An account of the Islands of Orkney by James Wallace ... ; to which is added an essay concerning the Thule of the ancients.

CHAP. II. Of the Plants growing naturally in Ork∣ney. Of those Beans call'd the Mo∣lucca Beans thrown in there. A De∣scription of a strange Fish taken in Sanda. An Account of their Land and Sea-shells. Of their Mines. Of some exotick Fowls driven in there, and some other effects of violent Storms. Of their Lakes and Locks. (Book 2)

I Did not find this Country so well stor'd with Plants as I expected; as for instance, I found none of the Malva kind, nor several other Plants that I thought might have agreed well enough with this Country; but such as I did find, I thought an ac∣count of them might not be unaccep∣table, tho' I am far from pretending this to be so very exact as it should have been; these being the Names of those only I have by me.

• ...

• ... Acetosa pratensis B. P. common Sorrel.
• Acetosa arvensis Lanceolata B. P. Sheeps Sorrel.
• Adianthum album Tab. Ruta muraria B. P. white Maiden-hair.
• Adianthum nigrum Off. I. B. black Mai∣den-hair.
• Adianthum aureum majus Ger. golden Maiden-hair.
• Alchimilla vulgaris B. P. Ladies Man∣tle.
• Alchimilla minime montana Percepier An∣glorum Ger. Parsly break-stone.
• Alliaria B. P. Sauce alone, or Jack-by-the-Hedge.
• Alsine media B. P. common Chickweed.
• Alsine arvensis hirsuta magno flore I. B. Mouse-ear Chickweed.
• Alsine plantaginis folio B. P. Plantain∣leav'd Chickweed.
• Alsine sperula dicta major B. P. Spurrey.
• Alsine minor multicaulis B. P. fine Chick∣weed.
• Alsine palustris portulacae aquaticae similis J. Ray, small water Chickweed.
• Alsine Hederulae folio B. P. Ivy-leav'd Chickweed.
• Alsine veronicae foliis flosculis cauli adhae∣rentibus B. P. speedwell Chickweed.
• ...

• ... Ambrosia campestris repens, Swines cres∣ses.
• Anagallis flore Phoeniceo B. P. Male pim∣pernell.
• Anagallis aquatica major folio oblongo B. P. the greater long-leav'd Brook-lime.
• Anagallis aquatica minor folio subrotundo B. P. common Brook-lime or Water∣pimpernell.
• Androsaemum Mathioli Park. Ascyrum sive Hypericum glabrum bifolium non perfo∣ratum B. P. Mathiolus his Tutsan or elegant St. John's wort not perfo∣rate.
• Angelica Sylvestris B. P. wild Angelica.
• Angelica Sylvestris minor sive erratica B. P. Goutweed or Ashweed.
• Anthillis maritima B. P. Sea-pimpernel.
• Aparine vulgaris B. P. common Goose∣grass.
• Argentina Ger. Argentine or Silverweed.
• Artemisia vulgaris J. B. common Mug∣wort.
• Arundo vulgaris B. P. common Reed.
• Asperula Ger. common white-flower'd Woodroof.
• Asphodelus minimus luteus palustris Acori folio Lob. Hist. Oxon. Bastard Aspho∣del.
• ...

• ... Atriplex Sylvestris angusto & folio oblon∣go B. P. narrow-leav'd wild Arrach.
• Atriplex marina nostras J. Ray; English Sea-Arrach.
• Auricula muris pulchra flore albo J. B. Mouse-ear with a white Flower.
• Auricula muris pulchra, flore albo, folio te∣nuissimo J. B. fair-flower'd Mouse-ear with cut leaves.
• Barba Caprae floribus compactis B. P. Mea∣dow-Sweet or Queen of the Mea∣dow.
• Bardana major sive Lappa J. B. Burdock.
• Bellis major J. B. the greater wild white Daisie.
• Bellis Sylv. minor B. P. common small wild Daisie.
• Buglossum Sylvestre minus B. P. wild or corn Bugloss.
• Buglossum Sylvestre minus caulibus procum∣bentibus B. P. small wild Bugloss.
• Bursa Pastoris J. B. Shepherds purse.
• Bursa Pastoris minor loculis oblongis B. P. Paronychia vulgaris Ger. Nailwort or whitlow Grass.
• Calamintha vulgaris arvensis verticulata B. P. Water Calamint.
• Caltha Palustris J. B. small marsh Mari∣gold.
• ...

