INTRODUCTION. XI 



"wood of sage bush {Lantana oilorata) and {L. camara). A few depres- 

 sions, sligbtly below Ibe sea level, are wet and niarsby, and are grown 

 up witb coarse grasses, reeds, and sedges, with palmettoes and cedars 

 where the ground is dry, and mangroves and aAiceuuias where if is 

 muddy. There are no lakes, streams, or wells of fresh water, the only 

 water-supply being derived from the clouds. The roofs of the houses 

 are sloped and whitewashed so as to allow the rain to run freely into 

 tanks under ground; some of these are of large size and keep an abun- 

 dance of water perfectly clear and fresh for two or three months, if 

 droughts should occur. 



The climate, during the winter mouths of November, December, Jan- 

 uary February, and March, is simply charming, the thermometer usu- 

 ally ranging from GO'^ to 70°. Cool and pleasant breezes almost con- 

 tinually prevail; and as may well be imagined from its position on the 

 wide ocean, the air of Bermuda is the purest of the pure. 



The trade of Bermuda is carried on by a dozen or more island vessels 

 and others from England, United States, Nova Scotia, and Prince Ed- 

 ward Island. The island vessels are built of cedar, the most durable 

 of all woods ; but as that timber is getting scarce, ship-building is not 

 carried on to the extent it was formerly. The ])rincipal exports are 

 onions, tomatoes, aiul potatoes, chiefly to New York, during the months 

 of Ajiril, May. and June. Arrowroot has also been for many years a 

 well-known Bermudiau product, commanding a high price in every part 

 of the world. 



Bermuda is a British military post, and there is one line regiment 

 always garrisoned there, as well as artillery and engineers ; and the 

 dock-yard is one of the stations of the West Indiau squadron of the 

 British navy. 



The following brief topographical description of the islands is here 

 presented as an introduction to the special natural history i)ai>ers which 

 are to follow, and which often contain reference to special localities. It 

 should be read in connection with the map. 



Beginning at the eastern extremity of the archipelago, we observe 

 upon the map. 



St. George's. — This was once the chief town of the islands and resi- 

 dence of the governor; but Hamilton, which is more centrally situate, 

 was chosen in its stead about the latter part of the last century. The 

 town is quaint aud interesting ; the streets are so narrow that in places 

 two portly persons would almost jostle each other in passing. They 

 were constructed when carriuges were unknown on the islands, 



