HIE JERSEY, ALDERXEY AXD ulERXSEY COJK 17 



level with the water's edge. . . . With regard to cli- 

 mate, it is mild and temperate, the heat never excessive, 

 nor yet the cold intense. The winters are such that it 

 is not a rare occurrence for one to pass by without a 

 flake of snow falling, or even the thermometer to 

 remain above freezing point. During the winter 

 months rain is most prevalent. 



.J: :i: :i* 4: '•• 



" When we consider the large population living on so 

 small a surface — that there are two inhabitants to every 

 acre — we almost wonder whence they derive their re- 

 sources ; but we must bear in mind that, although situ- 

 ated on a rocky bed, the soil of Jersey is particularly 

 rich, and highly productive. The rock is of the primary 

 formation, void of any organic remains, chiefly granite, 

 syenite, gneiss, porphyry and schist, with other varieties 

 belonging to this series. It might be supposed that the 

 fact of the soil reposing on so rocky a bottom might 

 produce meagreness, but it is not the case. The soil is 

 a rich loam, varying in lightness in accordance with the 

 stratum beneath it ; if granite or syenite, it is lighter 

 than where the other varieties of rock are found. The 

 cause to which this difference is attributable is, that 

 immediately between the granite and cultivated soil is 

 a layer of coarse gravel, which acts as constant drain- 

 age, whereas where the granite and syenite disappear 

 no gravel is found, but a light clay forms the layer 

 between the soil and rock. As a general rule, the east- 

 ern district of the island may be said to belong to the 



