38 WONDERS OF THE DEEP 



and a sprinkling of residents, the entire population is 

 native. The Union Jack, which flies from the 

 Governor's residence, is a quiet reminder of the vast- 

 ness of the British Empire. The town, in addition to 

 the native constabulary and native troops, can boast 

 of several divisions of Boy Scouts. 



The present Governor, Mr. W, L. Allardyce, 

 C.M.G., we may note in passing, raised three native 

 contingents for service with the troops fighting in the 

 life-and-death world-struggle for right against might, 

 and for freedom against military tyranny. 



Nassau, besides its unrivalled Marine Gardens, 

 can boast of several other attractive features. There 

 is, for example, the famous " Queen's Staircase," con- 

 sisting of nearly three hundred steps hewn out of the 

 solid rock by Spanish convicts three centuries ago, 

 when Spain was in possession of the Bahamas. 



At Nassau can be seen one of the finest examples 

 in the tropical world of the silk cotton-tree. This 

 tree possesses enormous wide-spreading roots, over 

 one hundred ind fifty feet in circumference, and these 

 will afford convenient shelter during a storm for no 

 fewer than sixty people. According to the native 

 religious beliefs the silk cotton-tree is regarded as 

 being the dwelling-place of spirits. 



In Nassau the native pig, which is small but very 

 spry and energetic, is as ubiquitous as its brother in 

 Ireland. It is quite a family pet, and is at liberty 

 to run about wherever it pleases, but it is not allowed 

 in the house. 



Unquestionably, the physique of the Bahama 



