and particularly the Island of St, George, 335 



in building sloops, which has been the principal branch of 

 the industry of the Berraudians for a long period. These 

 vessels are remarkable for their quick sailing, and last 

 for a long time. It is said, however, that they are more 

 liable to go to pieces than oak vessels when they strike. 

 Six luggers, or cutters, from 120 to 140 tons, and copper- 

 bottomed, have been built at the Bermudas by order of the 

 English government. 



The cedar tree is the sole riches of the inhabitants ; and 

 the fortune of every individual is estimated by the number 

 of trees he possesses. They are sold on the ground at a gui- 

 nea each. 



1 was told there were no quadrupeds natural to the coun- 

 try. The only birds I saw in the woods were, the cardinal, 

 loxia cardinaliSy and the blue bird, motacilla sialis, which 

 they say belongs to the continent of North America. 



Every year, in the months of March and April, the Ca- 

 chalot whales approach very near the shores, where some of 

 the inhabitants, but particularly the men of colour, fish for 

 them. 



The shell-fish which are most common belong to the 

 genera of turbo, donax, and mytilla. The latter are very 

 abundant, and arc only 5 or (> lines long. 



Agriculture, which is now entirely neglected in the Ber- 

 -mudas, once flourished there, as is proved by the records 

 of the custom-house, which mention the quantity of sugar 

 and wines annually exported from the colony. The present 

 inhabitants employ the small number of negrf>es they possess 

 in cultivating pot-herbs and maize, and in feeding poultry. 

 They have very few cattle or horses, and I saw only about 

 a dozen cows on the island, which were deriving a scanty 

 maintenance from the medkago 1 have mentioned. In the 

 country there are enclosures which might form a better sort 

 of pasturage, but they are all planted with cedar trees. ^ Pro- 

 visions of every kind are so rare, and so dear, thai the ships 

 of war which are constantly arriving at ilie Bermudas can 

 only procure potatoes and onions. 



There is but one kind of stone in the island, which i» 

 found in great abundance a few feet below the surface. 



Upon 