• ... Campanula pratensis rotundifolia vulgaris B. P. the lesser round leav'd Bell∣flower.
• Campanula pratensis flore conglomerato B. P. little Throatwort or Canterbury Bells.
• Carduus vulgatissimus viarum Ger. com∣mon-way Thistle.
• Carduus nutans J. B. Thistle with a bend∣ing head.
• Carduus lanceatus B. P. the Spear-thistle.
• Carduus Polyacanthus primus Ger. Thistle upon Thistle.
• Carduus Polyacanthus secundus Lob. walted Thistle with small leaves.
• Caryophyllata vulgaris B. P. Avens.
• Caryophyllus pratensis laciniato flore simplici B. P. wild Williams or Cuckoc-flow∣ers.
• Caryophyllus minimus muscosus nostras Park. Chickweed-breakstone.
• Caryophyllus montanus minor B. P. Thrift or Sea Gilliflower or Arby.
• Chaerephyllum Sylvestre B. P. common wild Chervile.
• Chamaeustus flore luteo B. P. Dwarf Cistus or little Sun-flower.
• Chamaedrys Sylvestris Ger. wild German∣der.
• ...

• ... Chamaemelum inodorum B. P. Mayweed or Dogs Chamomel.
• Chamaemelum inodorum flore pleno, double∣flower'd Mayweed.
• Cheledonium minus Ger. lesser Celandine.
• Chrysanthemum Segetum Ger. Corn Mari∣gold.
• Cicuta major B. P. common Hemlock.
• Cochlearia folio sinuato B. P. common Sea-Scurvy-grass.
• Consolida media pratensis B. P. common Bugle.
• Convolvulus minor arvensis B. P. small Bindweed.
• Coronopus Sylvestris hirsutior B. P. Buck∣horn Plantain.
• Cruciata vulgaris B. P. Crosswort.
• Cyanus minor segetum B. P. common blew∣bottle or Sun-flower.
• Cynaglossum majus vulgare B. P. common Hounds-tongue.
• Daucus nostras, wild Carrot or Birds∣nest.
• Dens leonis B. P. Dandelyon.
• Digitalis purpurea folio aspero B. P. purple Fox-gloves.
• Echium marinum B. P. Sea-bugloss.
• Echium scorpoides arvense B. P. Mouse-ear Scorpion-grass.
• ...

• ... Echium Scorpoides palustre B. P. water Scorpion-grass.
• Equisetum arvense longioribus setis B. P. common Horse-tail.
• Equisetum palustre longioribus setis B. P. the greater Marsh Horse-tail.
• Equisetum palustre brevioribus setis poly∣spermon B. P. Female Horse-tail.
• Equisetum faetidum sub aqua repens B. P. stinking-water Horse-tail.
• Equisetum nudum Ger. naked Horse-tail.
• Erica baccifera procumbens nigra B. P. Ber∣ry bearing Heath.
• Erica vulgaris glabra B. P. common Heath or Heather.
• Erica humilis cortice cineritio Arbuti flore B. P. fine leav'd Heath.
• Erica ex rubro nigricans Scoparia B. P. Low-Dutch-Heath or Broom-Heath.
• Eruca Sylvestris minor luteo parvo{que} flore J. B. small water Rocket.
• Erysimum vulgare B. P. Hedge Mustard.
• Erysimo Similis hirsuta non laciniata alba B. P. Hairy-hedge Mustard with un∣cut leaves.
• Eupatorium aquaticum folio integro Park. water Agrimony with undivided leaves.
• Euphrasia J. B. Eyebright.
• ...

• ... Euphrasia pratensis rubra B. P. Eyebright Cow-wheat.
• Filix ramosa major pinnulis obtusis non dentatis B. P. common Brakes or female Fern.
• Filix non ramosa dentata B. P. male Fern.
• Fumaria officinarum B. P. Fumitory.
• Gallium album J. B. white Ladies Bed∣straw.
• Gallium luteum B. P. yellow Ladies Bed∣straw.
• Gallium sive Molugo montana minor Gallio albo similis J. Ray. small Mountain Bastard Madder.
• Gentianella autumnalis centauri minoris foliis Park. Dwarf autumnal Gentian.
• Geranium Batrochoides folio Aconiti B. P. the lesser Crowfoot Crainsbill.
• Geranium Cicutae folio inodorum B. P. un∣savory Crainsbill.
• Geranium Columbinum tenuius laciniatum B. P. Doves-foot with uncut leaves.
• Geranium lucidum saxatile B. P. shining rock Crainsbill.
• Geranium Robertianum primum B. P. Herb Robert.
• Glaux Maritima B. P. Sea-Milkwort.
• ...

• ... Gnaphalium montanum flore rotundiore B. P. Mountain Cudweed or Cats∣foot.
• Gnaphalium medium B. P. middle or black headed Cudweed.
• Gramen Caninum Arvense B. P. Dogs∣grass.
• Gramen Cristatum J. B. smooth crested grass.
• Gramen Avenaceum panicula flavescente lo∣custis parvis J. Ray. Oat-grass with a yellow pannicle.
• Gramen aquaticum genicalatum spicatum B. P. spiked flote Grass or water Grass.
• Gramen Asperum J. B. rough Grass.
• Gramen avenaceum dumetorum spica sim∣plici J. Ray. Single-spiked-hedge Oat∣grass.
• Gramen Cyperoides majus angustifolium Park. the greater narrow-leav'd Cy∣perus Grass.
• Gramen exile duriusculum in muris & ari∣dis proveniens J. Ray. small hard Grass.
• Gramen palustre echinatum J. B. Hedge∣hog-grass.
• Gramen pratense paniculatum majus B. P. the greater Meadow Grass.
• ...

