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BOTANY OF . |

‘|| BERMUDA. —

By H. B. SMALL.
é : AUTHOR OF ;
““RORESTS OF CANADA” ; ‘ANIMALS OF
NORTH AMERICA”’’; ‘‘ CHRONICLES

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BOTANY

BERMUDA.

BY H. B. SMALL,
j%
Author of ‘‘ Forests of Canada,’’ ‘‘Animals
of North America,’’ ‘‘ Chronicles

of Canada,’’ etc., etc.

Hamilton, Bermuda,
22nd August, 1900.

DEAR SiR,—I beg to hand to you herewith
for the Board of Agriculture, (gratuitously) if
they see fit to accept, a work I have compiled
on the Botany of Bermuda. It contains the
results of two years observations, and is, I
think, as accurate as a work of this nature
ean be. I have avoided as far as possible,
the use of botanical terms, so as to make it
comprehensible to every reader. Should the
Board publish it I shall request a few copies
for distribution among botanical friends out
of Bermuda.

I have the honour to be,
Yours faithfully,
H. B. SMALL.
Mr. BisHopr,

Sup’t. Botanic Station,
Bermuda.

Botany of Bermuda.

————

To account for the origin of vegetable life
on isolated islands far distant from any other
land—islands such as Bermuda, St. Helena,
St. Paul, Asecencion Island and others, is one
of the great problems that the botanist has
not yet solved in spite of all the theories put
forward. Such a thing as a special creation,
science does not acknowledge. The winds
could not carry seeds to these distances so
far from the mainland, and few, if any, could
retain vitality in the ocean drift so far. Birds
may carry undigested seeds that will germi-
nate under favourable conditions, but the
seeds of certain so-called indigenous plants
could hardly have been thus transported. It
must be borne in mind that the Bermudas
are not in the line of the direct flight of bird
migration, which lies far nearer to the main-
land coast, and it is only under stress of
weather or violent winds that flights of birds
are driven on these shores, and even then
only stragglers from the main body. The
only theory that seems to be practical is that
the Bermudas are the unsubmerged moun-
tain peak retaining plant life enough to re-
stock the new land as it gradually rose again

through submarine and voleanic upheaval,
and that sparse as at first were the remnants
of vegetable life left undestroyed, these as
favourable conditions arose in the course of
time again took up their old habitat, and as
inthe human race generation succeeds genera-
tion, so as time rolled on the herb-bearing
seed afterits kind reclothed barreness. There
are geological evidences in the eaves of Ber-
muda that 800,000 years have rolled by in the
formation of one stalagmite, which now lies
in the Edinburgh museum, so that these
islands may bea relic of the lost Atlantis, a
theory by no means improbable, or that an-
other Bermuda, the indications only of which
are now left by what is known as North Rock
and its reefs, lying north of the present
islands, was that mountain peak, whiist the
present land was subsequently raised long
after the coral polyps had done its work of
reconstruction on other submerged peaks.

The natural sandy and light soil of Ber-
muda is by no means conducive, from its ele-
ments, to growth, as is evidenced by the
necessity for application of fertilizers to pro-
duce more than two or three crops. The hol-
lows between the hills, where there is an accu-
mulation of decayed vegetable matter, almost
peaty in its composition, scarcely warrant
the name of marshes, although closely ap-
proaching such formation. The washings of
the hills clothed with the universal juniper,
have for centuries contributed to the forma-
tion of humus or vegetable soil, but the ab-
sence of the ordinary deciduous trees of the
north militates against the formation of leaf-
mould which maintains northern soils.

The decaying coral rock, decomposed as it
is by atmospheric action, contains no chem-
ical elements as in other geological forma-

. 5

tions to add fertility to the soil and with the
exception of bird life there are no animals to
contribute to fertilization. Yet in spite of all
these apparent drawbacks, there is a luxuri-
ance of growth attributable to the moisture
and warmth of the climate, and the remark
has been made that if a branch was only
stuck in the ground it would grow—a remark
not far astray. Situated as Bermuda is, in
the swirl of the Sargossa Sea there is seldom
want of rain to add to the moisture, and
although there are no fresh-water pools,
streams, or even springs, existing, yet the
rain drawn back to the sea through the per-
meative rock like a sponge is a constant
provider of moisture to the roots of trees and
plants alike.

Evolution is not to be ignored to a certain
extent in the production of variety of species,
but that evolution would produce a mulberry
from a palmetto, or vice versa, is at once
_ ridiculous, and yet both these trees were
abundant on the Bermudas as the ear-
liest records of wrecked discoverers of these
islands prove, and to-day the number of
species or even the existence of certain plants
in the profuse vegetation so moist a climate
favours, is probubly not known. To ascertain
and divide into different sections what are
actually indigenous, what have gradually so
spread in the course of time as to be next to
indigenous, what have been accidentally
introduced or brought in for ornamental pur-
poses, and which have since spread over the
soil, is a difficult undertaking. Those which
have gradually crept out of cultivation, and
which may be termed ‘‘escapes”, having in
their new condition assumed wild growth
characteristics, can be traced, and one of the
objects of these pages is so to classify the

known plants that they may be placed under
one or other of the above categories.

It is a well known fact that as man pierces
his way into the wilds certain plants follow
his path, and often become a nuisance, and
destructive of the native flora; one solitary
seed perhaps dropped from his clothing, or
shaken out of his baggage, takes to the soil
and surroundings. Garden seeds alsoare apt
to introduce some weed which, unnoticed in
its growth, suddenly becomes abundant. This
has been well evidenced in America and Aus-
tralia, an example of which may be cited in
the common thistle. The common plantain
was unknown in Ameriea till the advent of
the white man, and is called in the Indian
language his ‘‘footsteps.” A most striking
evidence of the rapid propagation of a plant
new to a country is that of the life-plant
(Bryopbyllun) familiarly Known as ‘‘ Flop-
pecs,” which, originally a native of Asia, was
introduced here as a garden e:triosity, and
which now covers every old stone wall, dis-
used quarry, and uncultivated corner of the
islands; a plant that may be styled seedless,
but which nature amply provides for in the
reproduction of its species by the leaflets at
the crenature of the fleshy leaves when de-
tached from the parent plant, one leaf alone
thus producing a nnmber of new young
plants. The Oleander, again, a comparatively
recent introduction from the shores of the
Mediterranean, may now be said to fairly
eover the island, contributing largely to its
beauty, but attempts to destroy it or even to
minimize its growth seem to give fresh
vigour to its reproduction from the root and
its seeds with their downy appendages take

root wherever they fall.
Bermuda Botany may thus be recorded

a ae

=."

under the head of Indigenous, or those plants
actually natives, notably the Palmetto, the
Juniper, and the Mulberry; Semi-indigenous,
or those which have become so numerous as
to form the chief flora of the island; Weeds,
or plants introduced accidentally by man;
and Escapes, or those which having escaped
from gardens and cultivation have natural-
ized themselves and partly reverted to their
original wild conditions, for all garden
flowers were at one time wild in the country
of their origin. Especially notable among
these are the Purple Verbena, the Morning
Glory and the Narcissus. There is probably
no country in the world producing so great a
variety o" flora, the porosity of its rocks to-
gether with the humidity greatly promoting
growth an.l vitality. Plants may frequently
be seen clinging apparently to a bare coral
wall and springing out of its soilless crevices,
growth being mainly due to the moisture in
the rock.

To the above classes may be added another
elass comprehending specially imported trees
and plants, not taking into it, however, the
generality of garden plants, but trees which
from time to time have been brought in and
which have taken with great vigour to their
newhome. Notable amongst these are the
Prideof India, the Rubber Tree, Ailantheus
and others.

Indigenous.

To enumerate With accuracy the actual
indigenous plants is next to impossible, for
although the early discoverers and settlers
make mention in their records of certain
trees and shrubs, no allusion is made to
plants except in one instance where the
scurvy grass is spoken of. The only means

left to judge of the vegetation existing when
Bermuda was discovered is the analogy of
other West India Islands and the mainland
eoast nearest to these islands. The following
list is so made out:—

Juniper . Aster
Palmetto Fleabane
Mulberry Dogbush
Sea Shore Grape Marigold
Olive Scevola
Mangrove Centaury
Buttereup Solanum
Stinging Thistle Salvia
Stock Rosemary
Star of the Earth Pigeon Berry
Pepper Grass Vervain
Seurvy Grass Capeweed
Marsh Mallow Sagebush
Burr Bush Snuff Plant
St. Andrew’s Cross Bindweed

Creeping Sorel
Bay Bean
Kugenia
Butterwood

Wild Passion Flower

Cactus
Prickly Pear
Wild Fennel
Rhacicallis
Bog Bush
Galium

Seaside Lavender

Sam phire

Euphorbia

Bayberry

Spanish Bayonet

Aloe

Iris

Various Grasses

All the ferns, (with the
exception of a culti-
vated maiden hair.)*

There is now a discussion respecting two
ferns said to be found only in Bermuda.

Semi-Ind' genous.
Of what may be styled the semi-indigenous

plants or those which have been introduced
from time to time and becoming widespread,

*Fungi of various species, including the
edible mushroom.

have reverted to a wild state, or the seeds of
which have been deposited by birds, the fol-
lowing isat the best but an incomplete list:—

Red Poppy Pellitory
Fumitory Pilea
Alyssum Sponia

Silene Wild Pepper
Cerastium Pancratium
Sandwort Aloe (garden)
Pearlwort Cleome

Flax Virginia Creeper
Hibiscus Poison Ivy
Wire-weed Acacia
Hypericum Phaseolus
Balloon Vine Sophora
Dodonea Christmas Bush
Mullein Desmanthus
Goatweed Ludwigia
Herpestis Datura
Maurandia Spiranthus
Four O'clock Poultry Grass
Pigweed Cane Shot
Mercury Rush

Croton Heath

Variety of grasses, many of which may

have originated from seed brought over in
bales of hay or straw.

Weeds.

These have doubtless for the most part
originated from seeds accidentally mixed up
in imported seed packets, seeds mixed up in
soft packing material, and sometimes cling-
ing seeds which may have been attached to
clothing, and which dropped off unperceived
as the clothes were worn.

