NARRATIVE OF THE CRUISE. 



143 



is characteristic and distinctive. Most conspicuous, next to the Juniper as a general 

 feature in the vegetation, is probably the Oleander {Nerium oleander), which, having 

 been introduced, flourishes everywhere. A large portion of the uncultivated land is 

 covered with a dense growth of another introduced plant, Lantana camera, a most 

 troublesome weed. 



The most refreshing and beautiful vegetation in Bermuda is that growing in the 

 marshes and caves. The marshes or peat bogs lie in the inland hollows between two 

 ranges of hills, and are covered with a tall luxuriant growth of ferns, especially two 

 species of Osmunda (Osmunda cinnamomea and Osmunda regalis). Some ferns are 

 restricted to particular marshes; one salt marsh fern (Acrostichum aureum) grows 



Fig. 57.— Chimney of a Cottage which lias been buried by a sand-glacier. Elbow Bay. 

 (From a Photograph.) 



densely to a height of 4 or 5 feet. Together with the ferns grows the Juniper, which 

 thrives in the marshes, and a species of Palm (Sabal blackburniana), thus giving a pleasing 

 variety to the foliage. 



A very careful collection of the plants of the islands was made during the stay, and 

 this, together with a most valuable series of specimens collected by General Lefroy after 

 prolonged exertions extending over the whole period of his residence in the group, forms the 

 basis of the treatise on the flora of the islands which forms one of the Botanical Reports 

 of the Expedition. 1 It is there shown that the group possesses far more vegetable 

 forms peculiar to itself than had hitherto been suspected. It is probable that the 

 occurrence of North American plants in the islands is connected with the fact that 



1 Bot. Chall. Exp., part i., 1884. 



