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like the melon, the generations can be rapidly repeated,
and when the produce goes hand in hand with each
successive generation. Thus, possibly even the pine
of Norfolk Island might become a British tree,
although many years’ toil would be requisite to attain
the end.”
I cannot inteoduce better than at the conclusion of
this chapter, in which 1 have been speaking of the
natural productions which are matured in the open
ffir in Guernsey, a short sketch of the climate of the
island, with its effect on human health and life, the
data for which, have been furnished to me by my
much esteemed friend, Mr. S. E. Hoskins, whose
high and acknowledged attainments, and extensive
medical practice, have well qualified him for the performance
of this act of kindness.
“ The climate of Guernsey bears a great affinity
to that of the south-west coast of England: Dr.
Clark considers it as intermediate between that, and
the western parts of France. There is no doubt
however, that it is milder than the latter in winter,’
and considerably warmer at all seasons, than the
southern coast of Devonshire, without however being
more h um id ,-a character which it has rather undeservedly
acquired. The atmosphere is not so confined,
nor has it the ‘ aguish disposition’ of Hastings—and
whilst the climate is as mild and quite as salubrious as
that of the Isle of Wight, the island is preferable to
Under-chff, on account of the superior accommodations
obtainable for invalids. The temperature is
subject to frequent, but not extensive variations ; the
thermometer seldom rises above 80 degrees of Farenheit,
seldom falls as low as 37 degrees, and never
remains long stationary, at the freezing point. Taking-
one year with anothei, the mean annual temperature
may be quoted at three degrees lower than that of
Jersey.
“ The heat of summer is tempered by a gentle sea
breeze; and like all other maritime situations, tlie
cold of winter is mitigated by caloric, imparted to the
atmosphere from the surrounding ocean. Frosts are
neither severe nor durable :—indeed whole winters
often pass away without a single fall of snow. The
luxuriance of the various exotics which flourish unguarded,
at all seasons in the open air, afford evidence
of the mildness of the climate. The white double
rose camellia, blooms abundantly in tbe month of
November ; and orange trees endure tlie winter, with
only a slight occasional covering of matting.
“ During the spring, easterly winds generally prevail
; while west, are the prevailing winds during the
rest of the year, as the shorn aspect of the trees, in
that direction of the coast, indicates. The frequent
transitions of temperature before alluded to, and the
prevalence of keen winds in the early part of the
year, render that season trying to persons whose
lungs are susceptible to such influences. But even
in so small an island, differences of climate are to be
met with.
“ The prevailing disease in Guernsey, is that protei-
form malady dyspepsia, popularly misnamed ‘ biliousness.’
It affects the peasantry more generally than
the town residents, in consequence no doubt of their
meagre diet,—their vegetable soup,—their tea, fish.
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