Wild Mustard (Sinapis Nigra)

Charlock (Sinapis Arvensis)

Peppergrass (Lepidium Virginicum)

Wild Geranium (Geranium Carolioniensis)

Nettle (Urtica Urens)
Dock (Rumex Obtusifolius)
Shepherds-purse (Cupsella)
Wild Radish (Raphanus)
Chick weed (Stellaria Media)
Black Pea (Dolichos Sphoerospermus)
Clover (Trifolium Pratense)
Melilot (Melilotus officinatis)
Vetch (Vicia Sativa)
Purslane (Portulaca Oleracea)
Alexanders (Smyrnium Olusatrum)
Burtr-Parsley (Caucalis Nodosa)
Shepherds Needle (Bidens Leucanthus)
Groundsel (Senecio Vulgaris)
English Plantain (Plantago Major)
Ribwort (Plantago Lanceolaka)
Nama (?)
Catnep (Culamintha Nepeta)
Boerhavia (Hrecta)
Amaranthus (Retroflexus)
Black Clover (Mdicago)

MY - (M. Denticulata).

Escapes.
Scarlet Geranium Tobacco
Nasturtium Cape Gooseberry
Balsam Verbena
Indigo . Justicia
Lotus Mimulus
Evening Primrose Speed well
Night-blooming Cereus Buckwheat
Field Madder Spider Lily
Chicory Lilies (generally)

Toad-Flax (Linaria)

Specially Introduced.

Pride of India Poinciana

Tamarisk do. Puleherrima
Galba Almond

Tacoma Peach

Orange Fig

zie

Lemon West India Laurel
Loquot Myrtle
Surinam Cherry Elder
Pomegranate Honeysuckle
Papaw Tansy
Otaheite Walnut Oleander
Bamboo Brugmansia
Cane Fiddlewood
Stoneerop Calabash
House-leek Bougainvillea
Laurestinus Avocado Pear
Sweet Bay Plane-tree
Castor Oil Ailianthus
Tulip Tree Magnolia
Negundo Mahogany
Banvan Rubber
Weeping Willow Soursop
Cherimoyer Custard Apple

Sugar Apple
Burning Bush
Cassava

Royal Palms
Arrowroot
Shell Plant

indigenous.

Juniper or Bermuda Cedar (Juniperus Ber-
* mudiensis)—A large evergreen tree, the ear-
liest discoverers of the islands mentioning it
as covering them. Thé wood is durable, fra-
grant and admits ofa high polish. It bears
a purplish berry, size of a pea, from which the
old residents prepare a conserve which has
been found efficacious in colds and lung com-
plaints. The male tree bears catkins which
in spring scatter clouds of pollen over the
female trees, fructyfying their catkins and
perfecting the berry. Many large trunks of
this tree have been from time to time dredged
up off Ireland Island, an evidence of the fact
that what is now sea, was at one time dry
land.

Palmetto (Sabal Umbraculifera)—A tree gen-

erally distributed over the islands, from eight
to ten feet high with a stout cylindrical stem
varying according to location. On rocky
hills it is dwarfed while on marsh lands
it is vigorous and attains twenty to thirty
feet in height. It produces greenish-black
berries, one-third of an inch in diameter. The
blade of the leaf is smooth and fan shaped,
about four feet long and rather more in
width. It is mentioned by the earliest dis-
eoverers, and proved most useful to the early
eolonists in various ways.

Mulberry (Morus rubra)—This tree is men-
tioned by the first discoverers of these islands
but the fruit seldom comes to anything. It
is from twenty to twenty-five feet high, with
dense foliage, the leaves being from five to
eight inches long and three to five inches
wide. Little attention has been paid to its
eultivation until a few years ago when the
breeding of silkworms was attempted by Dr.
Smith, but the cocoons failing to mature here
have been shipped largely to Italy and
France for silk manufacture.

Seaside Grape (Cocoloba Uvifera) is a large-
ly distributed tree, especially along the sea-
shore, of sturdy growth, with large smooth
and shining leaves three to six inches long,
and about as wide. The fruit is in clusters
exactly resembling that of the true grape,
the berries when ripe being purplish, and the
size of grapes. They however have an acrid
and rough taste very different from true
grapes. Its branches are widespreading and
the flower is small, whitish and forming
drooping racemes.

Olive (Olea Europcea)—Whether this tree is
really indigenous is an open question, al-
though one of the early shipwrecked marin-

‘13

ers mentions thistree as then growing on the
islands. It is an evergreen tree ten to twenty
feet high with oblong pointed leaves hoary
beneath, giving in the wind a silvery appear-
ance Its flowers are whitish, but no notice
has been taken of its fruit, and the tree has
reverted to a wild condition.

Mangrove (Rhizopora Mangle)—An ever-
green tree, continually throwing out from its
branches rootlets which penetrate the mud
or swamp soil, forming new trunks, and
creating thereby dense thickets. It is fre-
quently mixed with a bastard species (Avicen-
nia Nitida) distinguishable from the true
Mangrove by its dusty white appearance, the
underside of its leaves being covered with a
white pubescence.

The Butlercup (Ranuneulus Parviflorus)
with its yellow flower is too well known to
need deseription. Fromits universality there
is every reason to consider it as indigenous.
It hastwo congeners—(R. repens) with long
runners, and (R. Muricatus) more abundant
in damp than indry ground. Its stem is
erect and stronger than the other species.

The Stinging Thistle (Argemone Mexicana)
is doubtless indigenous. It grows everywhere,
its yellow flowers making it very conspicu-
ous. I's prickly leaves, spotted with white,
half-clasp the stem, and the flower stalks
grow out of the axils of the leaves.

The Stock (Matthiola Incana) growing along
the seashore bears handsome purple flowers
one to two inches. It is grown in gardens,
but this plant is not an ‘‘escape”, the wild
plant itself being evidently a native, from
which the garden varieties have been pro-
duced.

Star of the Earth (Senebiera Coronopus) with

small starlike leaves close to the ground, has
a very minute white flower, and is conspicu-
ous only from its leaves in its second year
covering at times a foot or more of ground.

Pepper Grass (Lepidium Virginicum) grows
everywhere, bearing small white flowers,
ouly the twelfth of an inch in size. It is
slightly hairy with astem from one to two
feet high.

Scurvy Grass (Cakile Oequalis) growing
on seaside rovks and in sandy bays is men-
tioned by one of the early discoverers. It
is a smooth Heshy plant, one to two feet high,
with lilae flowers, half-an-inch wide. Reade,
in his botany, expresses a doubt about this
being the real scurvy grass (cochleana offi-
cinalis) and the question is still an open one.
However, the seurvy dispelling properties of
this plant have been tested and found effect-
ive.

The Mursh Mallow (Althoea Officinalis) with
its showy rosecoloured blossoms is found
principally in the Pembroke and Devonshire
marshes. It is a stout, soft, downy plant,
from two to three feet high. It forms one of
the native remedies for coughs, boiled down
to a conserve,

The Burr Bush (Triumfetta Althoeoides) is
a shrubby plant, three to four feet high,
covered with down. Its flowers are yellow,
quarter of an inch across, and its four-seeded
pods are covered with hairy-hooked spines.

St. Andrew’s Cross (Ascyrum Hypericoides)
isa small branching shrub two to four feet
high, with yellow flowers. growing mostly in
marshland. How its name originated is open
to conjecture, but may have arisen from its
defective petals, sometimes assuming a St.
Andrew’s Cross form.

Sorrel (Oxalis Violacea) is a stemless plant,
its leaves and flower stalks rising from an
underground bulb. Its flowers are violet
coloured, and it isa most troublesome weed
in cultivated ground. There are two other
species of this plant (O. Repens) with yellow
flowers, a common weed, and (O. Dillenii) pe-
culiar to St. David’s Island, bearing yellow
blossoms. Another species (O. Cernua) is
cultivated as a garden flower.

The Bay Bean (Dolichas Roseus) is a pecu-
liar creeping plant on the seashore, with run-
ners from six to ten feet long, bearing a pur-
plish red flower. It is abuadant everywhere
on sandy beaches above high water mark,
and is most luxuriant in the debris from

' storms.

Hugenia Monticola is found on Boaz Island,
being an evergreen shrub four to five feet
high, with smooth leathery leaves, and white
flowers resembling the myrtle. It bears a
small edible berry, not unlike that of its con-
gener the Surinam cherry (Eugenia Ugni)
which it closely resembles in growth.

Butterwood (Conoecarpus Procumbens) is a
prostrate, contorted shrub with knotted and
thickly interwoven branches, frequenting
the seashore rocks. It has small whitish vel-
low blossems, and a congener of it, known as
Button Wood, is common in the swamps and
marshes (C. Erectus) where it assumes the
character of an erect shrub or small tree.

Ihe Wild Passion Flower (Passi Flora
Minima) with long spreading creepers, is a
most persistent weed with greenish-yellow
flowers, half an inch in diameter, axillary,
and in pairs. Common everywhere.

The Cactus, of which the Turks cap is per-
haps the commonest representative, is abund-

ant everywhere. This species Known as
(Melocactus Communis) frequents stone gate-
ways and pillars, and bears small crimson
flowers. The night blooming Cereus (OC.
Grandiflorus) sends long rope-like stems up
“tree trunks, and unfolds at night, perhaps
the most magnificent flower in the vegetable
kingdom, eight inches in diameter, waxlike
and fragrant, closing before daybreak. (C.
Triangularis) and (C. Coceinellifera) on which
latter the cochineal inseets feed are com-
mon, and the whole Cactus family with their
peculiar growth are always objects of attrac-
tion.

The Prickly Pear, (Opuntia Vulgaris) with
its fleshy prickly leaves is closely allied to
the Caetus. Its flowers are yellow, and are
ssueceeded by an edible crimson fruit, which
must however before eating be divested of
its spiny and thorny coat. The fruit some-
what resembles the fig in taste.

Wild Kennel (Foeniculum Vulgare) very
fetid in smell, is common everywhere along
roadsides. Its feathery foliage closely
resembles the cultivated species, throwing
up an umbelliferous head of flowers, yellow
in colour. Itis easily mistaken for the true
Fennel, but is too rank for use.

(Rachicallis Rupestris)—A low spiny shrub,
from two to three feet high, is found on the
barren hills of the south shore. Its flowers
are yellow and insignificant.

