A. E. Verrill — Tlte Bermuda Islands. 625 



c. — Later introductions from England, etc. 



In subsequent years, from time to time, the Company tried to 

 introduce various plants for commercial purposes, but generally 

 without any success. Persistent efforts were made to introduce the 

 culture of silk-worms. The seeds of the white mulberry were sent, 

 in 1616 and at other times, and in 1625 those of the black mulberry 

 were also sent out,* together with some eggs of the silk worm moth. 



Capt. Smith mentions saffron, indigo, and madder plants as culti- 

 vated in 1624, with promise of success. The seeds of hemp and 

 flax were called for by Governor Wood, in 1632, when the people 

 were destitute of clothing. At that time cotton trees were ordered 

 planted on every share of land. Castor-oil plants were extensively 

 raised for oil in 1632-33, but were not profitable. (See p. 523.) 

 Probably this plant was native of the islands, but seed may also 

 have been sent there and not recorded. 



In the poetical description of the Bermudas written in 1670-71, 

 by John Hardie, he refers to many of the common plants and fruits, 

 and to a few not mentioned by other early writers, as the guava and 

 the lime. Doubtless seeds were constantly brought from England 

 and planted almost every year, after the first settlement. 



As the Bermudians also kept up more or less trade with the 

 Bahamas, Turks Island, Barbadoes, and other West Indian islands, 

 tropical seeds and plants were often brought from there, both for 

 use and ornament, without being recorded. Doubtless most of the 

 earlier shade trees and flowering plants were thus introduced. 



Several Governors and many prominent citizens have taken great 

 mtei - est in introducing foreign plants. Among others, Governor 

 Reid, about 1839, introduced many useful and ornamental species. 



Governor Lefroy, 1872-76, probably inti-oduced more species than 

 any other individual.! In his catalogue of the Bermuda plants he 



* The American red mulberry, which is still common, was probably native 

 there, and was most likely the wild mulberry used as fruit by the earliest 

 settlers. 



f It seems singular that no special effort has ever been made to introduce 

 forest trees that might be useful for timber, to supplement the cedar. Doubtless 

 tnere are numerous valuable West Indian, Australian, and New Zealand timber- 

 trees that woidd nourish on the barren Bermuda hills as well as the cedar, if not 

 better. The fiddle-wood tree has rapidly spread itself over the islands, but its 

 timber is of little value. Governor Lefroy tried many species, in small num- 

 bers, with varying success. Some of the species of Eucalyptus planted by him 

 (usually a single tree) gave promise of success, but other species should also be 



Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. XI. 40 May, 1902. 



