BASS, a great rock in the Firth of Forth, about three miles from the shore, directly opposite to the promontory upon which the ancient fortress ofTan tallon is situated. It is nearly round, not above the sixth of a mile in diameter, and about four hundred feet above the level of the sea. Towards the south, that is, opposite to the land, it declines with shelving rocks to the water, where it affords the only landing place. Yet here it is accessible only in calm weather, and even then not without danger, tb those who are unaccustomed to make good their land ing, by catching the rise of the boat upon the top of a wave. Towards the west, north, and east, it rises perpendicularly out of the sea, near two hundred feet high ; and in some places, this lofty precipice pro jects at the top, which, to those who sail round it, has a frightful appearance. In other places this vast rock is excavated to a great depth by the waves. Upon the south side, where the isle has a gradual de scent, the sea is shallow ; but on the west, north, and east, where it is perpendicUlar, the sea is from two to three hundred feet deep, close by the side of the rock. As far as we can judge from hand specimens, this isle appears to be principally com posed of clinkstone, and therefore belongs to the newest &eta trap formation.
The most remarkable land plant which this islz affords, is the beautiful lavatera arborea of Lin nwus. Of sea plants it contains but few species, as the fucus saccharinus, fucus loreus, Ste.
Very few zoophytes occur. The most abundant, and in every respect the most interesting bird of this isle, is the pelicanus bassanus of Linnams, the solar goose. They arrive at the Bass in the month of March, and after they have bred go away in Sep tember. Yet generally some few stay about the island the whole winter, which are judged to be the old ones, that are not able for the distant flight under taken by the others. They neither arrive or depart all at one time. Before their arrival a few of their number come to the Bass, which are supposed to be dispatched as scouts ; and in some days thereafter, the main body arrives in several successive divisions. Dr 'Walker gives the following statement of the rent and produce of the Bass.
Bent of the Bass.
Rent to Sir Hugh Dalrymple, Baronet, the proprie tor, SIO merks, or A'16 13 4. To the climber 100 merks, or - - - 5 11 To seven men employed in catching the fowls, .4'16 Scots each, or - - - 9 6 8 To the carrier 36 times to Edifiburgh, 28 stone each time 3 12 0 Total 465 3 1.
Produce of the Bass.
They take the solan goose thirty-six times in the season, and at a medium thirty-six every time ; which, at Is. 8d.
sterling each, is - 4118 0 0 Sheeps grass 5 0 0 Tcn Scots gallons of oil, drawn from the fat of the fowls, at 8d. sterling each pint -2 13 5 Ten stone weight of feathers, at 10s. per stone 5 0 0 £130 13 5 (r)