629 A, E. Verrill—The Bermuda Islands. Q17 
Pomegranate. (Punica granatum L.) 
The Pomegranate was enumerated among the plants brought 
from the Bahamas, in 1616, by the “Edwin.” It increased very 
rapidly and was commonly used, with the Fig-trees, for making 
hedges a few years later.* The variety first introduced was valued 
for its fruit, but in later times other varieties with beautiful double 
flowers have been cultivated for ornament. Both are now very com- 
mon and frequently used for ornamental hedges. 
The following law was enacted by the Assembly, August, 1620:— 
“And further it is enacted and concluded by the power and 
authoritie aforesaid that in regard divers and many negligencies have 
of late been committed and suffered both in the over felling of 
fences in generall and the ill keepinge and lookinge unto them, that 
every man be enioyned to leave and mayntayne a verye sufficient 
fence both upon his owne ground and aginst other mens that he is to 
fence upon and where the natural Palmetoe fence is failed and is 
found to be wantinge, that instead thereof there be planted a 
sufficiencye of Pomgranate and figg trees for a supplie thereof, and 
this to be done upon the penaltye of the losse of tenne pounds of 
tobacco for every such breach contempte or negligence.” 
The Assembly in March, 1627, passed an act ordering every tenant 
and owner of land to plant 50 Pomegranates and 50 Mulberries on 
every share of land for three years, next ensuing. 
In modern times, although common enough, it seldom produces 
much fruit. 
Pawpaw. (Carica papaya L.) 
Pirate LXXIV. Ficure 2. 
This singular fruit tree, which belongs to the passion-flower family 
(Passiflore), was brought from the Bahamas by the ‘“ Edwin,” in 
1616. It increased rapidly and soon became common, bearing fruit 
freely. It is now generally diffused, but there are seldom more 
than two or three trees together; more often they stand singly. 
There are two varieties cultivated in Bermuda. This tree was 
originally from South America, but has long been cultivated in the 
West Indies. 
It is easily recognized by its naked, columnar trunk, occasionally 
forked, with a relatively small tuft of large palmate leaves at the 
summit. The fruit, which is about the size of an orange, forms large 
* There is no evidence that it was native, in 1612, as Lefroy supposed it might 
have been, for none of the earlier writers mentioned it among the native fruits. 
