SVIII INTRODUCTIOX. 



eastern end, giWng it the appearance of a natural water-course, wbicli 

 is a rare sight in Bermudas except during a heavy rainiall. On the 

 southern shore of this pond, about its center, and within a few i)aces of 

 the water, are wells used for the purpose of watering cattle. The water 

 they contain, like all similar excavations throughout the islands, is fresh 

 above, but brackish beneath, as soon as the sea level is reached. This 

 is, of course, owing to the simple reason that fresh water is lighter than 

 salt. The islanders declare that there are " springs" of fresh water in 

 various places. This is only true to the extent of supply furnished 

 by percolation of rain water to the depth such springs are found in ; a 

 few weeks of drought would be sufdcient to prove the fallacy of the as- 

 sertion that such sources are really springs. Bermuda, which is merely 

 the peak of a submarine mountain, rising to a height of nearly four 

 miles from the bottom of the ocean, having its whole land area honey- 

 combed throughout above, and most probably far below the level of the 

 sea, can possess no fresh-water supply from below, and can only rely 

 upon rainfalls for the necessary fluid. No hard water, therefore, is to 

 be had in these islands ; none but what the tanks supply, running from 

 Toofs and smoothed surfaces, constructed for the purpose. Peniston's 

 Pond is a great resort of water fowl and waders, which visit Bermuda 

 during the winter ; and many a rare bird has been obtained by ornithol- 

 ogists in favorable seasons. 



Spanish Rock. — A few yards east of the cattle wells spoken of, just at 

 the base of the shore hills, an open grassy patch will be seen, having a 

 mud hole about its center. After passing this, proceed up through the 

 <3edar grove in front, and immediately at the top a little pathway will 

 be seen leading to the cliff beyond. Care must be taken ou approach- 

 ing this precipice, for if a false step be made, there is nothing to prevent 

 a fall of fully 100 feet into the foaming waters below. The flattened 

 rock, on which is an inscription consisting of a monogram and the date 

 1543, supposed to have been made by the Spaniard, Ferdinand Camelo, is 

 cut, is a little below the crest of the cliff. It is one of the oldest histori- 

 cal monuments in America. 



Hungary Bay. — About three miles from Devonshire Bay, along the 

 coast westward, is Hungary Bay, an excellent place to gain some idea 

 of what a troi)ical mangrove swamp must be. This is, of course, only one 

 on a very small scale; but still the mangrove grows luxuriantly' here. 

 With the exception of the crabs which climb the trees, hardly a sign of 

 animal life is observable. Fine specimens of Littorina scabra occur on 



