should not make a nutritious and perhaps palatable soup. What could be more

disgusting at first sight than the periwinkle or the oyster, unless the turtle itself be excepted?

Noxious reptiles are not to be found. Whether they would be able to live and multiply is not agreed upon. Giraldus notes a dispute between the Kings of England and of Ireland for this little domain, which was agreed to be amicably settled by the introduction of venomous reptiles from England which would not live in Ireland. The reptiles lived, and the King of England consequently took possession of it.*

This island, like the Hebrides, is destitute of woods and of almost all trees not planted. Sometimes I observed a little brushwood, and at others have had pointed out to me places where bushes and hazle trees used to grow. The subject reminds me of a speech of Dr. Johnson, rather surly to be sure, made to the proprietor of one of the Scottish isles, when talking of his woods: "Sir, I have had pointed out to me what I took for heath: you could shew me any thing like furze

if

Hollinshed's Chronicles, fo. Vol. I. p. 37.

it would be something."

Furze requires

a better soil than heath. It is plentiful on the uncultivated, low, and hilly lands of Man, but does not appear upon the moun

tains.

90

CHAPTER III.

On the Population, Climate, Buildings, and Agriculture of the Island.

BEDE relates that in bis time (the eighth century) the population of the island did not exceed three hundred families.* He calls the Isles of Man and of Anglesea, Insula Menaviæ, distinguishing one by the Northern, the other by the Southern Menavia.† Hollinshed, who wrote in the year 1584, says, "there were formerly thirteen hundred families in this island, but now scarcely half that number. In the year 1667 the island contained 2531 men between the ages of sixteen and sixty years.

Here follows a detailed account of the population at three distinct periods, the years 1726, 1757, and 1792.

Ecclesiastical History, Book II. Chap. 9.

+ Petrus Bertius Beverus, editor of Ptolemy's Geography, supposes the Menaviæ of Bede to be the Hebudæ or Hebrides: but this can hardly be the case, since Bede speaks of them as only two. B B B. K£Q. ß.