x INTRODUCTION. 
mense fields, propelled both by the swift, warm current and southerly 
winds to a far more northerly point than usual; indeed, instances are 
known, one very recently, where turtles have been captured while float- 
ing on the water within 100 miles of Halifax. 
The denizens of this favorable cover, thus brought within a compara- 
tively short distance of the northeast coast of America, wander away 
right and left, and many strike the shores and are captured, to afford 
wonder to those who are unaccustomed to their singular forms. Thus 
itis that on the coast of Nova Scotia are found, almost every summer, 
examples of West Indian Balistes, Fistularia, Hemirhamphus, Exocetus, 
&c., also the well-known ‘“ Portuguese Man-of-War” (Physalia pela- 
gica); while many large seeds of West Indian plants, such as Entada 
scandens, Mucuna urens, and others chiefly belonging to the family Legu- 
minose, are picked up at Sable Island, which lies 80 or more miles off 
the Nova Scotian coast. 
North and west of the islands, at a distance from shore in some di- 
rections of 10 or more miles, lie what are known as the outer reefs, a 
belt of submerged rocks coated with Serpule, whose hard, irregularly- 
twisted calcareous tubes often form incrustations an inch or more in 
thickness, and various other forms, particularly nullipores, stony sea- 
weeds of a rosy color, which occur as wart-like processes on all portions 
of the reef rock. Within the outer reefs, and coating the inner edges of 
these submerged rocks, grow numerous species of corals. 
Thousands of other objects help to form the population of these outer 
reefs and contribute not a little to their growth, while myriads of tropic 
fishes lurk in the snug holes and corners formed in the wave-worn rocks. 
Through certain channels in this reef vessels reach the harbors within; 
but without the aid of the pilots, a daring, clever set of fellows, with eyes 
as sharp as hawks and nerves that never fail, it would be useless to 
attempt an entrance. 
The latitude of the light-house on Gibb’s Hill is 32° 15/ 4” N.; longi- 
tude, 64° 51’ 36’ W. In shape the Bermudas form a narrow elongated 
strip of land about 23 miles long, running east and west, bent in- 
wards at one extremity like a fish-hook, and indented throughout by 
inlets, with numerous little inlets scattered over the whole extent. The 
distance from Cape Hatteras is about 600 miles; and from Halifax 750 
miles. The land lies very low, but it is pleasingly diversified through- 
out its whole area with little hills and dales. It is covered over large 
areas with groves of cedar (Juniperus barbadensis), having an under- 
