By PHILIPPA JAMIESON*
If you're looking for an entertaining, intelligent, satisfying read, try this wonderfully evocative memoir. Reflections on a Summer Sea is the story of a group of English scientists who spent almost 50 summers carrying out research at a unique marine lake in Ireland. The author reminisces about the
personalities, the experiments, local eccentrics, and life in rural Cork in the 60s.
In 1925, a laboratory was set up on the shores of Lough Ine (rhymes with wine), a saltwater lake joined to the sea by a narrow channel. In the late 30s research on the lake's ecosystem intensified. Trevor Norton arrived as a student in 1964 and became a senior member of the research team.
Norton conveys the wonder of the natural world in a way accessible to the layperson with an eye for detail and enthusiasm for his subjects. Studies were carried out on a shoestring, but surprisingly accurate measurements were produced with rudimentary equipment and a bit of ingenuity.
Much more than a natural history, Reflections weaves together local legends, snippets of songs, a dash of politics and delightful descriptions of everyday life. The book is enhanced by charming black and white line drawings by Win Norton, the author's wife, who also took part in the research.
A strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie developed over the years, then waned. Jack Kitching and John Ebling were the two key scientists involved, and while their complementary personalities enabled a good partnership for many years, it deteriorated towards the end. I felt uncomfortable reading some of their personal correspondence, but part of Norton's even-handed treatment is to reproduce their words.
As times changed, money exerted a greater influence and frequent pressure to secure funding took its toll. "Excellent research at the lough continues," Norton writes, "but there is no place in modern ecology for the leisurely and pleasant world he [Kitching] built, and science is the poorer for it."
Warm, funny and nostalgic, Reflections comments on the changes we have made in our relationships with other people and with the natural world.
Arrow Books
$26.95
* Philippa Jamieson is a Dunedin freelance writer.
