36 THE BOTANY OF BERMUDA. 



distances, and, as every one knows who has tried to improve plantations 

 in the neighborhood of cedar trees, they monopolize all the good soil 

 they can reach. 



"It is universally agreed," says Dr. Eohertson, "that the nature of 

 this (St. George's) and the other Bermuda Islands has undergone a 

 surprising change for the worse since they were first discovered, the 

 air being much more inclement, and the soil much more barren than 

 formerly; this is ascribed to the cutting down of those fine spreading 

 cedar trees for which the islands were famous, and which sheltered 

 them from the blasts of the north wind at the same time that it pro- 

 tected the undergrowth of the delicate plants and herbs. In short, 

 the Summer Islands are now far from being desirable spots ; and their 

 natural productions are but just sufficient for the support of the inhab- 

 itants, who, chiefly for that reason, perhaps, are temperate and lively to 

 a proverb. * * * The Bermuda Islands, however, might still pro- 

 duce some valuable commodities were they properly cultivated; * * * 

 their oranges are still valuable; their soil is also said to be excellent 

 for the cultivation of vines."* 



As the historian had never visited the islands, his opinion is only 

 cited for the strong testimony he bears to the general opinion a century 

 ago that they were barren. There is, in fact, but very little good soil 

 among them ; the element silica in particular, which enters so largely 

 into the composition of most fertile soils, being very wanting; potash 

 and soda present in very small quantities, and iron, in the form of oxide 

 or peroxide, much in excess in the soils which are otherwise the best. 

 The small number of deciduous trees, and the prevalence of the cedar 

 {Juniperus Bermudiana), which contributes little to the soil, are also a 

 source of poverty. 



* Robertson's America, 1777, VI., p. 286. 



