49 
Upon a new species of “ Alpheus” discovered upon the coast of 
“ Herm” (Channel Islands). By W.V. Guise, Esq., F.G.S. 
Reap 9TH May 1854. 
In the course of an excursion to the Channel Islands, under- 
taken last summer with a view to natural-history pursuits, I 
spent three days in the little islet of Herm, which, though a 
mere rock, scarcely three miles in circumference, is equalled by 
few spots of similar extent within the area of the British seas, in 
respect of the rich field it offers for the researches of the marine 
naturalist. 
The Channel Islands, though an appanage of the crown of 
Great Britain, are, geographically speaking, rather a part of 
France than of England ; and this situation, in a sort of debate- 
able ground, may perhaps in some degree account for the fact 
of their natural history having been to a certain extent over- 
looked by the naturalists of both countries ; though few districts 
can be expected to yield a richer harvest to the scientific inves- 
tigator, constituting as they do the northern limit to many 
Mediterranean forms, which, here found flourishing in full 
vigour, and showing no signs of decrepitude, dwarfishness or 
decay, suddenly disappear, and find no footing upon our side of 
the Channel. This is well known to be the case amongst the 
testaceous Mollusca; and there is little reason to doubt, that 
researches prosecuted amongst the other kingdoms of nature 
would be rewarded by the discovery of many novel and import- 
ant facts. 
Amongst the Crustacea, to which I propose especially to direct 
your attention, it is only necessary to refer to the discovery of 
the singular and beautiful “ Phyllosoma sarniense,” figured and 
described by Mr. C. F. Lukis in the 8th volume of ‘ Loudon’s 
Magazine of Natural History,’ which example, still I believe 
unique, has its only analogues in one Mediterranean species, and 
in a few others confined to tropical areas. 
I propose now to lay before you another Crustacean, which it 
has been my good fortune to obtain in a tide-pool at low water 
on the islet of Herm, and which, from its immediate recognition 
as the “‘red shrimp” by the fisherman who accompanied me, I 
have reason to believe is not of unfrequent occurrence. My first 
idea was, that I had obtained “ Alpheus ruber,” itself a great 
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