A. E. Verrili— The Bermuda Islands. 62 
Or 
c.—Later introductions from England, ete. 
In subsequent years, from time to time, the Company tried to 
introduce various plants for commercial purposes, but generally 
without any success. Persistent efforts were made to introduce the 
culture of silk-worms. The seeds of the white mulberry were sent, 
in 1616 and at other times, and in 1625 those of the black mulberry 
were also sent out,* together with some eggs of the silk worm moth. 
Capt. Smith mentions saffron, indigo, and madder plants as culti- 
vated in 1624, with promise of success. The seeds of hemp and 
flax were called for by Governor Wood, in 1632, when the people 
were destitute of clothing. At that time cotton trees were ordered 
planted on every share of land. Castor-oil plants were extensively 
raised for oil in 1632-33, but were not profitable. .(See p. 523.) 
Probably this plant was native of the islands, but seed may also 
have been sent there and not recorded. 
In the poetical description of the Bermudas written in 1670-71, 
by John Hardie, he refers to many of the common plants and fruits, 
and to a few not mentioned by other early writers, as the guava and 
the lime. Doubtless seeds were constantly brought from England 
and planted almost every year, after the first settlement. 
As the Bermudians also kept up more or less trade with the 
Bahamas, ‘Turks Island, Barbadoes, and other West Indian islands, 
tropical seeds and plants were often brought from there, both for 
use and ornament, without being recorded. Doubtless most of the 
earlier shade trees and flowering plants were thus introduced. 
Several Governors and many prominent citizens have taken great 
interest in introducing foreign plants. Among others, Governor 
Reid, about 1839, introduced many useful and ornamental species. 
Governor Lefroy, 1872-76, probably introduced more species than 
any other individual.t In his catalogue of the Bermuda plants he 
* The American red mulberry, which is still common, was probably native 
there, and was most likely the wild mulberry used as fruit by the earliest 
settlers. 
+ It seems singular that no special effort has ever been made to introduce 
forest trees that might be useful for timber, to supplement the cedar. Doubtless 
there are numerous valuable West Indian, Australian, and New Zealand timber- 
trees that would flourish on the barren Bermuda hills as well as the cedar, if not 
better. The fiddle-wood tree has rapidly spread itself over the islands, but its 
timber is of little value. Governor Lefroy tried many species, in small num- 
bers, with varying success. Some of the species of Eucalyptus planted by him 
(usually a single tree) gave promise of success, but other species should also be 
Trans. Conn. Acap., Vou. XI. 40 May, 1902, 
