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THE "NATURALIST'S" HERAINE. 



I HAVE received the two subjoined letters^ on the subject of the "an- 

 nexation" of Guernsey and the other Channel Islands, Entomologically as 

 well as Botanically, Conchologically and Politically, to Great Britain: — 



1. — "I am amused, nay indignant, at the position Mr. Stainton has 

 assumed regarding Jersey, its insects, etc., and especially at the highly un- 

 gentlemanly manner in which he has treated our Editor, and make bold to 

 say that I represent the opinion of the whole body of your readers, nem 

 con, in being fully persuaded of the soundness of your views on that 

 subject, and unhesitatingly declaring the 'Northern Divine' in the right." 

 — W. S. 



2. — "I cannot agree with you about the Channel Islands, 'Jersey, Guern- 

 sey, Alderney, and Sark, which are all that England retains of Normandy.' 

 That was taught me at school. These islands are in a French bay; be- 

 fore the reformation they were in a French diocese; and are now governed 

 by Norman law. Not knowing what botanists or conchologists think of 

 the matter I will answer your queries by others: — 



1. — In reply to the question whether the Shetland or Channel Islands are 

 farthest from Britain, I ask to what main-land are they respectively nearest? 



2. — I have before me King John's will. He is 'Rex Ang: Dom. Hib: 

 Dux Norm: et Acquit: Com: An.' If Her Majesty were still Duchess 

 of Normandy and Acquitaine, and Countess of Anjou, would you account 

 the productions of those places British? 



3. — Now if you say no to that, I retort your own queries, 



4. — Suppose an elevatory movement to lay dry the British Channel, to 

 which country would you conscientiously assign the little hills which would 

 appear in the plain? 



0. — Why do you stop at the Channel Islands? Why not include He- 

 ligoland? Why not Bermuda, or Jamaica? 



6. — Yet more about Orkney and Shetland. Suppose Denmark or Nor- 

 •way to redeem them by cashing up the sum for which they were mortgaged 

 in the fifteenth century, do you think their productions should be accounted 

 Danish or Norse, instead of British? 



7. — If you were writing the Natural History of Durham, would you 

 include a plant only found at Creyke, till lately, part of that county, 

 though detached forty miles from it?" — Yours truly, W. Gray. 



The former of these two communications speaks for itself; the latter 

 requires a word or two of comment: — 



I am quite sure that Mr. Gray is too good and able a lawyer to in- 

 struct a client to "do as he says" in his letter. He knows as well as 



