56 



Orchis (Spiranthes Brevilabris)— This is the 

 only orchis in Bermuda. Found in Devon- 

 shire and in Pembroke marshes. Tolerably 

 abundant. 



Marsh Mint (Mentha Arvensis— Common in 

 all marshes. 



As will be seen by the above list the num- 

 ber is verj' liniit«^d as comitared with other 

 countries, a fact probably due to the absence 

 of fresh water ponds and streams. Pem- 

 broke marsh, owin^ to the flowing artilicial 

 channel which traverses it. is the Ix'st adapt- 

 ed for actual water plants, whilst the others, 

 which lar{?ely abound in ferns, of which Pem- 

 l)r()ke is comparatively lackin/jr. are more 

 adapted tt) the tjrowth of marsh vejjetatit)n. 

 All these marshes are the natural resort of 

 birds both native and transient, and the 

 peaty condition of the soil is conducive to 

 aquaMc growth Water lilies, which have 

 l)een e.xperiinented with, fail to succeed with- 

 out special care, and n»any of the showy 

 swamy) flowers of the North are at once miss- 

 ed by the botanist. This, however, nature 

 amply makes up for by the rich g^iowth and 

 showy blossoms of the land plants. Marsh 

 botanizinsr is very a^ttractive and the search 

 for specimens in localities of sueh a nature is 

 free from the apprehension of reptile life, 

 which al)ounds iti tlie swampy and marsh 

 lands of the neighb()U!:n<^ continent. 



