220 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



The island is strongly fortified, and has barrack 

 accommodation for troops. There is a large squarely- 

 built house known as the Steep Holm Hotel, at 

 which the inner man may be cared for. To botanists 

 this spot is sacred, as being the only part in Great 

 Britain where the wild preony finds its natural home. 

 It flourishes in the interstices of the rocks, in posi- 

 tions which are practically inaccessible, unless more 

 than ordinary risk be run to obtain a specimen. 



Totally unfit for agricultural purposes, the island 



purposes is considered a portion of St. Mary's parish, 

 Cardiff. 



As indicated by its name, it presents features quite 

 distinct from its neighbour. In shape it is nearly 

 circular, being about 700 yards from north to south, 

 and from 500 to 600 yards from east to west. The 

 beds of rock dip gently to the south-west, and on the 

 western side, where they form a long shelving beach, 

 they may be studied in detail for a considerable 

 distance. 



Fig. 134. — Lithostrotion basaltiforme. 



Fig. 135. — Fcncstella plehcia. 



Fig. 137. — Euomfihalus Fig. 138. — Tcrcbratula 



pentangiilatus. liastata. 



Fig. 136. — Froductus giganteus. Fig. i^y—Rhynchoru-Utip'curoJoii. 



Characteristic Fossils of the drloniferous Limestone. (.From Taylor's "Common British Fossils.'') 



affords pasturage for a few sheep ; the grass growing 

 most luxuriantly here, even at times when the sister 

 island is much impoverished in this respect. The con- 

 formation of the surface, however, makes the pursuit 

 not entirely free from risk, as the animals are liable to 

 stray to parts from whence they cannot be recovered, 

 and should a strong gale arise, a not unfrequent 

 occurrence, they most probably fall victims to their 

 temerity. 



The flat holm lies about two and a-half miles to 

 the north of the steep holm, and for parochial 



In the east, the island attains an altitude of about 

 150 feet ; the soil is capable of cultivation to a limited 

 extent ; but the raising and fattening of stock and 

 the production of vegetables are the chief industries 

 pursued for the greater portion of the year. 1 luring 

 the winter months fishing for sprats and cod is carried 

 on at both islands ; but of late years these have been 

 comparative failures, probably owing to the large 

 number of steam vessels frequenting these waters. 



Like the steep holm, it is strongly fortified, and 

 has a lighthouse fitted with a lantern having all the 