• ... Gramen pratense paniculatum minus B. P. the lesser Meadow Grass.
• Gramen pratense paniculatum molle B. P. soft tufted Meadow Grass.
• Gramen parvum praecox spica laxa canescen∣te, J. Ray. Vernal-grass with a soft loose Spike.
• Gramen secalinum Ger. Rie-grass.
• Gramen Sparteum spicatum foliis mucrona∣tis vel spica secalina B. P. Sea Matweed or Bent.
• Gramen Tomentosum Ger. Cotton-grass.
• Gramen Tremulum J. B. Quaking-grass.
• Gramen Typhynum majus Ger. the great∣est Cats-tail-grass.
• Hieracium minus folio subrotundo B. P. small Swines succory.
• Hieracium dentis leonis folio obtuso ma∣jus B. P. Long-rooted Hawk-weed.
• Hieracium Chondrillae folio radice succisa majus B. P. yellow Devils-bit.
• Horminum pratense foliis serratis B. P. common wild-clary.
• Hyoscyamus niger vulgaris B. P. Black∣henbane.
• Hypericum vulgare B. P. common St. John's-wort.
• Hypericum Ascyrum dictum caule qua∣drangulo J. B. common St. Peter's-wort.
• ...

• ... Jacea nigra pratensis laetifolia B. P. Black knap-weed.
• Jacobaea vulgaris J. B. common St. James's-wort.
• Imperatoriae affinis maritima umbelliferae scotica Sutherlandi. Scot's sea Master-wort.

I don't know why some chuse ra∣ther to call this an Apium, others á Seseli, and some a Ligusticum; I shall describe the Plant, and take liberty to do it in Latin, since it runs best that way, and so any may judge whether it has more the Character of an Apium or Impera∣toria. Folia allata sunt ex tribus seg∣mentis amplis subrotundis, laete virentibus, palmaribus, tripartitis & in ambitu inci∣sis componuntur. Caulis ad cubitum as∣surgit, striatus, cavus, geniculis nonnul∣lis interceptus, in quibus folia adsunt in∣ferioribus longe minora. Flores in um∣bellam planam & latam disponuntur, rosa∣cei, pentapetali, candidi, cum calice in duo semina abeunte striata, compressa, & ala foliacea tenui{que} cincta. There is no Plant more common by the Sea side on the Rocks, especially in Waes and Hoy, than this; but 'tis very frequent in most o∣ther places of this Country.

• ...

• ... Iris palustris lutea sive Acorus Adulteri∣nus J. B. yellow water Flagg or Flow∣er-de-luce.
• Juncus acutus panicula sparsa B. P. com∣mon hard Rush.
• Juncus laevis panicula sparsa major B. P. common Rush.
• Juncus maximus & scirpus major B. P. Bull Rush.
• Juncus aquaticus capitulis equiseti major B. P. club Rush.
• Juniperus vulgaris B. P. the Juniper Bush.
• Kali spinosum cochleatum B. P. prickly Glasswort.
• Lamium album B. P. white dead Nettle or Archangel.
• Lamium rubrum B. P. red dead Nettle or Archangel.
• Lapathum vulgare folio obtuso J. B. round leav'd Wild Dock.
• Lapathum folio acuto B. P. sharp-pointed Dock.
• Lapathum folio acuto crispo B. P. sharp∣pointed Dock with curled leaves.
• Lapathum unctuosum sive Bonus Henricus J. B. common English Mercury.
• Latuca Sylvestris costa spinosa B. P. cut∣leav'd wild Latice.
• ...

• ... Lens palustris J. B. Duck Meat.
• Lichen sive hepatica terrestris B. P. com∣mon ground Liverwort.
• Lichen cinereus terrestris J. Ray. Ash-co∣lour'd-ground Liverwort.
• Linaria lutea vulgaris J. B. common Toad∣flax.
• Linum pratense flosculis exiguis B. P. Dwarf wild flax.
• Lolium album Ger. Darnel.
• Lonchitis aspera B. P. great bastard Spleen∣wort.
• Lotus sive Melilotus pentaphyllos minor gla∣bra B. P. Birds-foot trefoil.
• Lunaria minor Ger. small Moonwort.
• Lychnis Sylvestris alba simplex B. P. the white Campion.
• Lychnis segetum major B. P. Cockle.
• Lychnis Sylvestris quae Behen album vulgo B. P. Spatling Poppy.
• Lychnis Maritima repens B. P. English Sea Campion.
• Lychnis Sylvestris viscosa rubra angustifo∣lia B. P. German Catchflea with white Flowers.
• Lysimachia Siliquosa glabra major B. P. the great smooth leav'd loose Strife.
• Lysimachia Siliquosa galbra minor B. P. the lesser or smooth leav'd loose-Strife.
• ...

