INTROI^UCTION. XV 



kuowu as " Chalk Cave."' Ou retnruing and recrossiug- the red patch, 

 there will be seen on the left hand a deep hollow called "Plantain Hole," 

 in which coffee, myrtle, wild cherry, fiddle-wood, and other trees are 

 growing and entwining their branches together. 



After leaving this cavernous dei)res.sion and ascending the steep hill 

 above for a short distance the visitor will come suddenly in view of 

 Castle Harbor. Descending the slope before him an<l arriving at the 

 shore he will find himself near the Government Limestone Quarry, from 

 which large blocks of compact stone have been taken for building forti- 

 fications, and which is frequently referred to below in Professor Pice's 

 paper on the geology of the islands. To the southeast is a cave called 

 "Cooper's Hole," well worth a visit. Eeturning northwards, along the 

 margin of the water, the visitor will perceive a current of water rushing 

 almost under his feet, which is supposed to flow under the land from 

 Harrington Sound. Still continuing northwards he will soon arrive at 

 a rail fence, which, if he follows along through ferns, myrtle, orange, 

 &c., will bring him to another deep hollow, called "Little Plantain 

 Hole." At one time this was overrun with citron and orange trees ; but 

 very few, owing to the great disease of 1854, now remain. Still follow- 

 ing the fence he will again ariive at the ruins of the old Paynter home- 

 stead, from which he started. Just outside the entrance gate, and across 

 the public road, on the shore of Harrington Sound, will be seen a cavern 

 in the clifi", which goes by the name of " Shark's Hole." If a boat can 

 be obtained this cavern is well worth investigating, for several species 

 of sea- weeds are to be obtained on the rocks on either side; while in the 

 recesses of the cave beyond, by the aid of a torch, a beautiful collection 

 of stalactites can be seen. A fine collection of stalactites from this 

 cave are preserved in the iSTational Museum and in that of Wesleyan 

 University, Middletowu. 



Tucker's Town. — The land which lies between Paynter Yale and the 

 south shore, including the long narrow neck which stretches out east- 

 ward to Castle Island, is known as Tucker's Town. Tucker's Town 

 ponds are favorite resorts of the migratory water birds which visit 

 Bermuda from the Xorth American continent during the fall and winter 

 months. Along the shores of these ponds the mangrove {RJiizophora) 

 grows luxuriantly wherever congenial mud affords its roots a resting 

 place. 



The walks about the sand hills near the shore will be found interest- 

 ing to the lover of nature, for many interesting maritime plants may be 



