Page:Scotish Descriptive Poems - Leyden (1803).djvu/194



P. 159. v. 54. According to Martin, the Island of Lewis is so called from Leog, which in the Irish language signifies, water lying on the surface of the ground; "which is very proper to this island, because of the great number of fresh-water lakes that abound in it." By the islanders it is commonly denominated, The long island; which appellation comprehends Uist and Harris, as well as Lewis proper.

P. 159. v. 58. In "Certayne Matters," it is said, that in a haven of Arran there is such abundance of fish, that if more be caught than serves their daily consumption, the natives throw them into the sea as into a "stanke."

P. 159. v. 62. Seafort Bay is not Seaforth on the continent, whence the Earl of Seaforth derives his title; but Loch Seafort, which divides Lewis from Harris, and which Martin mentions as the best harbour on the south side of the Long Island, which, like the other coasts and bays of the Long Island, abounds in cod, ling, and herring, and whales which frequently interrupt the fishermen. In the collection intitled "Certayne Matters," &c. 1597, this island is celebrated as the resort of whales.

P. 165. v. 204. "In the south of Scotland, espe-