416 A. E. Verrill — The Bermuda Islands. 



Many of these fishes take the hook readily, and afford excellent 

 sport for those who are fond of sea-fishing. Among those that are 

 most esteemed for the table are the Green Angel-fishes, Kockfishes, 

 sometimes of great size, Groupers, Grunts of several kinds, Snappers, 

 Bonito, Guelly, Hogfish, Amberfish, Gogglers, and many other. 



Part I. — General Descriptions of the Scenery, Climate, Harbors, 

 Waters, Vegetation, Birds, Roads, Historical Localities, Ruined 

 Forts, etc. 



These islands are situated east of the main current of the Gulf 

 Stream, but yet so near it that their shores are always bathed in the 

 pure blue, warm Gulf Stream water, and for this reason the climate 

 is remarkably equable for this latitude. Frost is practically 

 unknown, though light frosts have occurred a very few times, at 

 long intervals. Temperatures slightly below 50° F. are not infre- 

 quent in winter. 



The winter months and March are cool, the average temperature 

 being from 59.5° to 60.5° F. and there are many chill} r , windy, and 

 rainy days, especially with northerly winds, when one needs thick 

 clothing out of doors, and artificial heat within. Indeed, many vis- 

 itors from the north find it much cooler than they had expected, and 

 are disappointed in not being able to wear thin clothes all the time. 

 It is not well to trust in this case too much to the, poetic descriptions 

 of enthusiasts. Persons in feeble health should always secure rooms 

 that can be heated when necessary and should have woolen clothing. 

 April and May, and the first half of June, are the most delightful 

 months. In midsummer the air becomes very moist and sultry, but 

 not very hot, seldom exceeding 87° F. The climate will be more 

 fully discussed in a later chapter.* 



The Bermudas are nearly due east of Charleston, S. C, and 575 

 nautical miles from Cape Hatteras, which is the nearest land. From 



*The following lines, from a beautiful poem of Thomas Moore, would indi- 

 cate a warmer climate than actually exists there, especially at the season when 

 he wrote, for he was in Bermuda only from January to the 5th of May : — 

 '• No, ne'er did the wave in its element steep 



An island of lovelier charms : 



It blooms in the giant embrace of the deep, 



Like Hebe in Hercules' arms. 



The blush of ymi i' bowers is light to the eye, 



And their melody halm to the ear ; 



But the fiery plaint of day is too high, 



And the Snow Spirit never comes here." 



