Manchester Memoirs, Vol. Hi. (1908), No. 0. 9 



years ago it was the only species on the island," is mis- 

 leading. The Black Rat occurs and has occurred regularl}' 

 or occasionally in many localities in our islands ; it is not 

 a native, and therefore reached Lundy on shipboard, 

 where it has been noticed from time to time for at least 

 150 years, but the island can hardly be called its last 

 refuge. 



The melanic variety of LIiis norvcgicus, formerly 

 known as liliis hibcriiicits, Thompson, was recorded by 

 H. J. Charbonnier (7) ; he received an example in 

 November, 1891, which had been shot on Lundy. 



Rabbits are mentioned in the earliest accounts of 

 Lundy ; in an Inquisition made in 1274, the annual take 

 of Rabbits is estimated at 2,000, 5/6 per 100 skins being 

 the value, as the flesh was not sold, and in an even earlier 

 13th century deed they are also mentioned as a valuable 

 asset. Later we find frequent references to " Connies in 

 great store," " conies very plentiful," and " stores of conies." 

 They are still plentiful, especially on the west coast, where 

 the thrift-grown turf is honeycombed with burrows. In 

 the spring many of the burrows are the homes of puffins, 

 but at the time of our visit the Rabbits were in sole 

 possession. 



Chanter's reference to Seals is as follows : — " Seals 

 frequent the Island in considerable numbers. The only 

 species identified is the common spotted seal, PJioca 

 vitulina. No less than five have been killed at one time 

 in the Seal Cavern, which is their principal place of resort ; 

 but they have much diminished during the last few years, 

 owing to their reckless persecution b}- the crews of pilot 

 and tug-boats." 



Page (6) refers to " PJioca vitulina, or the grey seal," and 

 adds, "there is one fine old fellow who cannot be caught. 

 He is called by the islanders ' Ponto,' and they say he is 



