The materiel for the rockwork was taken from the beach at Seafield, where the masses lie in abundance, presenting the most varied and fantastic shapes, and closely covered with lichen of every hue. The quantity conveyed thence, a distance of three miles, amounts to 130 tons; and the whole has cost about 100l. Considerable difficulty was experienced in making the pond retentive, the subsoil being open; but layers of strong clay were superadded, to the thickness of 2 ft., and now no drainage is perceptible. The pond was at first filled from a pump well; and is supplied, as required, from the same source. In dry weather, occasional pumping is necessary; but in rain, or when the atmosphere is moist, none is required. A lead cistern, the size of a puncheon, is placed at the well; and an inch pipe, attached to the bottom, is carried under ground to the pond: fifteen minutes' work fills the cistern; and, if the plug is withdrawn, the water will continue to flow for an hour, rising up and forcing its way through the rocks to the pond. Perch, trout, and goldfish, all pretty large, and nearly of a size, are in the pond at present: the two latter kinds do not succeed so well; but the perch thrive remarkably: they are so familiar as to feed from the hand, and will even catch at the finger if thrust in the water. Such a piece of scenery as now described, and of which two views (figs. 14, 15.) are annexed, would form an interesting appendage to any garden, lawn, or shrubbery; and the lover of the picturesque would be amply compensated for the outlay and attention bestowed, by the daily treat it is capable of affording. The aquatic and rock plants, the finny race, and the different species and varieties of the winged tribes, formerly "far to seek, and ill to find," would thereby be brought within the range of every day's observation, and made subservient to purposes at once entertaining and instructive.
