A VISIT TO JETHOU. 77 



Windmill were the only objects visible towards Guernsey, yet 

 the coast of Herm, with an approaching Great Western 

 packet, were perfectly clear. A very pretty picture was 

 presented on the coast of Sark, when the cliffs under the 

 Coupee, with a small circle of beautifully blue water at the 

 base, were seen encircled by the white fog: the coast of 

 France, at the time, was perfectly clear. 



Jethou is an islet due east of St. Peter-Port harbour, 

 distant about three miles : it lies to the south of Herm, and 

 a little west of the central line of that island, from which it is 

 separated by the navigable channel called the Perc£e. In 

 shape it is a truncated cone, the circle of its base measuring 

 one mile, width three-quarters of a mile, and the elevation 

 268 feet, is greater than that of Herm. It rises abruptly 

 everywhere, but especially so on the south. On the north- 

 west it is connected, at low water, by a rough beach with 

 a rock called Crevichon, and on the south-east is a smaller 

 mass Fauconniere, not quite joined at low water. South 

 of it, but separated by a navigable channel, extend the rocks 

 called the Ferriers. The sides of the island rise too steeply 

 to be capable of profitable cultivation ; though the soil, except 

 on the cliffs, is deep enough to support a plentiful crop of 

 fern and other herbage, with a close undergrowth of smaller 

 plants. 



On the south-east, opposite Fauconniere, the slope has 

 been cleared and formed into terraces, but these are no longer 

 planted. A small plateau, on the summit, is ploughed, and 

 at the time of our visit, was planted with corn, potatoes, &c. 

 The houses, three in number (one in ruins), are on the north 

 side, towards Crevichon and Herm, where a rough beach is 

 somewhat sheltered by the former island, and is, on that 

 account, the usual landing place. A number of trees have 

 been planted near the houses, but they are very stunted ; 

 a small orchard, however, appeared in fair condition. 



From specimens collected by Mr. A. Collenette, the rock 

 is evidently a syenite : in some parts in a state of disintegra- 

 tion, in others a compact solid rock ; having a peculiar 

 fracture, resulting in the frequent occurrence of tabular 

 masses often resting upon smaller pieces, and bearing a close 

 resemblance to the so-called Druids' altars ; two notable 

 examples of this occurred above our landing place, near 

 which also rose an immense block of solid rock about 25 feet 

 in height, by about 12 feet broad and thick, supported by 

 about a third of the width of its base, but kept from falling 

 by having a slight inclination landward. The process of 



