INTRODUCTION. XI 
wood of sage bush (Lantana odorata) and (L. camara). A few depres- 
sions, slightly below the sea level, are wet and marshy, and are grown 
up with coarse grasses, reeds, and sedges, with palmettoes and cedars 
where the ground is dry, and mangroves and avicennias where it is 
muddy. There are no lakes, streams, or wells of fresh water, the only 
water-supply being derived from the clouds. The roofs of the houses 
are sloped and whitewashed so as to allow the rain to run freely into 
tanks under ground; some of these are of large size and keep an abun- 
dance of water perfectly clear and fresh for two or three months, if 
droughts should occur. 
The climate, during the winter months of November, December, Jan- 
uary February, and March, is simply charming, the thermometer usu- 
ally ranging from 60° to 70°. Cool and pleasant breezes almost con- 
tinually prevail; and as may well be imagined from its position on the 
wide ocean, the air of Bermuda is the purest of the pure. 
The trade of Bermudais carried on by a dozen or more island vessels 
and others from England, United States, Nova Scotia, and Prince Ed- 
ward Island. The island vessels are built of cedar, the most durable 
of all woods; but as that timber is getting scarce, ship-building is not 
carried on to the extent it was formerly. The principal exports are 
onions, tomatoes, and potatoes, chiefly to New York, during the months 
of April, May, and June. Arrowroot has also been for many years a 
well-known Bermudian product, commanding a high price in every part 
of the world. 
Bermuda is a British military post, and there is one line regiment 
always garrisoned there, as well as artillery and engineers; and the 
dock-yard is one of the stations of the West Indian squadron of the 
British navy. 
The following brief topographical description of the islands is here 
presented as an introduction to the special natural history papers which 
are to follow, and which often contain reference to special localities. It 
should be read in connection with the map. 
Beginning at the eastern extremity of the archipelago, we observe 
upon the map. 
St. George’s.—This was once the chief town of the islands and resi- 
dence of the governor; but Hamilton, which is more centrally situate, 
was chosen in its stead about the latter part of the last century. The 
town is quaint and interesting ; the streets are so narrow that in places 
two portly persons would almost jostle each other in passing. They 
were constructed when carriages were unknown on the islands. 
