8 FLORA OF NEW PROVIDENCE AND ANDROS 
the ponds were very shallow, having about three inches of water 
and eighteen inches of marl. 
The scenery was monotonous and desolate. In many places, 
as far as the eye could reach, the ground seemed perfectly flat and 
covered with small mangroves, the salt-bush (Avicennia nitida), and 
a low form of button-wood (Conocarpus erecta), none more than a 
few feet in height. The plants were in reality quite scattered and 
a considerable distance apart, but seen at a distance the effect was 
that of a smooth expanse of lawn. Here and there a dark line of 
pines showed on the horizon or one caught the gleam of water, but 
as a rule only clumps of palmettos or a few shrubs varied the 
monotony. In some places, especially near the creeks, palmettos 
were abundant, the most common being the “silver thatch ” 
(Thrinax Bahamensis) ; the “ hog cabbage " (Cyclospathe Northropt) 
and Ше “saw-tooth cabbage” (Paurotis Androsana) were occa- 
sionally seen ; all were of small size. Toward the southern end 
of the island, the mangroves sometimes attained considerable size 
and then formed the most prominent feature of the landscape. This 
desolate, uninhabited region is a paradise for water birds which 
were found here in greatnumbers. The flamingoes were the most 
interesting and these we often saw while on the west side of the 
island. 
I have described the botanical regions in such detail because 
since we collected in the Bahamas, many of the localities we visited 
have been destroyed, botanically speaking, by being cleared for 
the cultivation of sisal. The work was just beginning when we 
were there, a few sisal plantations having been started on both 
New Providence and Andros. Several years later, thousands of 
acres had been cleared and planted with sisal. For this purpose 
both coppet and pine barrens were available but not the swash. 
Large companies were formed, a great amount of money was spent 
in clearing and planting, in making roads, and I believe a small 
railroad even was built on Andros. It was confidently expected 
that large fortunes would be made, but after three or four years’ 
trial these hopes proved to ‘be visionary, and I have since heard 
ТЕКЕ 
however, that the flora of het E 
, as suffered more or less change 
