BOTANY. 135 
and then, at intervals, launched in the Islands. Some 
small vessels of war have, at different times, been built 
also ; one, named “The Bermuda,” was launched in Harring- 
ton Sound some few years back, but she was the last man- 
of-war built of this wood, as it was found not to answer 
well for vessels of that class. In sheltered situations the 
cedar attains a goodly size, and there are yet remaining a 
few specimens of large dimensions, and supposed great 
age. There is one situate in the old churchyard of Smith’s 
parish, which, from appearance, numbers many winters ; it 
is put to an useful and decidedly ornamental purpose, for 
up in its aged and time-worn branches, is placed the 
church bell. Devonshire church owns a similar structure. 
The wood of the cedar is also used for fuel, and, to a 
stranger, the peculiar and delightful perfume emitted while 
the wood is burning is novel and pleasing. Perhaps we 
may here be permitted to venture an opinion, that the 
immense number of cedar trees add greatly to the heat 
of the climate, which, in the months of July, August and 
September, is generally intense. To judge of the heat 
thrown out by one of these trees, a person need only stand 
for a few minutes under its shade, when its influence will 
immediately be perceived. Many of the cedars growing 
close upon the shore, and exposed to the influence of the 
heavy gales, have a stunted appearance, the trunks and 
branches twisted into curious shapes, and their roots bare 
and exposed. In olden time the native “squires” of Ber- 
muda calculated their wealth by the number and growth of 
the cedars upon their estates ; and tradition has it, that the 
fair "Mudian damsel who possessed a right and title to a 
thousand goodly cedars, was in a certain way of possessing 
a husband, should she feel so inclined. 
