BOTANY. 135 



and then, at intervals, launched in the Islands. Some 

 small vessels of war have, at different times, been built 

 also ; one, named " The Bermuda," was launched in Harring- 

 ton Sound some few years back, but she was the last man- 

 of-war built of this wood, as it was found not to answer 

 weU for vessels of that class. In sheltered situations the 

 cedar attains a goodly size, and tiidre are yet remaining a 

 few specimens of large dimensions, and supposed great 

 age. There is one situate in the old churchyard of Smith's 

 parish, which, from appearance, numbers many winters ; it 

 is put to an useful and decidedly ornamental purpose, for 

 up in its aged and time-worn branches, is placed the 

 church belL Devonshire church owns a similar structure. 

 The wood of the cedar is also rfsed for fuel, and, to a 

 stranger, the peculiar and delightful perfume emitted while 

 the wood is burning is novel and pleasing. Perhaps we 

 may here be permitted to venture an opinion, that the 

 immense number of cedar trees add greatly to the heat 

 of the climate, which, in the months of July, August and 

 September, is generally iatense. To judge of the heat 

 thrown out by one of these trees, a person need only stand 

 for a few minutes under its shade, when its influence will 

 immediately be perceived. Many of the cedars growing 

 close upon the shore, and exposed to the iofluence of the 

 heavy gales, have a stunted appearance, the trunks and 

 branches twisted into curious shapes, and their roots bare 

 and exposed. In olden time the native " squires " of Ber- 

 muda xjaloulated their wealth by the number and growth of 

 the cedars upon their estates 5 and tradition has it, that the 

 fair 'Mudian damsel who possessed a right and title to a 

 thousand goodly cedars, was in a certain way of possessing 

 a husband, should she feel so inclined. 



