A. E. Verrill — The Bermuda Islands. 471 



able visitors, during nearly 300 years. Another, not far away, con- 

 tains a deep pool of sea-water, but as there is no boat in it, the 

 visitor can only view, from one side, the long sloping roof, hung 

 with stalactites of various sizes. Many of these have been broken 

 off by the vandals who have visited it, and all are badly smoked. 

 But nevertheless, though its beauty has been so much marred, it is 

 an interesting place to visit. The most beautiful stalactitic forma- 

 tions that we saw were in the Peniston Cave, near the Harrington 

 House, to the west of Walsingham. This cave can only be entered 

 though a small and rather difficult passage, near the top of a rather 

 high hill. It descends with a steep slope for about 80 feet. In the 

 bottom there is a deep pool of clear sea-water. The sloping roof is 

 hung with thousands of beautiful, slender, white stalactites, many of 

 them very small, not much larger than a lead pencil, and still form- 

 ing, for needle-like crystals of limestone can be seen forming in the 

 drop of clear water that is suspended from the tips. This cave also 

 contains elegant drapery-like deposits of white stalactite, in many 

 varieties.* (See plate xciii and Geology.) 



Many other caves, which are accessible to visitors, are known 

 upon the islands. There is a cave on St. David's Island, near the 

 lighthouse, but I did not visit it. Among the well known caves 

 are Joyce's, Paynter's, Chalk, Church, Cooper's, Hall's, etc. 



The cave on Somerset Island, known as Basset's, is of great extent, 

 for it is said to have been explored for more than a mile, but it has 

 only a few stalactites. See Geology for additional descriptions. 



Along the high shore cliffs there are many grottoes and caves that 

 can only be entered from a boat, and sometimes only at low-tide. 



Two large dome-like grottoes of this kind, accessible only by a 

 boat at low water, are situated close together in the shore-cliff a 

 short distance east of Bailey Bay. One of them is lighted from 

 above by a small chimney-like opening in the roof. They have 

 more or less of the shape of huge Indian lodges or wigwams inside, 

 and might well have 1 been called " wigwam grottoes," if they ever 

 had a name, or needed one. 



Smaller grottoes in the shore cliff exist at Clarence Cove, and in 

 many other places, and many are entirely submerged, under the 



* This cave has not yet. been opened to the public, and the walking and climb- 

 ing over the steep, wet slopes, covered with fallen rocks and slippery red clay, 

 render it unsuitable for most visitors, especially ladies, until its exploration 

 shall have been made easier by enlarging the entrance and making steps, 

 where needed. 



