THE BAHAMAS. 33 



and witli their numerous keys extend along the eastern edge of 

 the Little Bahama Bank for nearly a hundred miles. At the 

 southerly extremity of Ahaco is the famous " Hole-in-the-Vv'all " 

 — a large opening through and helow the top of a ridge of calca- 

 reous rock. Also a light house bearing the same name. A lady 

 informed us that several years since, while sailing past Abaco, 

 she saw the sun at its setting through this ''Hole-in-the-Wall," 

 and that the globe of fire, in its setting of rock, left an indelible 

 picture of rare and exquisite beauty upon her memory. 



The north-west and north-east Providence Channels separate 

 the Little from the Great Bahama Bank. The distance between 

 the Banks varies from fifteen to forty-five miles. 



"The north-east Providence Channel separates Abaco from 

 the island of Eleuthera and the keys on its northern shore, which 

 lie twenty-seven miles to the south-east of the Hole-in-the-Wall." 



" The whole of the trade from North America and Europe to 

 the Gulf of Mexico," says Gov. Eawson, ''passes by the north 

 of the Bahama Lslands. Steamers bound to the south, stem the 

 rapid current of the Florida Channel," between the Banks and 

 Florida. Sailing vessels pass between Abaco and Eleuthera 

 through the Providence Channels, within forty miles of Nassau, 

 into the Gulf of Florida. "All the return-bound trade to the 

 north, whether using steam or sails, passes with the [Gulf] stream 

 tlirougli the Florida Channel." 



"From Eleuthera follow, in the same direction, south-east 

 and then south, a succession of long narrow islands, viz. : — St. 

 Salvador or Cat Island, Long Island, Ragged Island and its keys. 

 * * * Outside the bank, forty-eight miles cast of tbe south 

 of St. Salvadoi', lies Watling Island, * * * and twenty-four 

 miles from the north-east end of Long Island lies Rum Key;" 

 between which and the island of St. Salvador, is the small island 

 of Conception, 



