54 A. H. Verrill—The Bermuda Islands; Geology. 
Lieut. Nelson also described the changes that had occurred at 
Shelly Bay, as follows: 
“In 1801 Shelly Bay scarcely existed: what is now the mouth, 
was at that time a row of sand hills; and the road on thé north side 
lay close within. Some free blacks who lived there, being in need 
of fuel, cut down the plants which kept these sand hills in a solid 
state. Being no longer duly opposed, the sea quickly broke through, 
and now retains possession of the ground at least 100 yards in rear 
of the old road, traces of which are still visible. The Mangrove 
Swamp between the beach and the present road was until then a 
garden.” ... 
The condition of Shelly Bay appears to be still nearly as described 
by Nelson.* As to its previous condition, I know of no earlier 
description in which the sand hills across its mouth are mentioned. 
On the contrary, on the early maps of Norwood it is represented 
with nearly its present outline. In the earliest accounts it is men- 
tioned as a bay abounding in fishes (1610), discovered by Mr. Shelly, 
one of Admiral Somers’ party, in 1609. Therefore, unless Lieut. 
Nelson was misinformed as to its condition in 1801, the sand hills 
across its mouth must have been formed after the settlement, which 
seems improbable. I am disposed to think that the change was not 
nearly so great as Nelson was led to believe. 
As to Tucker’s Town, the sand still continues to drift in that 
district, and sand-dunes are still forming near the shore (see pl. xxi, 
fig. 2), though the area of drifting sand seems to be much less than 
formerly, owing to the great increase of native sand-dwelling vege- 
tation and the introduction of additional species. 
One of the most important species growing here in the sand close 
to the shore is Secevola lobelia, a low shrub which has thick, leathery 
leaves and long creeping root-stalks. It is the species shown on the 
sands in my plates.{ A little farther away from the shore the “‘ Sage- 
bush” (Lantana) becomes important, and the seaside morning- 
glory (Ipomea pes-cupre), with several seaside grasses, especially 
Cenchrus tribuloides. At the edges of the advancing sand the olean- 
ders and cedars, with other plants, form barriers to its advance. In 
* For a view of Shelly Bay, see these Trans., xi, pl. xviii; ‘‘ The Bermuda 
Islands,” same plate. 
+ See these Trans., vol. xi, pp. 474-479, pls. Ixxv and Ixxvi; ‘‘The Bermuda 
Islands,” pp. 62-67, same plates. 
t See pl. xxi, fig. 2. Also these Trans. pl. Ixxv and Ixxvi; ‘‘The Bermuda 
Islands,” same plates. 
