On the Natural History of Keryuelcii s Island. 289 



Cryptogamia here than were found by the Antarctic Expedition 

 at the north of the island ; but there are fewer species of Mosses, 

 Lichens, and Algas. Their paucity, in comparison with those of the 

 other district, is probably due to the nature of the rocks on land, 

 and to the seclusion of the bay from the open sea. The additions 

 to the flora are for the most part Falkland-Islands species. 



In speaking of the climate, it may be mentioned that the plants 

 of Kerguelen's Island are not (as was supposed) in flower through- 

 out the year ; but probably some of them do not cease flowering 

 until late in the winter. When we first arrived in Royal Sound the 

 ground was covered with snow, and scarcely any thing had begun 

 to come out. The Pringlea was far advanced in bud, barely com- 

 mencing to blossom. The Accena was just beginning to burst into 

 leaf. About the first week in November, Festuca Coolcii came out, 

 and, a few days later, Azorella selago. The young fronds of the 

 ferns were just about to unroll. In the third week of the same 

 month, Montia fontana and Accena affinis were in flower in a 

 sheltered spot, and Leptinella plumosa was first found in blossom. 

 Galium antarcticum appeared about the same date. A week later, 

 Ranunculus hydrophUus and a Festuca (purpurascens?) were out, 

 and Lycopodium clavatum was sprouting. By the middle of the 

 month, Triodia and Lyallia kerguelensis and also Ranunculus cras- 

 slpes were in flower, the Pringlea was everywhere past flowering 

 (excepting upon the mountains), and Aira antarctica began to 

 shoot forth its panicles. Before the end of the month a Carex 

 came out ; but Bulliarda and other plants delayed still. 



A few species of Mammals have been introduced into the 

 island. Mice (evidently Mus musculus, L.) are common along the 

 coast, and have been found by us in various places. The Rabbits, 

 transported by order of the Admiralty from the convict settlement 

 in Table Bay, have been landed by H.M.S. ' Volage ' in Royal Sound. 

 They share with the birds holes of the Petrels, and are (it is almost 

 superfluous to mention) propagating freely. Their favourite food 

 is the Accena ; but they occasionally eat l J rin;/lea-le&\es and gnaw 

 away the green surface of Azorella. In the Crozettes. whose 

 climate and flora are said to resemble those of this island, rabbits 

 have become extremely abundant, and so rank and coarse that 

 the sealers will not eat them. Goats are increasing in numbers 

 on the leeward side of the mainland. 



"Whales and Porpoises occasionally enter the Sound. Old skulls 

 of the latter, wanting the lower jaw, are cast up here and there 

 on the beaches. 



Up to the present time, I have captured only two species of 

 Seals — a female Sea-leopard and two males of a Platyrhine Seal. 

 The other kinds frequent the more open parts of the coast and 

 islands. 



Twenty-two species of birds at the fewest, perhaps twenty- 

 three, frequent Royal Sound, viz. a Chionis, a Cormorant, a Teal, 

 a Tern, a Gull, a Skua, eleven (perhaps twelve) Petrels, two Alba- 

 trosses, and three (perhaps four) Penguins. Of these, I have pro- 



