A Comparative Study of the Lakes of Scotland and Denmark

Abstract

In June 1904 I received an invitation from Sir John Murray to visit Scotland and spend three or four weeks in exploring the Scottish lakes, in order to make a comparison between them and the Danish lakes : he was of opinion that such a comparison of the lakes of a highland and a lowland country, which had hitherto not been attempted, would lead to some interesting results. The admirable bathymetrical and physical explorations carried on by Sir John Murray in Scotland, and more especially in Loch Ness, being far advanced, the question as to the scope of the biological observations called for consideration ; so he desired me to indicate, from the impressions derived during my visit, my views as to the most useful lines of investigation that might be taken up with reference to the biology of the Scottish lakes. I was much interested in the task imposed upon me, and at the same time gratified at the prospect of assisting in the design of the biological explorations in the lakes of a foreign country ; and as it was of the greatest significance to me to learn the nature of alpine lakes, I immediately accepted the invitation. I spent three weeks in Scotland,—the first two at, Fort Augustus, on Loch Ness, and the third in Edinburgh. From Fort Augustus I explored the lakes of the Caledonian Canal, and thus became acquainted with alpine lakes; from Edinburgh I explored a few lowland lakes, especially Loch Leven. The steamer Mermaid, belonging to the Marine Biological Station at Millport, fully equipped for deep-sea work, under the direction of Dr Gemmill, was sent into the Caledonian Canal, and many hauls were taken with the dredge and trawl, as well as with different kinds of tow-nets, in Lochs Lochy, Oich, and Ness, down to the greatest depths (500 and 750 feet).