• ... Lysimachia Siliquosa hirsuta parvo flore B. P. hairy-codded willow Flower.
• Marubium nigrum faetidum B. P. black Horehound.
• Melampyrum luteum common Cow-Wheat.
• Mentha rotundifolia palustris sive aquatica B. P. Water Mint.
• Millefolium vulgare B. P. Yarrow or Mil∣lefoil.
• Millefolium aquaticum ranunculi flore & capitulo Park. Crowfoot Water-Mil∣foil.
• Muscus terrestris clavatus B. P. Club∣moss.
• Muscus clavatus foliis cupressi B. P. Cy∣press-moss or Heath-moss.
• Muscus pixiodis terrestris B. P. Cup or Chalice-moss.
• Myrrhis Sylvestris seminibus asperis B. P. small Hemlock Chervil.
• Myrtillus, Whortle bush or Whorts.
• Nasturtium pratense magno flore B. P. La∣dies Smock or Cuckoe Flowers.
• Nasturtium pratense magno flore sive Car∣damini flore albo, Hist. Oxon. Ladies Smock with white Flowers.
• Nasturtium aquaticum B. P. common Wa∣ter-cresses.
• ...

• ... Nasturtium Sylvestre tenuissime divisum B. P. Flixweed.
• Nymphaea major alba B. P. the great white water Lily.
• Oenanthe Apii folio succo viroso Morisoni, Hemlock Dropwort.
• Ononis spinis carens purpurea B. P. Purple Rest-Harrow.
• Ononis non spinosa flore albo, white flow∣er'd Rest-Harrow without prickles.
• Ophrys bifolia B. P. two blade.
• Orchys mus foliis maculatis B. P. the male Fools Stones.
• Orchys faemina B. P. the female Fools Stones.
• Panax Coloni B. P. Clowns All-heal.
• Papaver erraticum majus B. P. Corn Poppy.
• Papaver corniculatum luteum B. P. yellow∣flower'd Horn-Poppy.
• Pedicularis pratensis lutea B. P. yellow rat∣tle or Cocks-comb.
• Pedicularis pratensis purpurea B. P. red rattle Grass.
• Pedicularis pratensis rubra clatior J. Ray. great red rattle or Louse-wort.
• Persicaria mitis maculosa & non maculosa B. P. dead or spotted Arsmart.
• ...

• ... Persicaria urens sive Hydropiper B. P. hot Arsmart.
• Petasites major B. P. common Butterbur.
• Pimpinella Saxifraga major umbella candi∣da B. P. great Burnet Saxifrage.
• Pimpinella Saxifraga minor B. P. small burnet Saxifrage.
• Plantago latifolia sinuata B. P. great Plan∣tain.
• Plantago angustifolia major B. P. Ragwort or lesser Plantain.
• Plantago aquatica latifolia B. P. Water∣plantain.
• Polygala vulgaris B. P. Blew Milkwort.
• Polygonum latifolium B. P. common Knot∣grass.
• Polypodium vulgare B. P. common Polypody
• Potamogeiton rotundifolium B. P. round leav'd Pondweed.
• Potamogeiton salicis folio B. P. narrow∣leav'd Pondweed.
• Prunella vulgaris B. P. Self-heal.
• Ptarmica, Sneezewort.
• Ranunculus pratensis repens hirsutus B. P. common Crowfoot.
• Ranunculus pratensis erectus acris B. P. upright Meadow Crowfoot.
• Ranunculus palustris Apii folio laevis B. P. round leav'd marsh Crowfoot.
• Ranunculus longifolius palustris major B. P. the great Spearwort.
• ...

• ... Ranunculus palustris serratus B. P. dented Spearwort.
• Ranunculus aquaticus folio rotundo & ca∣pillaceo B. P. water Crowfoot with various leaves.
• Ranunculus aquaticus Cotyledonis folio B. P. marsh Pennywort.
• Raphanus rusticanus B. P. Horse-radish.
• Rapistrum slore luteo B. P. wild Mustard.
• Ros solis folio rotundo B. P. Sun-dew.
• Rosa Sylvestris vulgaris B. P. the common wild brier bush.
• Salix pumila repens Ger. small creeping Willow.
• Sanicula officinarum B. P. common Sani∣cle.
• Sanicula montana slore Calcari donato B. P. Butterwort.
• Saxifraga rotundifolia alba B. P. common white Saxifrage.
• Saxifraga rotundifolia aurea B. P. Golden Saxifrage.
• Saxifraga Anglicafacie seseli pratensis Park. Meadow Saxifrage.
• Scabiosa pratensis hirsuta quae officinarum B. P. common Scabious.
• Scandix semine rostrato sive pecten Veneris B. P. Venus comb or Shepherds-Nee∣dle.
• ...

