416 A. E. Verrill—The Bermuda Tslands. 
Many of these fishes take the hook readily, and afford excellent 
sport for those who are fond of sea-fishing. Among those that are 
most esteemed for the table are the Green Angel-fishes, Rockfishes, 
sometimes of great size, Groupers, Grunts of several kinds, Snappers, 
Bonito, Guelly, Hogfish, Ambertish, Gogglers, and many other. 
Part I.—General Descriptions of the Scenery, Climate, Harbors, 
Waters, Vegetation, Birds, Roads, Historical Localities, Ruined 
| Forts, ete. 
These islands are situated east of the main current of the Gulf 
Stream, but yet so near it that their shores are always bathed in the 
pure blue, warm Gulf Stream water, and for this reason the climate 
is remarkably equable for this latitude. Frost is practically 
unknown, though light frosts have occurred a very few times, at 
long intervals. Temperatures slightly below 50° F. are not infre- 
quent in winter. 
The winter months and March are cool, the average temperature 
being from 59.5° to 60.5° F. and there are many chilly, windy, and 
rainy days, especially with northerly winds, when one needs thick 
clothing out of doors, and artificial heat within. Indeed, many vis- 
itors from the north find it much cooler than they had expected, and 
are disappointed in not being able to wear thin clothes all the time. 
It is not well to trust in this case too much to the poetic descriptions 
of enthusiasts. Persons in feeble health should always secure rooms 
that can be heated when necessary and should have woolen clothing. 
April and May, and the first half of June, are the most delightful 
months. In midsummer the air becomes very moist and sultry, but 
not very hot, seldom exceeding 87° F. The climate will be more 
fully discussed in a later chapter.* . 
The Bermudas are nearly due east of Charleston, 8S. C., and 575 
nautical miles from Cape Hatteras, which is the nearest land. From 
* The following lines, from a beautiful poem of Thomas Moore, would indi- 
cate a warmer climate than actually exists there, especially at the season when 
he wrote, for he was in Bermuda only from January to the 5th of May :— 
‘“No, ne’er did the wave in its element steep 
An island of lovelier charms ; 
It blooms in the giant embrace of the deep, 
Like Hebe in Hercules’ arms. 
The blush of your bowers is light to the eye, 
And their melody balm to the ear; 
But the fiery planet of day is too high, 
And the Snow Spirit never comes here.” 
