A. EF. Verrili— The Bermuda Islands; Geology. S137 
them is found a continued ledge of the same mettall within halfe a 
league of the shore, servinge to the same purpose on that side, the 
which betwixt them (leavinge noe open approach to any part of the 
shore which vessels of any burthen, save only through thoes two 
channells which greatly, gently and peaceably conveye the benefitt 
of the sea through the straight and narrowe mouthes of the two 
harbours into the large bosome of the firme and rocky earth) prove 
thereby so terrible and sure a fortification against all invasive 
attempts that waye, as by haveinge some sort art added unto them 
at the harbours mouthes since the plantation, they cause the whole 
peece to become as fully impregnable, and as easily to be defended 
against any ennemye as (I think) any one in that nature of Chris- 
tiandome.” 
Ancient Mapes. 
Strachy refers to a map of the islands, made by Admiral Somers 
while detained there by the shipwreck, in 1609.* That map was 
never published and was probably lost soon after it was made. It 
would be of great interest now. 
But Richard Norwood, a very competent surveyor, was employed 
by the Bermuda Company from 1615 to 1622, to make a careful 
survey and map of the islands. His first map, published in 1626, 
and a later one, made by him before 1633, are still in existence, and 
both have been republished.t 
I have carefully compared these early maps with the most recent 
Admiralty charts and with other maps made during the past century. 
The changes in outlines are very slight. In some cases small bays 
or coves have been converted into lagoons by the formation of sand- 
bars across the mouth. In other cases such bars have apparently 
been washed away, converting a small lagoon into an open cove. 
These are phenomena that are common on all sandy shores, and may 
take place during a single severe storm. 
* “Wor no greater distance is it from the Northwest Point to Gates his Bay, 
as by this Map your Ladyship may see, in which Sir George Summers, who 
coasted in his Boat about them all, tooke great care to expresse the same exactly 
and full, and made his draught perfect for all good occasions, and the benefit of 
such, who either in distresse might be brought upon them, or make saile this 
way.” 
+ See page 129, foot note, for more details of these maps. A later careful sur- 
vey was made about 1730 by Lempriere, whose first edition I have not seen, It 
was republished in ‘‘The West Indian Atlas,” by Thos. Jeffreys, London, 1780. 
