INTRODUCTION. XVH 



by a bridge. In the torrent below tlie bridge Mr. Goode discovered 

 AmpJiio.rnfi in 1877, and this vicinity is one of the best collecting grounds 

 in the islands. Much may be done by raking up stones and sponges 

 from the bottom and examining their interstices for small animals. 



Flatt's Harbor. — In days of yore this pretty little inlet of the sea pre- 

 sented a different aspect, for the shores, particularly at its head, were 

 lined with wharves from which good-sized vessels discharged their car- 

 goes. It was, in fact, one of the ports of Bermuda, and considerable 

 trade was carried on here. Even now the extent of the ruins of several 

 houses testifies to their capacity in former times. All, however, now 

 wears a look of desolation ; the moldering walls with the carved portals 

 are draped with the prickly cactus, while gigantic papaws and plantains 

 raise their leafy crowns above the whole. 



Gibbons' Bay. — About a quarter of a mile from Flatt's Village, on the 

 north shore road to Hamilton, on the right hand, will be seen a little 

 sandy bay, with an island beyond, joined by a causeway of large stone 

 blocks to the shore. The little bay to the right is known as Gibbons' 

 Bay. It is an excellent place for collecting shells and sea-weeds, as 

 also marine invertebrates, which are common under the stones and sand 

 at low water. In the little rock pools here and along the north shore 

 occur frequently groups of young Velella, while in the crevices of the 

 rocks, after a uortberly storm, may be found great masses of Gulf weed 

 covered with pelagic crustaceans and hydroids. 



Mount Langton. — Government House is situated on an elevated ridge 

 of land, and commands a flue view of the sea-coast all along the north 

 shore. The garden contains interesting examples of foreign trees, 

 shrubs, and plants. It was here that Lady Turner, between 182G and 

 1832, planted the first weeping willow ever seen in the islands, a spe- 

 cies now very common. Governor Keid, about 1841, planted the India- 

 rubber trees which stand near the steps leading down to the gardon. 

 The wampee and litchi tre^s were also i^lanted by him. The large silk 

 cotton trees in the garden were planted by Governor Elliott about 1850, 

 and Sir Henry Lefroy, when governor, added largely to the list. 



Peniston's Pond. — This beautiful little lake, screened from the ocean 

 by small hills covered with cedar, lies on the south shore of the islands, 

 about a mile and a half west of the Devil's Hole. 



The waters of Peniston's Pond are quite brackish, having communi- 

 cation with the outer sea by underground channels. In heavy southerly 

 storms a perfect stream of water is forced over the shore rocks at the 