Bedstraw (Galium Hypocarpium)—A trail-
ing plant, with flowers, on slender jointed
stalks, yellow in colour, and leaves four ina
whorl. It prefers barren grounds. Another
species (G. Palustre) with white flowers, is
found in Pembroke Marsh.

Aster (botanical name undefined) does not

appear to correspond with any of the Ameri-
can species. It isa half shrubby plant, with
white blossom, but does not in any way ap-
proach the size of its congeners in the North.

Fleabane (Erigenon Canadense) is a trouble-
some weed in cultivated ground, and abun-
dant on roadsides. Flower white, resembling
the Aster family. Four other species are
common, viz: (E. Pusillum), a dwarf plant
seldom six inches high; (E. Bonaciensis,)
hairy, and from three to four feet high;
(E. Annum), similar in growth to the former,
but with purplish flowers; and (E. Jamai-
censis) six to eight inches high: flowers nod-
ding before they expand, with purple rays
and yellow disk. All these species are
abundant.

Dogbush (Baccharis Heterophylla) — An
erect bushy shrub, leaves leathery, smooth
and shining, and dotted beneath with scales.
Flower heads brownish white; common in
marshes.

Marigold (Borrichia Arborescens) is an
erect brittle plant three to four feet high,
with fleshy leaves sometimes smooth and
shining, sometimes covered with a silvery
down. The flower is bright yellow, one and
a half inches in diameter. Common on bar-
ren seaside rocks. -

Scevola (Plumieri)—A straggling shrub with
stout stems branching from the base, leaves
fleshy, flowers white, followed by a black
fruit. the size of a cherry with a dry sub-acid
taste. It frequents sandy bays, and is very
abundant near the Natural Arch.

The Centaury (Erythroea Centaurium) —
Sometimes erroneously called ‘‘ wild rice” to
which it has no affinity, is a small inconspicu-
ous plant, seldom more than six inches

high, with long, slender, rose-coloured blos-
soms found along waysides and on barren
rocky hills, very common

Nightsh de (Solanum Aculeatissimum)—A
prickly shrub two to three feet high, with
spreading branches armed with prickles. The
flower is white followed by a very poisonous
orange-coloured berry. It is found more in
woods than in the open, but is not very com-
mon. Another species (S. Nigrum) Black
nightshade, closely resembles the former, but
its thorns are not so formidable. Its flower
is white, followed by a small black berry of a
poisonous quality. It is a common plant,
frequenting waste places and old gardens

Cardinal Flower (Salvia Coecinea) is of a
herbaceous nature with crenate leaves. hoary
beneath, and produces a brilliant scarlet
raceme of flowers Its brilliant colour cannot
fail to attract notice, and it is a common
plant on dry banks, and waysides. It is es-
teemed in England as a showy garden flower,
Reade, in his botany, mentions another
species (S. Serotina) with a white flower, and
similar in growth to the former, but although
earefully looked for, I have failed to find it.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis)—A fra-
grant leaved shrub, with hoary leaves and
blue flowers. It grows with a stem one to
two feet high, much branched. Although
scattered over the island. it is most abundant
on St. David’s Island, especially on rocky
hills.

Pigeon Berry (Duranta Plumieri)—A shrub
from six to twelve feet high, with smvoth,
glossy leaves, and often pendant branches, is
a favourite ornament in shrubberies and gar-
dens, its waxlike yellow berries being very
conspicuous. Its flowers, blue in colour,
hang in long leafless racemes, gracefully

weighted with berries, the latter being
poisonous. Thev are about the size of alarge
pea.

Vervain (Stachytarpa Jamaicensis) — An
erect growing plant, one to two feet high,
bearing blue flowers on numerous branchlets,
leaves two to three inches long, common in
waste places, amid stone heaps and roadsides.
This plant is doubtless the originator of the

. Verbena.

Cupeweed (Lippia Nodiflora)— A smooth
prostrate plant, its trailing stems often root-
ing at the swoilen joints, its flower heads
purptish white. and very common as a creep-
ing weed on neglected ground.

Sigebush (Lantana Crocea)— An erect,
bushy shrub, very branching, stems angular,
covered all the year with orange yellow blos-
soms, and a fragrant odour from both flower
and leaf prevails when rubbed. This is a
favourite hot house plant with florists, being
a perpetuai flowerer. It is found all along
the stone walls and stony ridges of the
islands. Another species, very common (L.
Odorata) with small pale pink flowers and
much smaller leaves than the former is used
by old residents for cleaning cooking uten-
sils, a few branches boiled in a vessel remov-
ing any taint or unpleasant smell.

Snuff- Plant (Buddleja Americana)—A droop-
ing shrub six to ten feet high, much branched
with woolly foliage, under surface white with
woolly down. Flowers on a pendulous stem
mostly yellow, sometimes with a bluish red
tinge. It is not universally distributed, being
only met with here and there. It is one of
the most graceful shrubs on the islands.

Bindweed (Polygonum Convolvolus)—A twin-
ing vine found on waysidesand waste ground,

a bad weed, with angular stems one to three
feet long. Flowers greenish white.

Seaside Lavender (Suriana Maritima)—An
erect, bushy shrub two to four feet high, with
reddish branches, and leaves crowded, much
resembling the garden lavender. Flowers
small and yellow. Abundant on the rocky
South Shore, especially near the Natural
Arch. The natives use this plant medicinally
and have great faith in its eurative pro-
perties.

Samphire (Salicornia Ambigua}—A procum-
bent plant, creeping and rooting in the sand
andamong rocks chiefly on the South Shore,
very fleshy and juicy, and is eaten with
vinegar. Flowers very obscure and minute.

Spurge (Euphorbia Buxifolia) — A small
milky-juiced plant, half shrubby, the juice
very acrid. Leaves a milky green, with green-
ish white Hower heads. Common on seashore.
Another speeies (E. Maculata), prostrate with
reddish green flower heads. is one of the com-
monest weeds. Another species, very alter-
‘native inappearance, known as Joseph's Coat,
(E. Heterophylia) is remarkable fora deep red
blotch surrounding the terminal cluster of
flowers, they being of a reddish green. It
‘grows from two to three feet high, with an
erect stem and bright green leaves. The red
blotch surrounding the flower heads is easily
mistaken for a part of the flower itself.

Bayberry (Myrica Cerifera)—An erect bushy
shrub three to four feet high, with rough,
leafy branches, the leaves presenting a dry
and withered appearance. Its flowers are
brown catkins succeeded by berries in dense
clusters, somewhat smaller than a pea, coated
with white fragrant wax, which is used in
America for making candles. It grows in

marshes, and is very abundant in the Devon-
shire marsh. It suffers from blight.

Spanish Bayonet (Yucca Aloifolia)—Stem
cylindrical, woody; four to eight feet high,
leaves spearshaped and thickly clustered at
the summit, terminating with a woody spine.
Its flowers cluster sometimes a foot long,
pure white with purple base; are very showy
and handsome. It is a formidable plant with
its dagger-like leaves turning every way.

Bermuda Iris (Sisyrinchium Bermudianum)
with leaves from six to ten inches long, and
flower clusters of three to six on slender
stalks, is abundant everywhere in spring.
The flowers are purplish blue, with a yellow
eve, and are so abundantin some places as to
give a blue appearance to the surrounding
grass. The seed pod or capsule is remark-
able for its size on so small a plant.

The above description of indigenous plants
as far as traceable might have had more add-
ed to it, but there being no clue to warrant
their insertion in this list, the writer has
deemed it advisable to place them under
other headings. The fact of some of the
plants in this list being classed as indigenous
is mainly by analogy, but great care has been
taken with the present selection.

Semi-Indigenous.

Red Poppy (Papaver Dubium)—An erect
plant, hairy, six to twelve inches high. Seed-
pod oval and smooth. Bright scarlet flowers.
Another species (P. Somniferum) is a weed in
waste ground, as well as being cultivated for
its medicinal properties, the petals macerat-
ed in syrup being used for chest affections.
Its flowers are variable in tint, chiefly pale
purple and pink.

Fumitory (Fumaria Agraria)—A_ slender,
delicately foliaged plant, with intertwined or
intermingled stems. Flowers pink-tipped
with purple in loose racemes. Common along
fences or the south side of walls. Another
species (F. Densiflora) with pale purple flow-
ers, dark at.the tips, and with very delicate
foliage almost resembling lace, is abundant
in the same localities.

Alyssum [A. Maritimum]—Slightly hairy,
one to two feet high, with hoary leaves is
found on roadsides near the sea, flowers
small, white and sweetly odorous.

Silene [S. Gallica]|—A hairy, viscid plant,
branched, one totwo feet high, flowers white,
petals fine, nearly entire and furnished with
small scales. Found along the South Shore,
but not very abundant.

Cerastium [C. Viscosum]—A hairy plant,
with erect branched stem four to six inches
high. Flowers white.

Sandwort [Arenaria Serpyllifolia]|—Stem six
inches high, branched and covered with soft
recurved hairs. Flowers white, very minute.
Found along old walls and roadsides.

Pearlwort, (Sagina apetala) grows in grass-
like tufts. Stems numerous anda wiry.
Leaves very narrow, and flower stalks hair-
like. Flowers greenish white. A roadside
weed. ;

Flax (Linu usitatissimum]—Stem eighteen
inches, branched above, flowers purple and
numerous. Found everywhere.

Hibiscus [H. Mutabilis|—A shrub or small
tree ten to fifteen feet high. Flower stalks
long with large red blossoms, mostly seen in
gardens or neglected waste grounds. One of
the most showy shrubs on the island.

Wireweed [Sida Carpinifolia]—A small shrub

with long wiry root. A very troublesome
weed. Flowers half an inch, yellow.

St. John’s Wort [Hypericum Perforatum}
erect with stemstwo-edged. Flowers yellow.
Rare, and only found on waste ground.

Balloon Vine [Cardiospermum Halicacabum}
—A delicate climbing plant, bearing white
flowers and solitary seeds inflated, bladder-
like, and marked with a heart- ein a spot.
Not very common.

Dodonea {[D. Burmanniana] an erect branch-
ing shrub four to six feet high leaves gum-
my, large with long flower stalks. When not
in flower it closely resembles the oleander.
Fiowers green.

