432 



A. E. Verrill — The Bermuda Islam Is. 



appearance. Among these, the native Maiden-hair Fern, peculiar to 

 the Bermudas, is the most delicate and graceful. (Fig. 33.) 



Several species of Cactus or "prickly pear" (Opuntia) grow 

 commonly on the -walls and rocks by the roadsides. They bear large 

 yellow flowers, in their season, and dark red edible fruits. 



The singular Life Plant (Bryophyllum) covers the barren places, 

 rocks, and walls along the roads with its large fleshy leaves, and in 

 the spring it sends up tall spikes of pink bell-shaped flowers. This 

 is the same plant that is cultivated with us as a house-plant, partly 



f 



Figui'e 11. — Quarrying Limestone with chisels and saws. 



on account of its singular power of putting forth several complete 

 young plants from the edges of a cut leaf, when laid on tin- Surface 

 of the earth. It is very much at home in Bermuda and spreads 

 rapidly. It serves well to cover unsightly or barren places, for it 

 appears to be able to grow on almost bare rocks. (Plate lxxiv, fig. 2.) 

 The underbrush along the roads is composed largely of the 

 naturalized shrubby Lantanas, which bear a profusion of bright 

 orange or red flowers. It i> here called "Sage Bush," and in some 

 places it has become a troublesome weed, as in many tropical coun- 

 tries, but it is very useful in binding the drifting sands. 



