XII INTRODUCTION. 



These narrow streets, windiDg up tbe hill ou which much of the town 

 is built, with their gardens hemmed in by high walls, over which hang 

 different species of cacti, with i)ai)aws, bananas, and plantains tower- 

 ing above, and here and there the graceful form of the palmetto sur- 

 mounting the same, will remind the visitor of a small Spanish or East- 

 ern town. 



To obtain a good view of the harbor and surrounding country the 

 visitor should proceed either up to the Signal Station or Barrack Hill, 

 from which will be obtained an extensive prospect. Xot far beyond 

 the barracks, and eastward of there, is a small cove ou the northern 

 shore, known as ''Buildings Bay," said to be the place where, in 1609, 

 Sir George Somers had his cedar vessel, in which he proceeded to Vir- 

 ginia, built. There are three or four strong forts commanding the 

 channel through the reefs ou the north side. 



David's Island, forming the southern boundary of St. George's har- 

 bor, is quite small. It is here that some of the best arrowroot is grown 

 and manufactured ; and this island also furnishes most of the pilots 

 who hail from the east end of the islands. There is a whalehouse here, 

 which is now, however, rarely used, as the whale fishery has been much 

 neglected of late years. In its many pretty little bays and inlets a 

 variety of shells and sea- weeds may be obtained; thousands of sea 

 anemones occur in the clear shallow water, and many species of crusta- 

 ceans and echinoderms may be collected on the white sandy bottom, 

 which renders their forms wonderfully conspicuous. 



Castle Harbor. — This charming sheet of water, the beauties of which, on 

 a bright sunny day, with sufficient breeze to ripple the surface of the 

 azure waters, are not to be excelled in any part of the world, is an ex- 

 cellent collecting place. The day's work should commence by a visit 

 to Castle Island, which commands the entrance to the harbor. The 

 visitor can only land upon the island at one' spot on its southern side. 

 Here are the rains of what, many years ago, was a fort of some im- 

 portance, called "The King's Castle;" the old brick oven, too, has be- 

 come a cave with miniature stalactites. The island is about 270 yards 

 long by 90 broad. It is a lonely, desolate spot, the home of the lizard 

 and prickly pear {Opuntia). 



In sailing along for Southampton Island, which is the next to attract 

 attention, the entrance channel to Castle Harbor will be crossed, show- 

 ing how intricate the passage must have been for the large West Indian 

 mail steamers, which made this harbor their port of entry for some few 