Mullein [Verbascum Thapsus]|—Herb, with
densely woolly thick leaves from two to four
feet high Flowers golden yellow along and
elose tothe stalk. It is familiarly known as
** Devil’s Tobacco,” and the leaves are smoked
for asthma. Common.

Goatweed [Capraria Biflora]—A smooth leafy
shrub, two to four feet high, branches tough,
leaves fringed with hairs on the margin,
flowers in pails, white. Common.

Herpestis |H. MonneiraJ]—A smooth pros-
trate creeping plant, abundant especially in
damp soil. It forms such masses in its
growth as to kill all other vegetation where
it spreads. The flower is insignificant, white
with purple throat, but very small head.

Maurandia {M. Sempervirens|—A smooth
evergreen climber with long slender wiry
stems. Leaves triangular, flowers pale pur-
ple, one inch long, climbs over hedges and
thickets. Common along waysides.

Four O'clock {Mirabilis Jalapa]J—A smooth
plant with a tuberous root, with flowers in
terminal clusters of six or eight, shortly

stalked. It opens at 4p.m., and closes early
next morning. Flowers red, varying to white,
yellow, and white with red centre. Rare on
waysides.

Pigweed (Chenopodium Album]—An_ erect
plant two to four feet high, leaves long, whit-
ish, with powdery scales. Flower minute,
green and mealy. Another species [C. Mu-
rale] with bright green leaves, and green
mealy flowers, closely resembles the former
but is only half its height. Both produce
black shining seeds, in a berry. [C. Anthel-
minticum] Wormseed belongs to this family;
is an erect leafy plant of a bright green
eolour and strong aromatic smell, two to
three feet high. Flowers minute, yellowish
green, clustered in whirls; seeds round, shin-
ing dark brown. Common, especially in neg-
lected grounds.

Mercury {Mercurialis Annua]— An erect
stem six to twelve inches high, slightly
branched, leaves thin, rather shining and
very green. Flowers green, terminatingin a
spike. Not common, and found mostly in
deep shade or woods.

Croton [C. Maritima]—A small seashore
shrub two to four feet high, with slender
straggling branches, clothed with a woolly
down. It frequents sandy bays. Flowers
whitish. It is introduced into gardens as an
ornamental shrub.

Pellitory [Parietaria Debilis]—A plant with
woody stalk six to twelve inches high, dark
green foliage, flowers greenish white, with
red stigma. Grows on damp walls and rocky
crevices. Another species [P. ?] is very
similar in every respect except that its flow-
ers are greenish with white anthers. Both
species are generally distributed over the
islands.

Pilea [P. Miecrophylla]—A small moss-like
plant with very minute pink flowers, stems
spreading flat. Found on old walls near Salt
Kettle. It is allied tothe lace plant of the
gardens.

Sponia [S. Lamarkiana]—A rough shrub or
small tree with spreading branches. Flowers
small, white and inconspicuous. Found at
Walsingham.

Wild Pepper [Piper ObtusifoliaJ—A smooth
fleshy prostrate plant, the flower ends stand-
ing erect. Leaves fleshy and shining, two to
three inches long. Flower spikes green.
Common near all caves.

Pancratium {P. Maritima]—Leaves strap-
shaped, smooth, leathery, eighteen inches
jong, flower stem shorter than leaves, flow-
ers white, fragrant, four to six inches long:
Common near Watford, and scattered here
and there over the island.

Aloe [A. Vulgaris] — Seareely any stem,
throwing up suckers around it. Leaves one
foot long, very thick and glutinous, curved
upwards with spiny teeth. Flowers yellovy,
nodding. Common on sandy wastes, and
eultivated in gardens.

Cleome [C. Viscosa]|—An erect plant twelve
to eighteen inches high, covered densely with
sticky glandular hairs. Flowers yellow and
seed capsule three inches long, round and
tapering. Seeds very numerous. Common
in fields.

Virginia Creeper{Ampelopsis Quinquefolia}
—A shrubby ereeper, ascending walls, palings
and oll trees, to which it adheres by dises on
the end of tendrils. Flowers small, pale
green. One of the handsomest creepers, from
the peculiarity of its leaves assuming a

bronze or crimson appearance when the
summer heats are over. ;

Poison Ivy [Rhus Toxicodendron|—A climb-
ing vire, the stem attaching itself by means
of ivy-like rootlets to trees, rocks and walls,
rising to a considerable height. Flowers
greenish yellow, small. The juice of this
plant is irritating to the skin, and although
not even of the same species as the American
poison ivy, is yet very troublesome to some
dispositions, whilst others can handle it with-
out trouble.

Wild Acacia |Luccena Glauca|—A common
shrub along waysides, with pinnate leaves,

and flower in dense globular white heads.
“Seed pods following are from four to seven
irches long, flat, compressed, twelve to twen-
ty seeded. Seeds flat, .polisned, not unlike
water melon seeds. Common on waysides
everywhere, especially towards Spanish
Point. .

Phaseolus [P. Semierectus]—A half shrubby
plant, twining and ascending trees ten to
twelve feet. Flowers purple, with stalks
three to four inches long, te:minating in
flower raceme. Seed pod three inches Jong.
Found in woods near Joyee’s Caves. Rare.

Sophora |S. Tomentosa]|—A small prostrate
shrub, clothed densely with soft hairs; stems
branched’ and woody. Flower stalk or
raceme hoary, one foot long, and carrying
many blossoms. Flowers bright yellow.

Christmas Bush [Cassia Bicapsularis]—An
evergreen shrub, three to four feet high, with
long weak trailing . branches and smooth
stems, leaves smooth, ten to twelve blossoms
on the flower stalk, whitish brown, followed
by a pod nearly cylindrical, four to six inches

long. Not very common, grows along hedges
and old walls.

Desmanthus [D Virgatus]—A slender shrub,

four feet high, with twiggy smooth stems.
Flowers white, followed by a pod two inches
long, wide, flat, compressed and ten seeded.
Rare—Hungry Bay, Somerset.

Ludwigia {L. Repens]|—An aquatic plant,
with brittle stems, rooting at joints. Leaves
oval, one inch long, flowers green and yellow,
found on marshes, spreading sometimes on
to reclaimed land.

Yhorn Apple [Datura Stramonium] — A
branching plant, two to three feet high,
green stem, leaves six to nine inches long,
coarsely toothed, thorny at crenations.
Flowers white, followed by an erect seed head,
one to’ two inches long, covered with stout
prickly spines, hence its name. It is of a
poisonous character, but the leaves are occa-
sionally smoked for lung affections. Waste
places, and corners of cultivated ground
seem best adapted forits growth. Another
species [D. Tatula] with purple stem, and
bluish white flowers is abundant. A garden
species [D. Metel] with trumpet-shaped flow-
ers six inches long, often confounded with a
similar plant [Brugmansia Suaveolens] is
very showy and attractive.

Spiranthus |S. Tortilis]|—Slender erect stem,
one to two feet high, leaves narrow, flowers
white in one row, spirally twisted, ending in
a terminal spike, two to three inches long.
Found in Pembroke marshes. Not very com-

mon.
Poultry Grass {[Commelyna Agraria] —

Smooth prostrate stems much branched and
interwoven, several feet long, flowers bright
blue, a most troublesome weed. Common
throughout the islands.

Cane Shot [Canna Coccinea]—Erect leafy
plant, sturdy, three to five feet high; leaves
long, sheathing the stem, with prominent
veins along them. Flowers two inches long,
red lip varied with yellow. Abundant in
waste corners of fields and inside of stone
walls.

Heath {(Russelia Juncea]—An almost leaf-
less plant, with long rush-like jointed branch-
es, and long scarlet tubular flowers, is abun-
dant along old walls. It is not in any way
a true heath, but like many other Bermuda
plants, the appellation is a mispomer.

Weeds.

There is no reliable report or data respect-
ing the arboreal or floral vegetation of these
islands between the early records and the be-
ginning of 1800,

Hemsley, whose report on the botany of the
Bermudas in connection with the Challenger
expedition is the best work of reference, says
‘the botanical history of these islands really
began in 1806 when Michaux visited them.
Hemsley thinks the native plants may be put
down at from 140 to 150, and that a parallel is
offered on the eastern side of the Atlantic by
the flora of the Azores. ‘‘ Weeds and chance
‘*species,” he says, ‘‘brought here in seed
‘packages naturalize with facility, and per-
‘‘haps few places of so limited an area offer a
‘‘oreater variety or so much to gratify a bo-
**tanical observer.”

Wild Mustard (Sinapis Nigra)—Stem one to
two feet high, with bright yellow ‘flowers in
long racemes. It is a most troublesome weed
to get rid of, and like another species known
as Charlock (S. Arvensis) is often so densely
grown as to give a field a yellow appearance.

Pepper Grass (Lepidium Virginieum)—Stem
one to two feet, slightly hairy, flowers small,
white, leaves pungent to the taste. Grows
on waysides and on cultivated land, and is
very common.

Wild Geranium (G. Carolinianum) — A
spreading plant, rather hairy, main stem be-
coming prostrate when mature. Leaves five-
lobed almost to their base. Flowers, pale
lilac and veined. Common on waste ground.
The peculiarity of its seed vessel has given it
the name of Cranesbill. It is said to be the
origin of pelargoniums and geraniums.

Nettle (Urtica Urens)—A plant bristling alli
ever with very irritating stings. Flowers
green. Plant too well known to need descrip-
tion. Another species (Stachys Arvensis)
Hedge Nettle, has no stinging property. Its
flowers are purple, varied with white. Com-
mon. Still another species, the Dead Nettle
(Lamium Amplexicaule) has very weak brittle
stem almost transparent, flowers rosy, varie-
gated with white. and asmaller similar plant
(L. Purpureum) bears purple flowers.

Dock (Rumex Obtusifolius) — Stout stem,
two to three feet high, leaves six to ten inches
long and half as wide, red veined. Flowers
green. Two other species: R. Sanguineus,
reddish coloured leaves, and R. Crispus with
curly leaves, are all common as wayside weeds.

Shepherds Purse (Capsella Bursapastoris) —
Six to twelve inches high, leaves spreading
on ground next the root, flowers small, white,
followed by triangular seed pods. Blossom
easily affected by weather, which has given
it the sobriquet of ‘‘Poor Man’s Weather
Glass.” Not very abundant, but specimens
erop up here and there.