• ... Scordium alterum sive Salvia agrestis B. P. Wood Sage.
• Scrophularia nodosa foetida B. P. common Figwort.
• Scrophularia aquatica major B. P. Water Betony or Figwort.
• Sedum parvum acre flore luteo J. B. Stone crop or Wall-pepper.
• Sedum Tridactylites tectorum B. P. parony∣chia folio rutaceo Ger. Rue Whitlow Grass.
• Senicio minor vulgaris B. P. common Groundsell.
• Serpillum vulgare minus B. P. wild Thyme.
• Sideritis alsines trissaginis folio B. P. I∣ronwort with Germander Chickweed leaves.
• Sium angustifolium majus B. P. Water-Parsnip.
• Sium minimum foliis ferulaceis Hort. Reg. Blessen. minimum Jo. Ray. the least Water-parsnip.
• Sonchus laevis laciniatus latifolius B. P. smooth Sow-thistle.
• Sonchus asper laciniatus & non laciniatus B. P. prickly Sow-thistle.
• Soncho affinis Lampsana Domestica B. P. Nipplewort or Balagan.
• Sparganium non ramosum B. P. Bur-reed.
• ...

• ... Sphondylium vulgare B. P. Cow-parsnip.
• Succisa sive morsus Diaboli J. B. Purple∣flower'd Devils Bit.
• Telephium vulgare B. P. common Or∣pine.
• Thalictrum minus B. P. the lesser Mea∣dow Rue.
• Tithymallus Helioscopius B. P. Sun surge.
• Tormentilla Sylvestris B. P. Tormentil.
• Tragopogon pratense luteum B. P. yellow Goats beard.
• Trifolium pratense album B. P. white flower'd trefoil.
• Trifolium pratense purpureum B. P. Purple flower'd trefoil.
• Trifolium luteum lupulinum minimum Hist. Oxon. the least hop trefoil.
• Trifolium palustre B. P. marsh Trefoil.
• Tussilago J. B. Coltsfoot.
• Typha palustris major B. P. Cats-tail.
• Valeriana Sylvestris major B. P. great wild Valerian.
• Valeriana palustris minor B. P. small wild or marsh Valerian.
• Verbascum vel primula veris flore simplici B. P. common Primerose.
• Veronica mas supina & vulgatissima B. P. the male Speedwell or Fluellan.
• ...

• ... Vicia Multislora B. P. tufted Vetch or Birds tears.
• Vicia segetum cum siliquis plurimis hirsu∣tis B. P. small wild Tare.
• Viola martia inodora Sylvestris B. P. wild or Dogs Violet.
• Viola tricolor arvensis B. P. Pansies or Hearts-ease.
• Virga aurea angustifolia minus serrata B. P. common golden Rod.
• Urtica aculeata foliis serratis sive Canabis spuria B. P. Bastard Hemp.
• Urtica urens maxima B. P. common Net∣tle.

There are no Trees any where in all this Country, except some few Ashes Thorn and Plumb Trees that are in the Bishops Garden in Kirkwal. There are in some Gentlemens Gardens in Kirk∣wal, and several other places of the Country, some Apple and Cherry-trees, but they seldom bear Fruit that comes to any maturity; and the Trees grow never higher than the Garden Walls. And, except some few wild Roses and Juniper that I see in Hoy, and the Myr∣tillus and Heath, which is common eve∣ry where, I don't remember to have seen any Bush or Shrub growing wild

in all the Country. Yet in a great ma∣ny Gardens they have several very good Plants both for Use and Ornament; Cabbage, Turnip, Carrot, Parsnip, Skir∣ret or Crummocks, &c. grow to as great a bigness here as any where; and Ar∣tichokes to a greater than ever I have seen them in any other place.

I do not understand the reason why Trees don't grow here, since in the same Latitude in Norway, and some de∣grees more Northerly, Trees thrive ve∣ry well, even on small Rocks surroun∣ded by the Sea. I know not whether it be in places where the Sea makes such a breach as it does in some places of this Country, where the Sea-water, with the violence of the Storm, is carry'd a great way on the Land, and blasts all it falls on: This, with the violent Winds that oft blow in this Country, I think, may be one reason why Trees don't prosper so well; but if they have the same Breaches in Norway, I don't know what to say to it. Whether Trees have grown here of old; or, what is more probable, if it be the remains yet of the Flood, but commonly, in their Mos∣ses,

they find Trees of twenty or thirty Foot long.

