CHAP. IV.} ST. THOMAS TO BERMUDAS. 299 
Bermudas for some further indication of the presence of the 
species, but in vain. 
On the 21st of April we left Bermudas, and crossed the 
Gulf-stream to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The observations made 
during that trip will be recorded in the next chapter. Toward 
the end of May we returned southward, and on the 31st we 
had the pleasure of finding ourselves once more lashed along- 
side the dock-yard at Bermudas. 
The weather was now much warmer, the thermometer in 
the shade ranging from 21°°5 to 25° C., and with the advan- 
cing season the appearance of the islands had changed con- 
siderably. Even from a distance, many additional shades’ of 
green might be seen, brightening and softening the sombre 
uniformity of the cedar woods, and, conspicuous above all 
others, brilliant masses of the splendid foliage of the ‘ pride 
of India” (Melia azedarach), which, during our former visit, 
showed its delicate trusses of lilac flowers only. I have al- 
ready referred to the use of the common oleander (WVeriuwm 
oleander) for arresting the progress of moving sand. The 
plant was introduced into Bermudas in modern times, and 
appears to have been encouraged, partly on account of its 
value for that purpose, and partly doubtless for its showy 
flowers. The climate and soil seem to suit it wonderfully, 
and it has regularly taken possession of the islands. Large 
bushes, twenty feet high, are everywhere—round the cottages, 
along the road-sides, and in the woods; and thick hedges of 
great height, planted partly as bounding fences and_ partly 
for shelter, intersect the cultivated ground in every direction. 
Nothing can be imagined more ornamental. There are all 
varieties of color, from white through pale rose and lilac to 
nearly crimson; the flowers tend to come double or semi- 
double, and they bloom most profusely. The country round 
Hamilton and Somerset Island was a perfect blaze of color 
in June; and as the flowers come in succession, and stand a 
