484 
NATURE 
[JuLY 1, 1915 

Such are the biological questions which, as Mr. 
Lloyd Praeger remarks, have led many naturalists 
to study islands. He recalls Alphonse de Candolle, 
Edward Forbes, Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel 
Wallace, and Sir J. D. Hooker; and many other 
names might be cited. The same old questions led 
a number of naturalists in 1909 to plan and in- 
augurate the survey of Clare Island, which has 
now been completed to the great credit of all 
concerned. The island was chosen because of its 
suitable size and position, because of its unusual 
elevation as compared with most of the islands 
lying off the west coast of Ireland, and for various 
practical reasons. 
Clare Island lies across the entrance to Clew 
Bay, at about the middle of the great projecting 
buttress of ancient rocks which forms west 
Galway and west Mayo. It is almost cliff-bound, 
the cliffs varying from 50-100 ft. in the east and 
south to 1000 ft. in the north-west. The domi- 
nating feature is the high ridge of Croaghmore 
(1520 ft.) on the north-western shore. “On the 
inland (southern) side Croaghmore presents a 
steep heathery slope, and on the seaward face 
plunges down a magnificent precipice into the 
Atlantic.’ Its scarp is the home of a very in- 
teresting Alpine flora, and affords a sanctuary of 
wildness to many animals which could not survive 
the close grazing of other parts of the island. 
The adjoining islands of Inishturk and Inishbofin, 
which are included in the survey, are in a general 
way similar to Clare Island, but with no such 
lofty elevations. 
The survey had two main objects in view :— 
(1) The study of the fauna and flora of this ex- 
treme verge of the European continent, and (2) the c. 
study of an insular area with reference to the 
special problems of island life and of the dispersal 
of organisms. As regards the first object, the 
results have far exceeded expectations, but as 
regards the second there was some disappoint- 
ment. 
A geological study of the area showed that it was 
not only probable, but almost certain, that a land- 
connection between the island and the mainland 
existed long after the Glacial period, which would 
have permitted of the immigration of much of the 
present fauna and flora after normal climatic condi- 
tions were resumed. 
In short, the investigators soon found that they 
had to do with an assemblage of animals and 
plants that had not crossed even a few miles 
of sea. 
As regards the fauna and flora in general, excluding 
winged animals and spore-plants, there is practical 
unanimity of opinion, resting on varied evidence from 
many different groups, that the narrow strait of sea 
which separates Clare Island from the mainland re- 
presents a very serious barrier to migration, and one 
across which the existing fauna and flora of the 
island, taken as a whole, could not have passed. 
If the study of Clare Island as an island was 
rather negative, the other aim of the survey was 
realised in a manner positive enough to delight 
everyone, and some indication must be given of 
the number of additions made to the fauna and 
NO. 2383, VOL. 95| 

flora of Ireland and of the British Isles, and of 
the number of species discovered which were new 
to science. No fewer than 3219 plants were re- 
corded, of which 585 were new to Ireland, fifty-five 
new to the British Isles, and eleven new to science. 
No fewer than 5269 animals were recorded, of 
which 1253 were new to Ireland, 343 new to the 
British Isles, and 109 new to science. This is a 
very gratifying result, and shows how many new 
forms of life still lie to be discovered not very 
far from our doors. It is pleasant to read that 
“almost the whole survey was carried out by 
| volunteers, whose field-work had to be done in 

Photo.) [R. Welch. 
Fic. 1.—Signal Tower Head, Clare Island. Silurian cliffs, 700 ft. high. Look- 
ing north. From ‘‘ Clare Island Survey.” 
their own time, and, to a great extent, with their 
own money.” 
There are sixty-eight reports altogether, so 
that it would take considerable space even to 
mention subjects and authors. We are tempted 
to remark on the Foraminifera dealt with by 
Messrs. Heron-Allen and Earland (recording 287 
species, thirteen new); on the Rhizopods_ by 
Messrs. Wailes and Penard (recording 129 species, 
five new); on the Flagellates and Ciliates dealt 
with by Mr. Dunkerly (recording ninety-eight 
species, many of them very interesting forms) ; 
on the marine sponges described by Miss Stephens 
(sixty-five species, including the new and interest- 