After Storms of Westerly Wind, a∣mongst the Sea-weed, they find com∣monly in places expos'd to the Western-Ocean these Phaseoli, that, I know not for what reason, go under the Name of Molucca Beans. The in∣genious Doctor Sloan in the Philosophi∣cal Transactions, Number 222, gives a very satisfactory Account, how from the West-Indies, where they commonly grow, they may be thrown in on Ire∣land, the Western parts of Scotland and Orkney. You have the Figures of four different sorts of them.

Here is good store of Sheep and Cows, which tho' they be little, yet yield abundance of Milk. Their Ewes are so fertile, that most of them have two at a Birth, some three. I my self saw one that had four all living and following the Dam.

Their Horses are but little, yet strong, and can endure a great deal of Fatigue, most of which they have from Zet∣land and are call'd Shelties. There are great Herds of Swine and rich War∣rens almost in every Isle, well stor'd

with Rabbits. Frogs are seen but sel∣dom, yet there are some Toads, tho', as it is thought, they are not poisonous, as indeed there are few, if any, poiso∣nous Animals in all this Country.

Many Ottars and Seols are to be had every where, and oft times Spout Whales and Pellacks run in great number up∣on the shore and are taken, as in the Year 1691, near Kairston in the Main∣land, there run in a Bay no less than a hundred and fourteen at once.

The Stellae-marinae and Urtica-Marina are oft thrown in great plenty. In the Sea they catch Ling, Keeling, Haddock, Whiting, Mackrel, Turbat, Scate, Con∣gre-Eels, Sole, Fleuks, &c. and some∣times they catch Sturgeon.

In the Year 1682, in Winter, there was taken a strange but beautifull Fish in Sanda (where several of them had been taken before) it was about an Ell in length, deep Breasted, and narrow at the Tail; the Head and Finns, and a stroke down the Back were all of a deep scarlet colour, which made it beau∣tiful to look on; the rest was of a brown∣ish colour, without scales, having se∣veral whitish spots in the Body; the

Fish of the half next the Head was like Beef, and of the other half next the Tail was like Salmon.

Herring swim thorough these Islands in great plenty, but the People are not so frugal, or have not the way, to catch them. Some Years ago, many Ships from Fife frequented this Country for the catching of Herrings; but the Sea∣men having been in the Year 1645, at the Battle of Kilsyth, they were there almost all Killed; since which time that Trade failed; tho' the Hollanders, to our eternal Reproach, fail not to keep it up to their great advantage.

Sometimes strange Fishes are cast a shore, to which the People give as strange Names. I see one like a Goose Feather, the Body being like the Quill, and the Tail like the Feather, of a red∣dish colour. This seems to be what Gesner calls, Penna Marina Sitardi. As for that strange sleeping Fish that Boe∣thius mentions in his Description of this Country, I could never hear of it.

I have oft observ'd in the Head of the grayish Snail, those bright white Stones Doctor Lister mentions in his excellent Book, De Cochleis & Araneis Angliae,

The People here beat them to Powder, and reckon it a Specifick for the Gra∣vel.

As to their Land Shells, I cannot so well describe, since, after I understood any thing of that part of Natural Hi∣story, the very short time I staid there gave me but little opportunity to make so nice an enquiry as I should other∣wise have done; only I observ'd a great variety of the Cochleae Terrestres, both as to their Maculae and Fasciae, and that buccinum rupium, &c. which Dr. Lister describes Tit. 8. De Cochleis Terrestribus. Since there are no Rivers, there can no River-shells be expected here; but in their small Rivolets the buccinum exi∣guum trium spirarum à sinistra in dextram convolutarum was common: And of the Sea-shells I found the

Buccinum album, laeve, maximum, septem minime spirarum.

Buccinum crassum, rufescens, striatum & undatum.

Buccinum tenue, laeve, striatum & unda∣tum.

Buccinum bilingue, labro propatulo. This Doctor Lister in his Synopsis Conchyli∣orum,

makes a West-India Shell. I found it here common, as I found it afterwards in several other places of Scotland.

Buccinum angustius, tenuiter admodum striatum, octo minimum spirarum.

Buccinum minus, albidum, asperum, in∣tra quinas spiras finitum.

Buccinum minus, ex albo subviride, ore dentato, eoque ex slavo leviter rufes∣cente.

Buccinum tenue, dense striatum, 12 mini∣nimum spiris donatum.

Cochlea fusca fasciis crebris angustisque praedita.

Cochlea rufescens, fasciis, maculatis, maxi∣me ad imos orbes, distincta.

Nerita ex fusco viridescens, aut ex toto slavescens, modo pallide, modo intense ad colorem mali aurantii maturi.

Nerita fasciatus, unica lata fascia insig∣nitus, caeterum subfuscus ex viridi.

Nerita reticulatus.

Trochus albidus maculis rubentibus di∣stinctus, sex minimum spirarum.

Trochus crebris striis fuscis & transverse & undatim dispositis donatus.

Trochus minor coerulescens; striatus, um∣bilicatus, apice brevi.

