384 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
some of the commoner ferns, such as Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, and 
Scolopendrium vulgare , are to be found growing in the greatest luxuriance. 
Guernsey exhibits this richness of vegetation in a much greater degree 
than any of the other islands ; the reason being that its more seaward 
situation brings it more decidedly under the warming influence of the 
gulf stream, at the same time removing it further from the disturbing in- 
fluence which the proximity of a great continent must to some extent pro- 
duce. The tables of temperature given in the work before us exhibit very 
clearly the remarkable equability of climate enjoyed by the Channel 
Islands, and by Guernsey more particularly. For details we must refer 
the reader to the work itself ; but the following table will show at a glance 
sufficient reason for this remarkable luxuriance of vegetation : — 
Greenwich. Guernsey. 
Mean temperature of 
Spring months (March, April, May) . . 46 , 9° 47'7° 
Summer months (June, July, August) . . flO’G 0 59‘9° 
Autumn months (Sept., Oct,, Nov.) . . 49"9° 53'8° 
Winter months (Dec., Jan., Feb.) . . . 38 - 2° 44‘2° 
The lists of the flora and fauna given by Mr. Ansted, though the work 
of many able hands, are confessedly incomplete, excepting those of the 
flowering plants and ferns, which are all based upon Mr. Babington’s 
“Primitise Flone Sarnicse.” The catalogue of seaweeds includes two 
hundred and twenty-two species, — an extensive list, the whole number of 
recorded British species being about three hundred and ninety. The islet 
of Herm is not represented in this list, and from our own gatherings there 
we can add the following species : — Callithamnion floridulum (very abun- 
dant), Cladophora diffusa, and G. gracilis, Elachistea pidvinata and E. scutu- 
lata, Leathesia tubcriformis, Melobesia calcarea, M. lichenoides, &c., Mesogloia 
virescens, and several others. It is worthy of notice, however, that the 
red algse in Herm are mostly very poor in colour, owing to the deficiency 
of shelter from sunlight : they are more frequently yellow or green than 
red, except on the east coast, where the rocks offer more shade. The lists 
of Crustacea, both stalk-eyed and sessile-eyed, are also very imperfect. 
Amongst the former, for example, of the genus Pagurus, only two species 
are given : in addition to these we may name P. Icevis, Hyndmanni, 
cuanensis, and ferruginens. But, notwithstanding unavoidable imper- 
fections of this kind, the lists are very valuable as an attempt to illustrate 
thoroughly the botany and zoology of the islands, and will form an admi- 
rable nucleus around which the discoveries of other observers may be 
gathered. 
We have already noticed the peculiarities of the Channel Island 
scenery, and have not space for more than the following short extract, 
nearly to the level, of the surrounding rock. A more favourable condition 
for fern growth it is impossible to conceive ; the successive growth and decay 
of the leaves producing a constantly accumulating rich and loose soil, while 
the sides of the rock crevices afforded abundant shelter. 