Wild Radish (Raphanus Raphanistrum)—

Very similar to the garden radish, w:th pale,
yellow flowers; is not uncommon; grouped in
patches by the way sides.

Chickweed (Stellaria Media) — A common
weed in cultivated ground, is a densely grown,
procumbent plant with small white flower.
It is sought after for cage birds which delight
in feeding on its leaves.

Black-eye Pea (Dolichos Sphcerospermus) is
frequently met with in fields, where its twin-
ing stems, matted and interwoven, cover con-
siderable space. Flowers variab'e, yellow or
white, blotched with purple, followed by long,
slender, and well seeded pods.

Red Clover—(Trifoleum Pratense)—A pros-
trate plant, with long stems and three-lobed
leaves. Fiower-head like a small purplish
ball - Grows in fields and waste places, but is
not cultivated as in other countries for
fodder.

Sweet Melilot (M. Officinalis—A branched,
erect plant, two feet high, with orange-yel-
low flowers; the whole plant very fragrant
which has given it the name of Sweet Clover,
its leaves being clover-shaped.

Vetch — (Vicia Sativa)—A climbing plant,
akin to the pea, with slender stems and ten-
drils. Flowers purple. It is not cultivated,
as it is elsewhere, for fodder. If grown to
plough under, the nitrogenous nature of its
roots greatly improves the soil.

Purslane (Portulacca Oleracea)—A prostrate
plant with spreading, brittle and fleshy
stems, pinkish. Flowers miuute, yellow.
Leaves sometimes used in salads. It is a
very troublesome weed, growing very rapid-
ly, and covering quite a space. Another
species (L. Portulacastrum) is found on sandy
bays, very common,

Alexanders (Smyrnium Olusatrum)—A stout
erect herb, two to three feet high, with a
shining, angular and furrowed stem, not un-
like celery, is found sparingly in waste
ground. Flowers yellow, bearing seeds simi-
lar to coriander. It is cultivated for its me-
dicinal properties, the root macerated in rum
being used externally and internally for
rheumatism.

Burr Parsley (Caucalis Nodosa)—A small
herb six to eighteen inches high, rough all
over with short granulated hairs, leaves
dense, resembling the carrot. Flowers pink-
ish white, in dense subglose heads, common
in waste places.

Shepherd’s Needle (Bidens Leucanthus)—An
erect, branching plant, stems four, angular,
nearly smooth. Leaves serrate. Flowers
yellowish, followed by barbed awns which ad-
here to clothing, and give evidence how seeds
ean be conveyed to distances from such con-
ditions.

Groundsel (Senecio Vulgaris) — An erect
weed, about one foot high with a fleshy
stem. Flowers yellow, heads drooping, grows
sparingly in waste ground, and is sought
after like chickweed for caged song-birds.

Plantain (Plantago Major)—A plant almost
sessile, with large leaves, not unlike a young
‘dock, throwing up a slender whip-like spike
terminating ina lengthened head, with in-
conspicuous greenish white flowers. In the
northwest of Canada this plant was un-
known until the country became settled,
and it is to this day called by the Indians
‘“‘whiteman’s footsteps.” Closely allied to it
is the Ribwort (P. Lanceolata) with narrower
leaves three to five ribbed, somewhat woolly.
Flowers inconspicuous and found everywhere.

Catnep (Calamintha Nepeta)-A strong smell-
ing downy, herb, one to two feet high, stems
straggling and brittle, and flowers pale lilac.
From its aroma it appears to be closely allied
to mint. It is used as Catnep tea to induce
perspiration when feverish, or suffering from
colds. -

Boerhavia (B. Erecta)—A nearly erect plant,
two to three feet high, smooth-stem, leafy.
below and spreading out above. Flower
stalks thread-like, flowers minute, pale pink;
a common weed in cultivated ground.

Amaranthus (A. Retroflexus)—A plant three
to four feet high, reddish and grooved, leaves
three to four inches. Spikes green, densely
flowered. It is atall, conspicuous weed, and
not uncommon in cultivated ground.

Black Clover (Medicago Lupulina)—A pro-
cumbent plant, with slender branched stems,
almost creeping. Clover leaved. Flower-
heads yellow; commoneverywhere. Another
species (M. Denticulata), closely resembles
the former, except that the flowerhead is
armed with two rows of spines, and flowers
more orange than yellow. Both varieties are
common and are often called Yellow Clover. |

Escapes.

Scarlet Geranium—I have found this grow-
ing in old quarries, and field corners, flower-
ing as profusely as in a garden. Slips or
branches thrown away root readily anywhere
under favourable conditions.

Nasturtium (Tropcolum Majus)—This plant
I have found in several places far apart from
any garden.

Balsam (Impatiens Hortensis)—This plant
also is about equally distributed with the
former.

Indigo (Indigofera Anil)—A small shrub,
three feet high. Leaves accompanied with
oblong spoon-shaped leaflets. Flowers small,
purplish, followed by bow-shaped cylindri-
cal pods, half an inch long, and four to six
seeded. It is found in fields and waste
ground, probably the remains of former cul-
tivation,

Lotus (Lotus Jacoboeus—An erect evergreen
plant, with slender, round, downy stems
with three or four flowers collected at end of
long stalks. Flowers reddish brown, followed
by pods in branches of three or four with a
bristle-like point. Is looked on as a weed,
although frequeatly found as a garden
flower. 5

Evening Primrose (G&nothera Longiflora)—
An erect plant, covered with dense soft hairs.
Flowers yellow and sweet scented; only open
at night and close with the morning sun.
Seed case is four-angled. Another species
found at St. Davids and Tuckerstown (C8.
Humifusa) is half shrubby, leaves silvery,
flowers one inch in diameter, orange yellow.

Night-blooming Cereus (Cactus Grandiflorus)
affords after sunset one of the most magnifi-
cent flowers in the whole vegetable kingdom.
Its long rope-like stems ascend trees and
walls and attain quite a height. The flower,
rose-pink white, invariably closes before day-
break. 5

Field Madder (Sherardia Arvensis) is a
prostrate hispid plant, with stems one foot
Jong, leaves half an inch long, flowers pink,
followed by dry seeds separating into twin
divisions. Found at Salt Kettle.

Chicory (Cichorium Intybus)—Erect, rigid,
tough, angular stem with bare spreading
branches. Heads sessile, in pairs and florets

along stalk often twenty in number. The
flowers are bright blue, very conspicuous, and
the plant being ubiquitous cannot fail to be
noticed. The root is used to mix with coffee.

Toad Flax (Linaria Vulgaris)—An upright
plant, one to two feet high, slender, smooth
and leafy stem with narrow leaves pointing
upwards allthe wayup. Flowersvery showy
yellow, with deep orange palate, and a point-
ed spur hanging downwards. It is familiarly
known as “‘ yellow snapdragon,” and “eggs
and bacon.”

Tobacco (Nicotiana Tabacum)—A plant four
to six feet high with large leaves, rather
downy. Flowers pink, two inches long. Its
locality is around old ruins and occasional
waysides, it being a remnant of what was at
one time largely cultivated here. Of late
years, however, no attention has been paid to
it, probably in consequence of the moist at-
mosphere rendering the curing of it uncer-
tain.

Cape Gooseberry (Physalis Peruviana)—Has
all parts velvety, with long soft hairs,
branches spreading, leaves heart shaped.
Flowers yellow, with large purple spots at
their base; followed by a berry the size of a
small cherry enclosed in a ten-ribbed calyx.
It is cultivated in gardens, but has escaped
in various places into the open country.

Verbena—(V. Chamoedrifolia)—With rough,
rather wrinkled leaves, spreading over the
turf, is only a few inches high, but is so
abundant in patches as to give a universal
colour to the spot where it grows. The pur-
ple flowering verbena is the most generally
distributed, and though I am informed the
pink and the white species have also escaped,
I have failed to verify this.

Justicia (I. Luridasanguinea)—A shrubby
plant, sturdy and densely clothed with good
sized leaves, may be frequently seen on the
edge of woods, on field corners especially in
shady nooks. The flower is reddish white,
and forms a head with very attractive ap-
pearance. The white and the reddish flower-
ing species are abundant, a very large patch
of both growing on the east side of the Ham-
ilton exhibition grounds.

Mimulus (M. Luteus)—Known also as the
Monkey Flower, is an oveasional straggler
from cultivation. Its growth varies accord-
ing to locality, ranging from a few inches to
one foot high. It may occasionally be seea
on some old wall, or entrance pillars. The
flowers are not unlike the Snapdragon, pur-
plish red. It may be called rare in its es-
eaped form.

Speedwell (Veronica Agrestis)—Stenis pros-
trate and slender with slightly hairy leaves.
Flowers small, pale blue, veined. The plant
is very insignilicant, growing in waste ground
and as a weed in gardens. Another species
(V. Arvensis) has erect stems four to eight
inches long, with a pale blue flower only the
eighth of aninch. It is very similar to the
former, except in its erect growth. Another
species (V. Peregrina) has an erect stem four
to eight. inches high, leaves more fleshy than
the other species, flowers white, diminutive,
and found mestly as a weed in cultivated
ground, and in waste neglected places.

Buckwheat Polygonum Fagopyrum) — An
erect .smooth plant two to three feet high,
stem juicy, leaves arrow shaped, flowers nu-
merous in short racemes of a pale rose col-
our, almost white, followed by an edible grain,
greatly used in America. It grows in neg-

lected marshy fields in Pembroke, and is a
relic of former cultivation.

Spider Lily (Pancratium Ovatum)—Leaves
oval, two feet long, and flower stem ereet,
two feet high. The flowers, white and deli-
cate, with six slender segments and wavy
margins, not unlike a huge white spider, at-
tenuated in form, are very conspicuous. It
grows wild around Somerset, and I have seen
a few stray plants on the North Shore, and
near Devonshire Bay.

Lilies Generally—It may be said that there
is scarcely any species which has not escaped
and established itself in outside localities.
Thrown out with garden 1ubbish, they soon
establish themselves and seem to flourish as
well as in cultivated ground, if the locality
suits them. If, however, the soil is poor,
they soon dwindle down and pass what might
be called a struggle for existence. From the
many varieties of escaped lilies, a garden
might be stocked with bulbs.

