THE BOTANY OF BERMUDA. 



37 



The following table, extracted from an agricultural report drawn up 

 by the writer in 1873, and based on analyses by IVIr. F. A. IManning and 

 others, gives a concise view of the mineral elements of the Bermuda 

 soils : 



Tablk I. — Relative proportions of the component parts of Bermuda soils, omitting irater. 



Notwithstanding, however, this want of natural fertility due to the 

 geological origin of the group, and to a cause, perhaps, remotely con- 

 nected with the stormy character of the region, the abundance of rain 

 and the genial temperature make uj) for many disadvatages. There 

 appear to be few West India plants or fruits which could not be grown 

 in the islands with a proper selection of localities. It is otherwise, 

 however, as Dr. Rein has remarked* with many fruits belonging to 

 northern temperate regions; many American species which on the con- 

 tinent descend to much lower latitude refuse to flourish or die out in Ber- 

 muda, not so much, probably, from the heat of the summer as from the 



"Strawberries, grapes, figs, peaches, ripeuing iu March and April, grow in Bermuda, 

 but uot the ordinary kernel and stone fruits. — Rein. 



