FLORA OF HERM. 367 



recent introduction, because such a strikingly noticeable plant 

 could not possibly have escaped the observation of all the 

 botanists who have visited Herm during the last twenty or 

 thirty years. But Iioav it got there is a puzzle ; perhaps it 

 may have been cultivated somewhere for culinary purposes ; 

 or, might some of the head-bulbils have been brought over by 

 birds from its Guernsey station at Fort George ? At any 

 rate Allium Ampeloprasum is now firmly established in Herm, 

 and will doubtless spread. 



Many of the wild plants are much more common here 

 than in any of the larger Sarnian islands, and although none 

 are peculiar to Herm, two species (Silene nutans and Picris 

 hieracioides) are not found at all in Guernsey, though they 

 grow in Alderney. It may be interesting for future study to 

 preserve a few particulars taken from my note-book, on the 

 relative frequency of some of the more uncommon species 

 which have already been recorded for Herm, but without 

 sufficient details of distribution. 



Ranunculus parviflorus. Occurs in many places ; sometimes abundantly. 

 More common in Herm than anywhere else in our area. 



Thlaspi arvense. In profusion in cultivated fields at the top of the island. 



Silene nutans. More or less abundant all over the cliffs, and also at 

 Moncue. This plant is decidedly the most interesting phanerogam in 

 the Herm flora, as its headquarters are in this little island ; the only 

 other place in our area in which it occurs is Alderney, where it grows in 

 two or three localities. In Guernsey it is unknown. 



Seleranthus annuus. Very rare ; in a dry field near the Mansion. This 

 is also a very rare species in Guernsey and Alderney ; more common in 

 Sark. 



MedieagO lupulina and M. maeulata. In view of the absence in iSark 

 of both these generally common plants, it is worth noting that in Herm 

 they are as plentiful as usual. 



Arthrolobium ebraeteatum. Abundant in the large quarry at Moncue, 

 and on a dry bank at the upper end of a field near there ; also occurs in 

 good quantity on one part of the east cliffs. 



Prunus spinosa. Very abundant, growing in extensive patches both in 

 the interior and on the cliffs. These dense blackthorn copses afford 

 good shelter and excellent hiding places for the Kangaroos, which have 

 now become quite naturalised in Herm. There are at present, it is said, 

 about forty of these animals in the island, and one man told me he has 

 seen as many as eighteen at a time. 



Poterium sanguisorba. Plentiful on the Common. 



Saxifraga tridaetylites. On the Common, here and there. 



BupleUPUm aristatum. Abundant on the eastern side of the Common. 



Smyrnium Olusatrum. A very plentiful roadside and hedge plant, 

 especially in the interior. 



Galium niollugO. As common as in Guernsey. This is worth noting, as 

 it is very rare in Alderney. 



Dipsaeus sylvestris. Generally distributed throughout the island. 