Escape>=.

Wandering Jew (?)—A semi-prostrate trail-
ing plant, throwing out numerous fleshy run-
ners ftom the crown of the root, with axillary
‘spurs bearing asmall blue ‘flower. Leaves
glossy, merging occasionally into purple.
Locality, Five Finger Point. Rare.

Specially Introduced.

Pride of India (Melia Azedarach)—A large
tree thirty feet high or more, with dense
green foliage, has been introduced as an
ornamental street tree from the Mediterra-
nean, and has now become common round
country houses. Flowers lilac, followed by
yellow berries which hang till spring. It is
one of the few deciduous or leaf-shedding

trees of winter, when its bare stems and
branches are by no means a thing of beauty.
This however, is compensated for by its
dense green cool-looking foliage during the
hot months.

Tamarisk (Tamarix Gallica)—An evergreen
tall shrub, eight to twelve feet high, peculiar
for its slender and feathery branchlets, close-
ly overlapping. Flowers are catkin like with
minute pink blossom. This plant was intro-
duced from the Mediterranean, and has been
largely planted along the North Shore, as its
foliage stands the sea spray without any ill
effects, whilst oleanders adjoining are seald-
ed and withered by spray. Itis very grace-
ful and forms a beautiful hedge.

Galba (G. Calaba)—A tree twenty to thirty
feet high, branching from the ground up-
wards; leaves oblong, leathery and shining.
Flowers white, fragrant, and followed by a
small edible fleshy fruit. When trimmed
young it forms’a splendid hedge or wind-
brake in fields. It was introduced here from
the West Indies.

Tecoma (T. Pentaphylla)—A tree in appear-
ance not unlike the Galba, is known generally
as ‘‘ White Cedars;” an entirely erroneous
misnomer as it has nothing in common with
the true cedar. It is a handsome, bold grow-
ing tree, with oblong, leathery, glossy leaves,
and rosy white flowers. It is not generally
distributed but several trees are on the Public
Building grounds and on the principal streets.

Orange (Citrus Aurantium) — The Orange
was formerly largely cultivated here, and
Bermuda oranges were eagerly sought after.
A destructive insect, however, some years
ago, attacked the trees, and from its ravages
for want of care and spraying, the trees have

reverted to almost a wild state, and field ecul-
tivation has unfortunately taken the place of
fruit. Under the instructions, however, of
Mr. Bishop, Superintendent of the new Ex-
perimental Gardens, who has bestowed es-
pecial care on orange cultivation, the island
may look for a revival of fruit growing. The
same remarks apply to the lemon, the shad-
dock and lime, all of which with care would
do well.

Loquat (Eriobotrya Japonica)—A handsome
evergreen tree, brought from Japan, from
fifteen to twenty feet high, thrives well in
sheltered situations, and is a handsome ad-
dition to any garden. Its white flowers, in
spikes, resemble somewhat the English horse-
chestnut, and are followed by an edible yellow
fruit, shaped like a plum.

Poinciana (P. Regia)—A handsome tree,
twenty to thirty feet high, with very wide-
spreading branches. often reaching nearly to
the ground and with a smooth, gray bark
closely resembling an elephant’s trunk. Its
leaves are feather-shaped, one foot, bearing
twelve to eighteen pairs of small entire leaf-
lets. Its flowers are yellow, striped with
crimson, followed by a pod twelve to eighteen
inches long. This tree was introduced from
Madagascar, of which island it is a native. -
It may be considered one of the handsomest
trees in Bermuda.

Barbadoes Flower Fence (P. Pulcherrima)—
Though entirely unlike the former, belongs
tothe same family. It is an evergreen shrub,
its branches armed with prickles, and when
clipped and pruned forms excellent garden
hedges. Jt is a profuse flowerer, its gay
orange-red blossoms with peculiarly long

stamens and seedstalk (style) lasting continu-
ously through the year.

Almond (Amygdalus Communis) — The
Apricot (Armenica Vulgaris) and the Peach
(Amygdalus Persica) were all at one time cul-
tivated here, but seem to have been aban-
doned owing to disease. Asin the case of the
orange, attention may yet be given to their
recultivation.

Fig (Ficus Carica)—This fruit has been neg-
lected, and the trees allowed to revert to
almost a wild state. They are subject to a
fungus growth known as rust, but spraying
must be freely used if fruit is desired.

India Rubber Tree (Ficus Elastica)—This
tree is closely allied to the fig, but assumes
such enormous and fantastic growth. that it
is an object of especial admiration. An enor-
mous specimen is to be seen at ‘‘Par-la-Ville,”
at the foot of Queen Street, a tree, which
from its huge spreading branches, at once
attracts the attention of all visitors.

West India Laurel (Prunus Occidentalis)—
With its evergreen, laurel-like leaves, spot-
ted with white, forms avery handsome shrub.
It is very ornamental.

Myrtle (Myrtus Communis) has evidently
been introduced from the Mediterranean, and
closely following on it is the Surinam Cherry
(Eugenia Ugni) bearing a five-angled waxed
red fruit, known here as cherries, but a very
poor substitute for the real cherry that is
grown all over England.

Pomegranate (Punica Granatum) one of the
most delicious fruits growa, a very bright
green foliaged plant with magnificent scarlet
blossoms. Like allother kindred fruits, its
cultivation has been neglected. The fruit
has a dense. leathery rind, and the pulp of

that fruit with its sub-acid and sweet taste is
one of the most refreshing fruits that can be
used in hot weather. Itis an introduction
from the Mediterranean.

Papaw (Carica Papaya). This is a peculiar
unbranched tree ten to twenty-five feet high,
naked stem up to summit, where leaves one
to two feet in diameter, on long stalks
present an appearance imitating the Palm.
There are male and female trees, the female
being covered near its Summit with round
orange-looking fruit, one above the other
along the stem. This fruit has of late years
attracted the attention of the medical pro-
fession for its peculiar pepsine qualities. It
has the property of softening the fibre of
meat in cooking, and is much used for that.
It was introduced from the West Indies.

Walnut (Otaheite) (Alewrites Triloba) is to
be seen in the Public Building grounds, and
one tree is on the exhibition grounds. Itis
sometimes called butternut, but it has no
similarity to the tree of that name common
in Canada and America.

Bamboo (Bambusa Arundinacea) is a very
graceful tree, especially when planted in
clumps, its jointed stems rising thirty or
forty feet and swaying about with every
passing breeze. Its slender branches are not
hollow like the main stem, but are solid and
bear narrow leaflets about six inches long.
Closely allied to it is the Cane (Arundo Donax)
with stems rising from ten to fifteen feet,
terminating in a large tawny plume, not un-
like the pampas grass.

Laurestinus (Viburnun Tinus) — A small
evergreen Shrub, with clusters of white flow-
ers, is to be found in gardens. One specimen

I found away from any house, on the road to
Hungry Bay.

Sweet Bay (Laurus Nobilis)—Mostly found
in gardens‘ with an occasional escape, is a
handsome aromatic evergreen.

Castor Oil Tree (Ricinus Communis)—This
plant assumes here the size of a small tree,
ten to fifteen feet high; its stem is often pur-
plish, its leaves one foot in diameter, flowers
on branched divisions, with prickly casing.
Its flowers are green with purplish tinge. It
delights in old disused quarries and stony
ground, where it attains its full height.

Tulip Tree—(Liliodendron Tulipifera) is a
handsome tree, twenty to thirty feet high,
bearing large, handsome flowers not unlike a
tulip—hence its name. A very fine specimen
is in the grounds of Pembroke Hall.

Box Elder (Negundo Americanum)— This
tree belongs peculiarly to the northwest.
where it is known as Manitoba Maple It is
a handsome tree when properly trained
voung, but its stem without that is apt to
grow twisted and gnarled. In the northwest
the Indians tap this tree and make maple
sugar from its sap.

Banyan—The only tree of this species on
the island is on the Tucker Estate, near the
new Public Gardens. As it stands well out
in the open its peculiar form of growth is
well seen.

Weeping Willow (Salix Babaloniea)— This
tree was first brought here in 1832 by Lady
Turner, and although it has not spread to
ary extent, vet it may he seen in the Pem-
broke Valley and other moist situations.

Sugyr Apple (Anona Muricata) Custard
Apple (A. Reticulata) Soursop (A. Squamosa)
have all been introduced from the West

Indies, but their fruit does not appear to be
much in demand. ’
Burning ‘Bush (Poinsettia Pulcherrima)—A —
handsome shrub, five to six feet high, its
branches being conspicuous from terminat-
ing in clusters of green, red, and yellow flow-
ers, surrounded by a whorl of very bright
scarlet. The blossom is most attractive.

Cassava (Jatropha Manihot)—A smooth,
shrubby plant, three to four feet high, is eul-
tivated for its starch, from which tapioca is
prepared by washing. It also forms an arti-
cle of food for the natives, who, especially at
Christmas time, supplant the English plum-
pudding with cassava pie.

Elder (Sambucus. Nigra) is by no means
uncommon, but its showy white blossoms
seldom produce fruit. Probably the want of
winter’s rest, which all deciduous trees get
in the north, tends to barrenness.

Honey-Suekles: (Caprifoliam Sempervirens,
and: Louicera. Japonica) are trained along
verandahs, and are very fragrant. They may
be seen growing over old walls in Devon-
shire.

Tunsy (Tanacetum Vulgare) with its feather-
like leaves may be noticed round many small
cottages, and is valued as astomachie and
tonic.

Oleander (Nerium Oleander). A bushy ever-
green shrub, six to twenty feet high, braneh-
ed from the base. It was originally intro-
duced here from the shores of the Mediter-
ranean,,. and has taken so kindly to the soil
and climate that it has spread all over the
islands, and has become quite a nuisance to
farming interests. The more it is cut down
the thicker it grows up again, and as its seeds
are as feathery as thistle down they spread

everywhere. When in full bloom the scent is
almost overpowering, and itis said to exert
on some people poisonous effects. The
blossoms range in colour from fine white to
various shades of deep red searlet. It con-
stitutes excellent hedges or wind-breaks.

