468 A. E. Verrill — The Bermuda Islands. 



the rain-water. But in many places on sloping hillsides, platforms 

 are built of similar slabs of stone to conduct the rain-water into 

 large cisterns at the base of the slope, as at Castle Island. (See 

 plate lxxix, fig. 1.) 



4. — Fallen Caverns and Natural Fish Ponds. 



In many places small and deep valleys or abrupt depressions 

 occur, which are called "sinks" or "plantation holes." Most of 

 these, if not all, have been caused by the falling in of roofs of 

 caverns, which are of frequent occurrence here. Vegetation is often 

 luxuriant in such places, owing to the rich soil, increased moisture 

 and heat, and the shelter from the high winds. 



When these sinks are formed by the falling in of caverns that 

 extend below sea-level, they result in the formation of excellent 

 natural fish-ponds, for they have subterranean connections with the 

 sea that serve to renew the water constantly and keep it pure. 



Many of these exist. The one best known is the " Devils Hole," 

 situated close to the west end of Harrington Sound. This is about 

 100 feet across, and the water is said to be about 40 feet deep. It is 

 now enclosed and kept stocked with a large number of fishes, mostly 

 Hamlet Groupers, for exhibition purposes. It is a place of much 

 interest to visitors. (See p. 430.) Three ponds of the same kind are 

 situated near the old Walsingham house, close to the shore of Castle 

 Harbor. The largest of these contains several fine sea-turtles. The 

 others contain many bright-colored fishes of various kinds. Another 

 very interesting pool of this kind may be seen close by the road- 

 side on Coney Island, just after crossing the causeway that leads to 

 this island. It is on the right hand side of the road, and only 

 separated from it by a rough board fence. It has perpendicular and 

 overhanging rocky sides, but at the bottom there is a considerable 

 depth of clean, transparent water. In a calm day large numbers of 

 interesting fishes, some of them of large size, can be seen leisurely 

 hunting for food among the masses of fallen rock at the bottom. 

 But they suddenly disappear into the cavernous places at the least 

 alarm. The principal fishes noticed here were the "Sea Lawyers" 

 or Gray Snappers, which took the initiative in all the evolutions, 

 and whose movements all the others followed in case of supposed 

 danger. 



There were also large blue Parrot-fishes, Pilot-fishes, and several 

 other kinds. They are said to have entered this place through small 



