A. E. Verrill — The Bermuda Islands. 441 



Many other interesting trees and shrubs, some of them very rare, 

 and not to be found elsewhere on the islands, are found in the Wal- 

 singham woods, around the caves and among the rugged ledges. 

 This tract, unlike most parts of the islands, appears never to have 

 been entirely cleared of its original natural growth of vegetation, 

 and many foreign species were also early introduced here. About 

 25 species of native plants are nearly or quite restricted to this dis- 

 trict, including several ferns. The only native Yellow-wood tree 

 now known on the islands stands in this district, although it was 

 common at the time of the first settlements, and yielded a valuable 

 timber. (See Part III, Deforesting, ch. 26, c.) 



By the side of the house there is a good sized Date Palm. Coffee 

 trees, Olives, Orange trees, and Lemon trees are common, growing 

 wild in the woods. Near one of the roads there is a wonderful wild 

 tangle of the fragrant white Jasmine, which clambers over the ledges 

 and drapes the highest cedars to their very tops. 



On this estate are several large caverns and grottoes, hung with 

 huge stalactites. (Plates xc-xcii, see Geology.) One of these, which 

 has two entrances, has an earth floor, but the others have the floor 

 covered with a considerable depth of clear sea-water in which the 

 stalactites are beautifully reflected, when illuminated. One of them, 

 near the sea, contains fishes. 



Near the caves there are some natural fish ponds, due to fallen 

 caverns, and filled with very clear water, in which at the time of 

 our visit there were many beautiful fishes. A much larger and 

 deeper pond, near the house and mostly concealed by trees, contained 

 several large Sea-turtles, apparently living there in great comfort, 

 and with plenty of room for swimming and diving. Those that 

 came well into view were Green turtles. 



The long causeway leading from the Main Island to St. George's is 

 of considerable interest. From it can be seen excellent views of 

 Castle Harbor with its small outlying islands, — Castle Island, Coopeis 

 Island, Charles Island, etc., in the distance, and the thickly wooded 



The charm that, to sweeten my goblet, I threw 



With a sigh to the past and a blessing on yon." 



***** 



" Last night when we came from the Calabash-tree, 

 When my limbs were at rest and my spirit was free, 

 The glow of the grape and the dreams of the day 

 Set the magical springs of my fancy in play, 

 And oh, such a vision as haunted me then 

 I would slumber for ages to witness again.' 7 