Brugmansia (B. Suaveolens) is a garden
shrub, and with difficulty distinguishable
from the Datura (D. Metel) both of them yield-
ing very large white trumpet-shaped blos-
soms. The former isa West Indian plant,
and the latter having wild congeners on the
island may or may not be a native.

Hiddlewood {Citharexylum Quadrangulare]
a tall tree twenty to thirty feet high, cylin-
drical, branchlets four angled. Itis not unlike
the beech tree of the North, but for its long
bunches of berries succeeding a hanging blos-
som. Flowers white. It is a valuable timber
tree.
Calabash (Crescentia Cujete). This tree is
scattered here and there throughout the
islands, butis by no means common, The
hard shell of its fruit admits of ornamental
earving and handsome cup-like ornaments
are made from the shell. A calabash tree at
Walsingham is famous as having been plant-
ed by Tom Moore, the Irish Poet, when living
in Bermuda. ;

Bougainvillea (B. Spectabilis)—This is one of
the most beautiful creepers in the islands.
It was introduced a few years ago. but has
thrived to such an extent tnat scarcely a
garden wall is without it. Its beauty consists
of the large, scarlet, leafy bracts, growing in
triplets, and from which the more delicate
flowers rise. It gives an appearance of a
mass of sweet pea flowers thrown together.

Avocada Pear (Persea Gratissima)—known

also as the Alligator Pear—Is a handsome,
well-grown tree of considerable height and
growth, but seldom maturing its fruit here.
It has been originally brought here from the
West Indies, where the fruit matures well.

Plane Tree (Platanus Oecidentalis) — A
handsome branching tree, forty feet high,
smooth bark, and flowers rongh heads or
balls, which remain hanging on long stalks
like a prickly nut, long after the flower
is over. One or two fine specimens are in the
Hamilton Park, and two or three also at
Spanish Point, but it is not universally dis-
tributed.

Tree of Heaven (Ailianthus Glandulosnus) is
a handsome tree, twenty to thirty feet, with
deep cut green leaves and white clusters of
flowers. The scent of these is said to be
slightly poisonous. and years ago when this
tree had become quite numerous on the
streets of New York, the city authorities had
them all cut down, medical men attributing
numerous eases of illness to the proximity of
these blossoms to bedroom windows.

Magnolia (M. Grandiflora)— A handsome
evergreen tree, twenty to thirty feet, with
bright, shining green leaves, and large pow-
erfully scented white and pinkish flowers,
much resembling a waterliiy. There are only
a few trees on the island, and it is a pity that
so beautiful a tree is not more cultivated

Mahogany (Swietenia Mahogani)—Only one
of these solid-looking, massive-trunked trees
is on the island, growing at the Flatts. It is
pointed out as a curiosity as is also the fol-
lowing tree at Mount Langton, viz:

Satinwood (Swietenia Chloroxylon) — This
and the preceding tree are experimental,
and hardly adapted to Bermuda.

Royal Pulms or Cabbage Palm (Oreodoxa
Oleracea)—of which a splendid row graces
Pembroke Hall, is a most handsome tree, its
stem rising like a marble monolith, fifty or
sixty feet. terminating in graceful feather-like
plumes. This tree was imported from the
West Indies and a few specimens are to be
seen in private grounds. The cocoa-nut palm
is Similar in growth, but more frequently on
marshy ground, whilst the Gru-gru Palm,
Catechu and Date are also occasionally to be
seen.

Palmetto (Sabal Umbraculifera)—Eight to
ten feet high. has already been described
under the head of the indigenous trees.

Shell Plant (Alpinia Nutans)—An elegant
Janee-leaved plant bears a nodding bunch of
pink white flowers, rare.

Arrowr ot (Maranta Arundinacea) is largely
enltivated and manufactured on the islands,
the Bermuda arrowroot being highly esteem-
ed. The stem of this plant is from two to
three feet high, bearing large, lanceolate
leaves and white flowers. It requires con-
stant attention in its manufacture, the starch
requiring continual washing, and _ being
finally dried and bleached in the sun.

There are numerous individual specimens
of other trees and plaints that require point-
ing out before they are noticed, such as the
Caper Bush, Star Apple, Lignum Vitw, Bit-
terwood, Bean Caper, Lucerne, Saintfoil, Sad-
dle-flower, and some _ others. Especially
noticeable among them is the Sanseveria
Zenlandica with long, ribbon-like leaves, mot-
tled like the bark of a snake and presenting
a remarkable appearance.

The Haster Lily, of which there are two
species, Lilium Harrissi and L. Longiflora is

largely cultivated, not only for its bulbs
which supply the florists of the world, but also
for its buds exported for Easter decorations
in America. A very large trade is carried on
with this plant, also with the onion, and the
early potato.

The lists recorded in this work are imper-
fect, but care has been taken to enumerate,
as faras possible, plant life as seen by the
ordinary observer.

Ferns in Bermuda.

The ferns and fern life of these islands are
so fully and ably deseribed in a bulletin of
the Torrey Botanical Club, by Mr. B. D. Gil-
bert, that to give another description here
would be only invidious. Consequently the
names and habitat are simply given, with
ay special remarks called for. The principal
fern localities are the marshes and the caves,
and damp walls or rocks.

Adiantum Capillus Veneris— Walsingham
district. Planted out by Governor Lefroy, it
is not a native or indigenous, but may from
its spread be now counted as a naturalized
species.

Adiantum Bellum—A common fern, grow-
ing everywhere on rock surfaces by the road-
side and on garden walls. Universal.

Adiantum Belluin Wa'singense—A variety
of the above but wuch larger. Abundant
near Walsingham.

' Pteris Longifolia — Uneertain whether a
native or naturalized. Crevices of walls and
rocks round Hamilton.

Pteris Heterophylla—Open caves and cliffs
of Walsingham. Itis known as the “‘ parsley
fern.” Scarce.

Pteris Aquilina Caudata. — Devonshire
marsh. Very luxuriant, growing from ten
to twelve feet high.

-Woodevardia Virginica—Pembroke marsh,
and north side of Devonshire marsh, plenti-
ful in latter locality.

Asplenium Dentatum—Frequent on rocks
at Walsingham.

Asplenium Trichemanes—Common_ every-
where.

Asplenium Myriophyllum—Rare, and lia-
ble to extinction. Church Cave.

Asplenium Laffanianum—An endemic spe-
cies. A specimen sent to Kew proved entire-
ly new. It is very rare. Walsingham and
Church Cave.

Dryopteris Aculeata—Described by Gilbert
and stated by Hemsley of the Challenger
growing at the caves. Being in the Kew col-
lection, it must stand as a Bermuda species
at least of a former time.

Dryopteris Capensis—In danger of exter-
mination, being very rare. Devonshire
marsh. It is known as the ‘* Ten Days Fern,”
it keeping green for ten days after cutting.

Dryopteris Ampla—Rare. Paynters Vale.
Lefroy cites it as ‘‘common by roadsides.”
Doubtful if ever common.

Dryopteris Patens—Very abundant, es-
pecially in the marshes, where it attains a
height of four feet, and one and a half in
width.

Dryopteris Thelypteris—Grows sparingly
in Pembroke marsh, and in a marsh on the
north side of Hamilton.

Dryopteris Mollis—Planted out by Lefroy,
but not to be found now, though a few strag-
glers may exist.

Dryopteris Villosa—Trott’s Cave, Paynter’s
Vale, and a cave south of Church Cave. Plen-
tiful in those localitles only.

Dryopteris Bermudiana—An endemic spe-
cies. Locality unspecified, but specimen
obtained by the Challenger.

Nephrolepis Exaltata — Common among
rocks at Walsingham.

Polypodium Elasticum (Plumula) — Payn-
ter’s Vale and Walsingham tract, sparingly.
’ Polypodium Pectinatum—Hemsley the only
authority for this species, giving Walsing-
singham as its habitat.

Acrosticum Aureum—Abundant in brack-
ish marshes, the South Shore marshes yield-
ing smaller specimens than those in Devon-
shire.

Acrosticum Lomarioides — Distinguished
from previous species by its larger size, at-
taining sometimes a height of eight or nine
feet. It grows in the Devonshire marsh out
of the reach of tide water.

Osmunda Regalis— Abundant in Pembroke
and Devonshire marshes.

Osmunda Cinamonea—Same localities as
above, and very abundant, and luxuriant in
growth.

Blechnum Occidentale—Cited by Lefroy as
‘‘planted out in suitable places in 1877.” No
evidence of its existence now, and may be re-
garded as a case of fuiliire to become natural-
ized. Eliminating this and Dryopteris Mollis
there are twenty-five species and varieties
that may properly be regarded as native or
naturalized. There are four distinetive
species and variety belonging to Bermuda
alone, evidently the remains of an earlier
geological period than the present. — sur-
face of Bermuda.

Snuff Plant (Buddleia Neemda)—Used for
cataract in the eyes.

Scurvy Grass (Cakile Maritima)—Alterna-
tive, and used for skin diseases.

Squill Scilla (Orinthoyalum Latifolium)—
Syrup for infantile sore throat.

Sarsaparilla (Smilax Sagittoefolia)—Tonie
and blood cleanser.

Spurge Vitimelly (Euphorbia Peplus)—Juice
removes warts.

Tansy (Erigeron?)—Used as a tonic and
in liver complaints.

Vervain (Stachytarpheta Jamaicensis) —
Used in yellow fever.

Wireweed (Sida Carpinifolia) — Juice re-
moves and assauges wasp and bee stings.

Wormwood, Tormseed (Artemisia Tenui-
folia) —Tonie and used as a vermifuge.

The writer will be glad to hear of any addi-
tion to the above, as there is a probability of
a warden being planted with medicinal herbs
to test their capabilities, and to ascertain if
they are worth cultivating. There are sever-
al wholesale houses in New York dealing
solely in herbs, barks and seeds

Water Plants.

The water and marsh plants of these
islands may be considered as forming a class
of their own, but whether they are indigen-
ous or otherwise is an open question difficult
to solve. It is a wellknown fact that birds of
aquatie habits carry undigested seeds of
water plants tofar distances, as has been
evidenced in ponds of estates in England
where water plants suddenly appear, the con-
geners of which may be miles away from the
new locality of growth. It may thus be
assumed that seeds of water weeds. have been

introduced into Bermuda during the tran-
sient flights of water birds which make these
islands a resting place in their migratory
flights, an idea strengthened by the facet
that very few of the Bermuda species repre-
sent those belonging to the inland waters of
the continent, whilst salt marsh plants pre-
dominate. The fel'owing list embraces the
majority if not all of the aquatic plants.
Duckweed (Lemna Minor)—A smail leaved
floating plant, common on stagnant water.

