104 HAPPY HUNTING-GROUNDS 



Fern (Osmunda Regalis) by the persistent digging up 

 of roots. I need not say how whole-heartedly I sym- 

 pathise with his views, and applaud his caution in not 

 specifying the particular localities where rare species 

 may be found. The Osmunda has been eradicated in 

 the same way in many places in my beloved Argyll- 

 shire, and I made my own protest in a former volume. 



The climate of Sark is far more bracing than that 

 of Guernsey, and a fortiori of Jersey ; indeed the 

 quality of the air of the high tableland surrounded by 

 sea is such that the late Dr. Chepmell no mean 

 authority himself a native of the Channel Islands, 

 used to declare that it was the healthiest spot within 

 a thousand miles of London. The marine zoologist 

 finds a rich field for his labours. Crustacea of various 

 kinds abound round the submerged rocks which fringe 

 the coast, the lobster-fishing being particularly good. 

 Many varieties of octopods frequent the bays and pools, 

 and the scene of Victor Hugo's great description of a 

 combat with a devil-fish in the Travailleurs de la Mer 

 is laid in the immediate neighbourhood. I never, 

 however, had the good or bad fortune to fall in with a 

 squid sufficiently large and formidable to account for 

 an absconding bankrupt, and retain and preserve his 

 valuables and papers for future production when the 

 exigencies of the situation require such a marine Deus 

 ex machina. 



Beautiful shells abound on the shore, and that 

 curious univalve, the ormer, known as Venus's ear, may 

 be found adhering to the boulders at low spring tides, 

 and is much sought after for food. I have eaten these 

 molluscs, but did not care much for them, although 

 they are considered a great delicacy by the natives. 



