Notwithstanding this relief, the fisheries of the Scilly Isles are capable of much extension, and although the expense incident to the necessary outfit would be considerable, yet the advantages to the inhabitants would be incalculable. The importance of this subject has been very ably brought to notice by the Rev. George Woodley, Missionary from the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, and Minister of St. Agnes and St. Martin’s, in his work on the State of the Scilly Islands, which was published in the year 1822.
Various species of fish are to be caught by the hook and line at these islands during the season, and which are salted by the inhabitants for winter consumption.
A very curious fact is also noticed respecting the arrival of the woodcock, in Scilly, that they are generally to be had there before any other place in England. Owing to the great distance they are supposed to have travelled, great numbers have been taken by the natives, from their becoming exhausted; instances have also occurred of their falling dead by striking against the light-house, the splendour of the lanthern no doubt having attracted them!
To the geologist, the Scilly Islands present but little to interest; at St. Mary’s are several beds of porphyry and clorite containing pyrites; the former are deserving of attention on account of their distinct appearance of stratification. The granite of the Lizard Point at the Island of Trescow, the felspar of which is of a pure white, might be advantageously employed in the China manufactories.
Appendix.
The interior of the church of St. Anthony, which is situated on the coast south of Falmouth, is highly deserving of notice from its style of architecture, the arch separating the nave being a fine specimen of Anglo-Norman workmanship.
In the parish of Luxilian is an immense pile of rocks, totally different from the Roach Rocks, yet extremely well worth seeing; they are seated on a considerable eminence, and many of the ponderous fragments have rolled into the valley beneath, presenting altogether a very singular appearance. In some places the stones very much resemble antient cromlechs.
Four-Hole Cross is situated about six miles on the right of the road leading from Bodmin to Lanson, and is considered one of the most interesting relics of antiquity in Cornwall; but the upper part, either from age or other causes, is not perfect.