Marshweed (Marestail) (Equisetum Palustre)
—Common in Pembroke Marsh.

Sulphur Wort (Chara Foetida) abundant in
wet ditches, growing mostly under water.
Its sulphureous smell bas given its name.

Sedge (Kyllingia Mouoeephala)—Wiry grass
shaped leaves, apt tocut in handling, common
in Pembroke and Warwick Marsh.

Clubrush (Seirpus Validus)—Common.

Prickly Sedge (Cladium Occidentale)—Takes
its name fromits prickly seed pods. This,
together with (Scirpus Plantagineus) and
Scirpus Melanocarpus, local names unknown
but comprehended as sedge, are common in
Pembroke Marsh.

Rush (Juncus Tenuis) and (J. Maritimus)—
Large marsh rush, are common in wet places,
the latter preferring watery ground.

Dayflower (Commelyna Agraria)—General
in wet places; bears a bright blue flower;
sometimes called Chickengrass.

White Sedge (Rhyneospora Stellata)—Abun-
dant in Pembroke Marsh.

Para Grass (Panicum Molle)—Grown in
marhsy grounds and cut as cattle food.

Catstail (Typha Angustifolia)—Rare.

Ditchweed (Ceratopbyllum Demersum) —

Common in Pembroke Marsh and water
eourse, and in the wet portions of Devonshire
Marsh.

Wild Fiag (Linum Usitatissimum)—Natural-
ized in Pembroke Marsh.

Water Chickweed (Montia Fontana)—Com-
mon in ponds and ditches everywhere.

Marsh Mallow (Kosteletzkya Virginiea) —
Upper end of Pembroke Marsh, and in Dev-
onshire marsh. Conspicuous for its large
rose-coloured flowers in autumn.

? No local name (Eclipta Erecta)—A many-
branched tall weed, smooth stem and swollen
joints. Common on banks of watercourse in
Pembroke marsh.

Pluchea (P. Odorata. and P. Purpurascens)—
The former rare in Pembroke, and the latter
a rare annual in Shelly Bay swamp, and
around Warwick pond.

Polygonum (P. Acre)—Abundant in various
marsh ditches.

Glasswort (Salidcornia Fruticosa)—Known
also as marsh samphire. Common in salt
marshes.

False Nettie (Bachmeria Cylindrica)—Re-
sembles the common nettle, (without its
stinging properties) and almost transparent
stem.

Turnsole (Heliotropium Curassavicum) —
Salt marshes. Twin spikes of small flowers
gracefully curved in opposite directions.

Sea Purslane (Sesuvium Portulacastruim)—
Moist places near the sea, and occasional
in marshes. No petals, but stamens deep
rose-pink lined sepals. Not common.

Bog Moss (Sphagnum Palustre)—Not very
common. Head or sides of marshes, and one
of the chief constituents of peat.

Orchis (Spiranthes Brevilabris)—This is the
only orchis in Bermuda. Found in Devon-
shire and in Pembroke marshes. Tolerably
abundant.

Marsh Mint (Mentha Arvensis—Common in
all marshes.

As will be seen by the above list the num-
ber is very limited as compared with other
countries, a fact probably due to the absence
of fresh water ponds and streams. Pem-
broke marsh, owing to the flowing artificial
channel which traverses it, is the best adapt-
ed for actual water plants, whilst the others,
which largely abound in ferns, of which Pem-
broke is comparatively lacking, are more
adapted to the growth of marsh vegetation.
All these marshes are the natural resort. of
birds both native and transient, and the
peaty condition of the soil is conducive to
aquatic growth. Water lilies. which have
been experimented with, fail to succeed with-
out special care, and many of the showy
swamp flowers of the North are at once miss-
ed by the botanist. This, however, nature
amply makes up for by the rich growth and
showy blossoms of the land plants. Marsh
botanizing is very attractive and the search
for specimens in localities of such a nature is
free from the apprehension of reptile life,
which abounds in the swampy and marsh
lands of the neighbouring continent.

THEGRASSES, mosses (very few) lichens, and
eryptogamous plants will form a separate bul-
letin. It may be remarked en passant that
the ordinary grasses of the island are not as
nutritious for feeding purposes as those of
more northern climes, and an occasional extra
feed is necessary for dairy purposes.

SEAWEEFDsS, forming a different class of vege-
table growth are not dealt with in a work of
this nature.

With the exception of the Pride of India,
the Poinciana and the Pomegranate, there
are no trees that may be styled deciduous on
the islands. Although not evergreens in the
true sense in which that term is applied in the
north, they vet retain such a proportion of fo-
liage during the winter season that the leaves
they shed are searcely noticeable. The rub-
ber tree, although always green, sheds a large
portion of its leaves in March, perhaps more
noticeable from their size than in other trees,
yet the new growth either forcing off the
matured leaf or supplying its place before the
latter is shed, fills up the gap. Northern
trees which require by nature or from habitat
a period of rest do not thrive here, and either
degenerate or become so straggling that they
cease to be either useful or ornamental,
Several curious individual trees are to be
seen in the Public Gardens St. George’s, and
in the Park, Hamilton, but they may be called
solitary specimens, and not ranked among
the regular trees of the islands.

Actual garden flowers and shrubs are not
in the above list, neither are the cultivated
vegetables, as being scarcely botanical speci-
mens,

OMITTED IN Escapes: Morning Glory, (Con-
volvolus) and Narcissus; and in SPECIALLY

INThODUCED: Life Plant, (Bryophyllum)
Tamarind, several Palms, Ivy (Hedera),
Queen of Shrubs.

In 1623 a hundred vears after discovery, an
old chronicler writes ‘“‘there are abundance
of potatoes, tobacco, sugar cane, indigo, cas-
Sava, pumpkin, water melons. and most deli-
cate pine apples, plantains, papaws, English
artichoke, pease, ete,” so that cultivation
had evidently made great strides in that
period of time. Also he mentions “ oranges,
lemons and pomegranates.”

The recent establishment of a publie gar-
den here must materially assist in develop-
ing the botanical capabilities of these islands,
and experiments will show what can b+ dona
in the way of reproducing the fruits reeorded
by the early chroniclers.

The author will be glad to have his atten-
tion ealled to any actual errors or omissions
which must necessarily oceur in a compila-
tioa of this nature, so as to enable him to ree-
tify and emendate the same in any future
edition of this work.

In conclusion, it may be said that it has
been very difficult to decide between plants
specially brought in, and those grown from
seed packages. Lefroy styles both “ fluctuat-
ing,” with “no proper place in the local flora.”
The former embrace. (onitted) Locust, Coffee,
Jasmine, Frangipani, Tpecacuanha, Baytree,
and Watercress; while to seed packages may
be traced Sandwort, Pennywort, Dandelion,
Golden Rod, Pimpernel, Dayflower and
Geum-radiatum.

There are in the Trimingham grounds, ad-
joining the Public Gardens, at Pembroke Hall,
as well asin several other private grounds
on the islands, numerous individual speei-

mens of West Indian and other tropical trees,
allapparently thriving and attaining a strong
and healthy growth. They are for the most
part fruit trees, but their bearing capabilities
shew they have taken kindly to their new
jocality. These could hardly be included ina
work like the present, but their cultivation
simply shows that with care many new fruits
wight be grown bere. Lefroy says ‘there
are doubtless plants in old gardens which
have escaped notice,” and points to ‘‘ possi-
bilities of fresh discovery in that direction.”

Apart from this botanical list there will
appear next week, by special request, a list
of the medicinal plants of Bermuda, as far as
the writer has been able to trace them.

Medicinal Plants.

Arrowrovt (Maranta Arundinacea)—Invalid
food.

Aloe (Aloe Soccotrina)—Juice used for poul-
tice. Conserve.

Alexanders (Smyrnium Olusatrum)—Car-
minative.

Birthwort (Aristolochia Trilobata) — Sup-
posedly of virtue in parturition.

Bryone (Sicyos Angulatus) — Fevers and
eolds.

Catnep (Nepeta Cataria) —Useful in chills,
eolds and fevers.

Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus Communis)—Ca-
thartic and purgative.

Cedar (Juniperus Bermudiana)—Conserve
from berries for pulmonary disease.

Centaury (Centaurea Gymnocarpa)—Used as
a tonic.

Coriander (Coriandrum Sativum)—Carmina-
tive.

Clover, Red (Trifolium Pratense)—Flowea
said to be good for urinary complaints. BAS

Datura, Thorn Apple (Datura Stramonium) — ee
—The leaves smoked relieve asthma. o

Elder (Sambucus Nigra)—Lotion and coun
ing ointment from flowers.

Fox Glove (Digitalis)—Diuretic, and used in
heart disease. ‘

Fever Few (Pyrethrum Parthenicum) —
Fevers and a tonic.

Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)—Tea used for
colic and spasms.

Horse Radish Tree (Moringa Pterygosper-
ma—Produces Ben oil used by watchmakers.

Horehound (Marrubium Vulgare)—(oaa
and colds.

Tpecacuanah (Asclepias Curassairea) Bie +
tic. NS

Mullein Verbascum Thapsus)—Leaves are
smoked for asthma and neuralgia. a

Mercury (Mercurialis Annua)—ConstipaGion:
and liver complaint.

Milkweed Aselepias—Urinary disease, uate
as poultice on loins.

Papaw (Carica Papayva)—Leaves po
believed to have curative powers externa
applied for rheumatism. Juice makes
sin, a great aid to digestion. a

Pride of India (Melia Azedarach)— Bark. ee <
astringent usefel in diarrhoea and dysente:

Prickly Poppy (Argemone Mexicana)—Juic
said to be good for inflamed or diseased e:

Quasai (Quassia Amara)—Tonic.

Seaside Lavender (Statice Caro
Dropsy.

Solanum Nightshade (Belladonna)
and used in plasters.

Small, H. Beaumont/Botany of Bermuda

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