471 A. HE. Verrill—The Bermuda Islands. 59 
able visitors, during nearly 300 years. Another, not far away, con- 
tains a deep pool of sea-water, but as there is no boat in it, the 
visitor can only view, from one side, the long sloping roof, hung 
with stalactites of various sizes. Many of these have been broken 
off by the vandals who have visited it, and all are badly smoked. 
But nevertheless, though its beauty has been so much marred, it is 
an interesting place to visit. The most beautiful stalactitic forma- 
tions that we saw were in the Peniston Cave, near the Harrington 
House, to the west of Walsingham. ‘This cave can only be entered 
though a small and rather difficult passage, near the top of a rather 
high hill. It descends with a steep slope for about 80 feet. In the 
bottom there is a deep pool of clear sea-water. ‘The sloping roof is 
hung with thousands of beautiful, slender, white stalactites, many of 
them very small, not much larger than a lead pencil, and still form- 
ing, for needle-like crystals of limestone can be seen forming in the 
drop of clear water that is suspended from the tips. This cave also 
contains elegant drapery-like deposits of white stalactite, in many 
varieties.* (See plate xciii and Geology.) 
Many other caves, which are accessible to visitors, are known 
upon the islands. There is a cave on St. David’s Island, near the 
lighthouse, but I did not visit it. Among the well known caves 
are Joyce’s, Paynter’s, Chalk, Church, Cooper’s, Hall’s, etc. 
The cave on Somerset Island, known as Basset’s, is of great extent, 
for it is said to have been explored for more than a mile, but it has 
only a few stalactites. See Geology for additional descriptions. 
Along the high shore cliffs there are many grottoes and caves that 
can only be entered from a boat, and sometimes only at low-tide. 
Two large dome-like grottoes of this kind, accessible only by a 
boat at low water, are situated close together in the shore-cliff a 
short distance east of Bailey Bay. One of them is lighted from 
above by a small chimney-like opening in the roof. They have 
more or less of the shape of huge Indian lodges or wigwams inside, 
and might well have been called “ wigwam grottoes,” if they ever 
had a name, or needed one. 
Smaller grottoes in the shore cliff exist at Clarence Cove, and in 
many other places, and many are entirely submerged, under the 
* This cave has not yet been opened to the public, and the walking and climb- 
ing over the steep, wet slopes, covered with fallen rocks and slippery red clay, 
render it unsuitable for most visitors, especially ladies, until its exploration 
shall have been made easier by enlarging the entrance and making steps, 
where needed. 
