2T2 JONES ON THE VEGETATION OF THE BERMUDAS. 



an event not altogether lamentable where their preponderance, 

 in the absence of other forms, creates a sameness painful to the 

 eye. In former years when ship building was carried on with 

 some spirit, the vessels were built entirely of cedar, which, from 

 its extreme durability, was well suited for the purpose, the only 

 drawback being its brittle character. The wood is much used 

 also for housebuilding purposes, doors, windows, beams, rafters, 

 &c. being made of cedar, and it is no uncommon occurrence to 

 see windovv^ sashes fifty or more years old looking quite new in 

 appearance. The cedar also makes excellent fencing ; a post 

 and rail fence when well made at first, lasting some forty years, 

 and curious enough the poles, although worn by the elements to 

 skeletons in tliat long course of time, yet perfectly sound at 

 heart. There are several very aged trees now standing in differ- 

 ent parts of the islands ; that in the old churchyard of Devon- 

 shire Parish being perhaps older than any other. Cedars of 

 very large size must have existed in years gone by on the site of 

 the present marshes, for wherever drains or deep cuttings are 

 made through them, huge trunks are revealed. The circum- 

 stance of cedars not being found growing in these marshes at the 

 present day is worthy of consideration, for it tends to substan- 

 tiate the generally received opinion regarding the subsidence 

 which is known to have taken place since the formation of 

 the group.* When the marsh land was higher than at present, 

 a moderately dry soil existed, and upon this grew a vigorous 

 growth of cedars, but when the land subsided and the ocean 

 level became higher than the marsh land, salt water found its 

 way through the caverns or underground channels, and over- 

 flowing the ground, caused it to turn into a morass entirely 

 unsuited to the cedar, which, gradually decaying at its base, fell 

 at length to the fiiry of some passing gale. The size of the 

 cedar varies much, according to situation, as it is only in the 

 valleys, where the richest soil exists, that the cedar attains its 

 full dimensions ; on the hill sides and coast line where they are 

 exposed to the prevailing gales, they are stunted and in many 



♦ See "Nature" Aug. 1, 1872. 



