XVIII INTRODUCTION. 
eastern end, giving it the appearance of a natural water-course, which 
is arare sight in Bermudas except during a heavy rainfall. On the 
southern shore of this pond, about its center, and within a few paces of 
the water, are wells used for the purpose of watering cattle. The water 
they contain, like all similar excavations throughout the islands, is fresh 
above, but brackish beneath, as soon as the sea level is reached. This 
is, of course, owing to the simple reason that fresh water is lighter than 
salt. The islanders declare that there are “springs” of fresh water in 
various places. ‘This is only true to the extent of supply furnished 
by percolation of rain water to the depth such springs are found in; a 
few weeks of drought would be sufficient to prove the fallacy of the as- 
sertion that such sources are really springs. Bermuda, which is merely 
the peak of a submarine mountain, rising to a height of nearly four 
miles from the bottom of the ocean, having its whole land area honey- 
combed throughout above, and most probably far below the level of the 
sea, Can possess no fresh-water supply from below, and can only rely 
upon rainfalls for the necessary fluid. No hard water, therefore, is to 
be had in these islands; none but what the tanks supply, running from 
roofs and smoothed surfaces, constructed for the purpose. Peniston’s 
Pond is a great resort of water fowl and waders, which visit Bermuda 
during the winter; and many arare bird has been obtained by ornithol- 
ogists in favorable seasons. 
Spanish Rock.—A few yards east of the cattle wells spoken of, just at 
the base of the shore hills, an open grassy patch will be seen, having a 
mud hole about its center. After passing this, proceed up through the 
cedar grove in front, and immediately at the top a little pathway will 
be seen leading to the cliff beyond. Care must be taken on approach- 
ing this precipice, for if a false step be made, there is nothing to prevent 
a fall of fully 100 feet into the foaming waters below. The flattened 
rock, on which is an inscription consisting of a monogram and the date 
1543, supposed to have been made by the Spaniard, Ferdinand Camelo, is 
cut, is a little below the crest of the cliff. Itis one of the oldest histori- 
eal monuments in America. 
Hungary Bay.—About three miles from Devonshire Bay, along the 
coast westward, is Hungary Bay, an excellent place to gain some idea 
of what a tropical mangrove swamp must be. This is, of course, only one 
on a very small scale; but still the mangrove grows luxuriantly here. 
With the exception of the crabs which climb the trees, hardly a sign of 
animal life is observable. Fine specimens of Littorina scabra occur on 
