12 THE BERMUDA ISLANDS. 



large meandrinseform types which form such a prominent 

 feature in the life of Castle Harbor. In the latter, again, the 

 Tsophyllias were largely wanting. Probably upon the much 

 greater depth of water in Harrington Sound, and the absence 

 of a submarine platform, is dependent mainly the difference 

 in the coral life of the two almost contiguous bodies of water. 



It is difficult to conceive of a more beautiful arid refreshing 

 sight than that which is presented by the sheltered coral pools, 

 with their wealth of color, which bite here and there beneath 

 the crumbling banks. Corals, millepores, and stone-encrusting 

 Algae vie with each other in building up tlie common domain, 

 whose most intricate details are revealed by the transparencj' 

 of the waters. Even the tiny polyps may be seen expanding 

 their delicate crowns of tentacles. What a charming vision of 

 the busy life about us ! The sea-anemones are especially 

 abundant in these rock-shelters, and some of them are strik- 

 ingly beautiful; but on the whole they are less brilliantly 

 colored than those of our northern shelters. Among the corals, 

 some of the species of Isophyllia were the most highly colored, 

 the browns and greens being remarkably rich. Below a depth 

 of a comparatively few feet coral-life largely disappeared, and 

 along the actual floor of the Sound, say at depths of from six 

 to eight fathoms, we only obtained Oculina. No haul of over 

 ten fathoms ever brought up a coral. 



During much of our stay on the Sound the water was very 

 rough, and its inroads upon the bordering cliffs and crags were 

 painfully manifest. The Sound is now actually making, and 

 without question it has been in this condition of self-formation 

 for a long time past. The ledges, islands, and isolated rocks 

 all speak of destruction, and of the former occupancy of the 

 basin by dry land. At the present time the general depth of 

 the Sound may be taken at about 45 to 60 feet, although our 

 line frequently sounded 12 fathoms ; the greatest measurement 

 was made in what is known as the Devil's Hole opposite 

 Peniston Point, where the line ran out 14 fathoms. I was 

 informed, however, by the American Consul, the late Mr. Allen, 