Concha Veneris exigua, alba, striata. Nuns, call'd in Orkney, John-a-Groats buc∣kies.

Echinus marinus, orbicularis, esculentus. The largest of this kind I ever see any where are in Orkney; I have seen several of them twenty or thirty Inches in Circumference. The common people reckon the meat of the Sea Urchin or Ivegars as they call them a great Rarity, and use it oft instead of Butter.

Patella ex livido cinera, striata. The Lim∣pet.

Patella fusca, compressa, dense striata.

Patella articulata, cymbiformis. I never see any of this kind any where but this one; yet Rondeletius has some∣thing pretty near it, and I have lately had one from the West-Indies that seems to be of that same kind, but bigger; see the Figure.

Patella minor, fusca, tenuis, umbone nigro ad extremitatem anteriorem detruso, tri∣bus inde lineis coeruleis per dorsum de∣currentibus pulchre distincta.

Patella ovalis minor, viridis, nigra, fascia in medio donata.

Patella maxima ex albo viridescens, um∣bone ad partem anteriorem admoduni dotruso.

Ostreum vulgare maximum. The lar∣gest Oysters ever I see any where, are got in some places of this Country, and the fittest for pickling; I have seen them so large that they must be cut in two or three pieces before they can be eat∣en: But the people are so careless that they have in few places Drags to take them up as they do elsewhere, but for the most part at a great ebb, go in a∣mongst the Rocks and cut them off with a Knife.

Concha longa lataque in mediis cardini∣bus cavitate quadam pyriformi insigni∣ta.

Concha quasi rhomboides in medio cardi∣ne utrinque circiter tribus exiguis den∣ticulis donata.

Concha è maximis admodum crassa, ro∣tunda ex nigro rufescens.

Concha tenuis subrotunda, omnium mini∣me cava, cardinis medio sinu & am∣plo & pyriformi.

Concha crassa ex altera parte compressa ex altera subrotunda.

Concha parva subrotunda ex parte inter∣na rubens.

Pecten maximus circiter 14 striis admo∣dum crassis & eminentibus & iisdem ipsis striatis insignitus. Scallop or Clamshell.

Pecten tenuis, subrufus, maculosus, circi∣ter 20 striis majoribus at laevibus do∣natus.

Pecten minimus, angustior, inaequalis fere & asper, sinu ad cardinem cylindraceo, creberrimis minutissimisque striis dona∣tus.

Pecten minor utrinque aequaliter auritus, profunde striatus, & ex albo & rubro pulchre variegatus.

I could name a great many more of these kind of Pectines, that are by some reckon'd distinct species, but I think them all of the same kind, and that they have these accidental Colours, &c. from their being sometime expos'd to the weather, since I could never see any live shells have such Colours or be so variegated: And tho' they were I doubt if it be altogether warrantable in

this part of natural History, to distin∣guish Shells only differing in some acci∣dental Colours, more than it would be to reckon black and red Hair'd, those of a large or smaller Stature, different Species or Tribes of men.

I observ'd in Stroma a little Island that lies in Pightland Firth, and in some places in Orkney, where there went ex∣traordinary cross and strong Tides, al∣most all the thinner sort of Pe∣ctines, so twisted and of such an irre∣gular shape, that I was surpris'd to see it. I cannot think the odd strange tum∣bling the Tides make there, can contri∣bute any thing to that frame; yet after all I never see them so in any other place. See the Figure of one of them.

Pectunculus maximus at minus concavus, plurimis minutioribus & parum emi∣nentibus striis donatus, rostro, acuto & minus incurvato.

Pectunculus albus, exiguus, muricibus in∣signiter exasperatus.

Pectunculus maximus subfuscus valde gra∣vis Listeri, Synop. Conch. Numb. 108.

Pectunculus maximus insigniter echinatus.

Pectunculus vulgaris, albidus, rotundus, circiter 26 strijs majusculis at planioribus donatus. The Cockle.

Tellina intus ex viola purpurascens, in am∣bitu serrata. I have a great many more of these Tellinae of different Co∣lours, and some very beautifully va∣riegated, but I reckon them on the same score with the Pectines that are so.

Concha laevis, altera tantum parte clausi∣lis, apophysi admodum prominente, la∣ta{que} praedita.

Solen sive concha tenuis longissima{que} ab utra{que} parte naturaliter hians. The Spout Fish.

Musculus ex coeruleo niger. The com∣mon Muscle.

On a Log of wood which has been some time in the Sea, and afterwards thrown upon the shore by some Storm, I have seen thousands of the Balani Ron∣deletij, or the Concha Anatifera; and on the Rocks every where the

Balanus cinereus, velut è senis laminis striatis compositus, ipso vertice, altera testa bisida rhomboide occluso.

There is such abundance almost every where of Shell-fish, but especially Cockles, that the whole Country is serv'd no other way with Lime, but by those Shells burn'd, which makes a very fair Lime, and does very well in Plaister, though I doubt whether it be so proper for Building as stone Lime is.

