78 A VISIT TO JETHOU. 



disintegration can be seen all round the coast, but the 

 absence of springs and water-courses prevents its being very 

 rapid. On the S.E., opposite Fauconniere, is a capital rival of 

 the Creux Terrible in Sark, well worthy of examination. On 

 the plateau, heads of rock rise through the soil, and it appears 

 as though one or two masses had been placed near these in 

 such a position as to resemble a Druidical circle. 



Every visitor must have noticed the difference in the 

 vegetation on the different parts of the island. On the south 

 side, ground ivy (Nepeta glechoma), almost covered the 

 ground wherever there was sufficient soil, spreading under 

 the bracken ; yet in places, particularly on the S.E., sea stork's 

 bill (Er odium maritimnm), mostly of minute growth covered 

 large patches. On the north side, primroses were the 

 characteristic plant, there must have been a splendid show in 

 the spring. Erythrcea centaurium and Teucrium scorodonia 

 were abundant, on these a-side, thrift (Armeria maritima), 

 and sea campion were plentiful, but there was a remarkable 

 absence of samphire. The crevices of the rocks were well 

 supplied with Asplenium lanceolatum and nigrum. A. mari- 

 timnm was plentiful among the lower rocks. Near the 

 houses a coarser vegetation prevailed, burdock (Arctium 

 lappa) was abundant. 



From the paper read by Mr. E. D. Marquand, it will be 

 seen that during the few hours spent on the island, 135 species 

 of flowering plants and 7 ferns were found on Jethou ; and on 

 Crevichon 32 plants and 6 ferns. 



Rabbits are very numerous, so numerous indeed that 

 they have to be supplied with food in winter. A good many 

 blind worms or slow worms (Angtds fragilis) were seen ; 

 Mr. Luff captured one which, since it has been in his posses- 

 sion has cast its skin, the after portion of it coming off in 

 one piece. Insect life did not appear abundant, though the 

 cinnabar moth was common. 



After the tide had receded, a large party passed over to 

 Crevichon, ascending to the beacon. Here quarrying has 

 been carried on, and many worked stones were lying about. 

 That period of active life on the rock may account for the 

 increased number of plants now found there compared with 

 those seen by Professor Babington at his visit. Two capital 

 echoes were noticed during the day. The best was from 

 Crevichon, the sounds being repeated from Jethou, and 

 various points in Herm; the other on Jethou opposite 

 Fauconniere repeating six sounds. Though there is no hotel 

 on the island, the people in charge supplied hot or cold water 