As to the Crustaceous Fishes, as Lobsters, Crabs, &c. they are in as great abundance here, as any where.

Here is plenty of tame and wild Fowl; they reckon they have 8 or 9 different sorts of wild Geese, and of gray Plover, Moorfowl, Wild-Duck, Swans, Teal, Whaps, or Curlew, &c. there is no place better stor'd. They have likewise many Foists and Lyers both Sea Fowls very fat and delicious. Sometime the Stock-Owl and Bittern have been seen in this Country. Eagle and Earns as they call them, and Gledes or Kites are here in great plenty, and very hurtful to their young Store: Yea, they have been found to seize upon young Chil∣dren and carry them a good way of; and there is yet a Man alive, one John Hay, living now in Sanda, who was thus

carried away by an Eagle, while a young Child in swadling cloaths (his Mother having left him on the Grass, till she went a little way to carry somewhat) to her Nest; but was so speedily by the blessing of God preven∣ted that no harm was done to him. There is a Law in this Country, that if any kill any of these Earns or Ea∣gles, he is to have a Hen out of every house in the Parish in which it is killed.

Hawks and Falcons have their Nests in several places of these Islands; as in the Noup, Swendal, and Rapnes in We∣stra; at Highberry and Aith-head in Waes; at Braebrake, Furcarsdale and Rathwick in Hoy; at Halcro, Greehead and Hocksa in South-Ronalsha; at Bellibrake and Quen∣dal in Rousa; at Rousumhead and Lamb∣head in Stronsa, in the calf of Eda; at Gatnip, Gultack, Mulehead, in Dierness, Copinsha, Blackcraig of Stromnes, Yeskrabie, Birsa, Marwick and Costahead in the Main∣land. The King's Falconer comes eve∣ry Year, and takes the young, who has Twenty Pound Sterling in Salary, and a Hen or Dog out of every House in

the Country, except some places that are Privileg'd.

There are several Mines of Tinn, Lead, and perhaps of other Metals, e∣specially in the Mainland, South-Ronalsha, Hoy, Stronsa, Sanda, but are neglected, or not improved, through Poverty or Carelessness. A great deal of Marle is found, especially in the Mainland, of which the Husbandman makes good use for mannor. In many places are Quarries of excellent free or sand Stone and Slate. Not far from Birsa at Buck∣quoy and Swinna are to be found some Veins of Marble and Alabaster.

On the shore, sometimes, is to be found Sperma Ceti, Ambergreese, Water∣sponges, and a great many Cuttle-bones, or Os Sepiae. Sometimes they catch Exo∣tick Fowls, driven in by the Wind in time of a Storm; as one some time ago that had along Beak, a large tuft on the Head, in fashion of a Crown, with speckled Feathers, very pleasant to see, which, I believe, was the Upupa; and two or three Years ago, in Sanda; there was a very beautiful Bird driven in there alive; they afterwards shot it, and I had it sent me; 'twas something like

a Woodpecker, but of extraordinary lively Colours, especially a light Blue and a Green. And I have seen the Al∣bardeola, or Shovelaer, driven in there.

Some Years since, the Day being ex∣ceeding Stormy, there were found be∣fore a Gentleman's Door in Kirkwal, some little distance from the Sea, seven or eight Quiths (a Fish something less than a Whiting) half alive, as if they had been but newly taken; it's like the violent Wind, they swimming on the top of the Water, had heav'd them out of the Sea, and when the strength of the blast was gone, they had fall'n on that place.

But how violently the Wind blows here, and how great is the force of the Sea breach, may appear from this, That at Cantick-head and Osnua-head in Waes, there are, by the violence of the Sea and Winds, large Stones thrown up from the bottom, a great way above the Rock, some so large, That some Men can hard∣ly move them.

This Country being divided in to small Islands, it cannot be expected there should be in it any Rivers, yet there is every where a great many Rivulets or

Bourns, as they call them, well reple∣nish'd with Trouts, both small and great, some of them like to young Sal∣mon.

There is a large Loch or Lake in the Mainland, call'd the Loch of Stennis, but unfruitful. Besides that, there are in every Island some small Lochs, but they serve for no other use but to af∣ford Water to their Mills and Cattle. There be also some Lochs that have some remarkable properties, as Saint Tredwell's Loch, in Papa-Westra, which, they say, is Medicinal; but for what I know not: There is another Loch in Shapinsha, of which, it is said, that if any wash their feet in it, they will strike out in Blisters. The Loch of Swanna, in the Mainland, will have, in some parts, a thick scum, of a Copper Colour, upon it, which makes some think there is some Mine under it.

This Country is most commodious for Navigation, there being every where excellent Bays and Ports for Shipping, the most remarkable of which I have gi∣ven an account of in the last Chapter.