The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-14
TO SUMMER IN BERMUDA.
American Scientists Will Engage I'm
Tropical Research.

Correspondence of the Indianapolis Journal.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass, June u.-Through
the cooperation of Harvard University,
New York University and the Bermuda
Natural History Society Bermuda is to be
peacefully invaded this summer by a small
army of American scientists, microscopical-
ly intent upon prying into the secrets of its
marine vegetation and it's indigenous shells
and fishes. Interesting and important as is
the study of tropical fora and fauna it has
so far been the work of few individual
students. or, at most, of small expeditions
sent out by different institutions of learn
ing, and what they have done has been ac-
complished under conditions that were often
difficult and sometimes dangerous. Few
persons, except scientists, would choose
midsummer as time to study in the trop-
les, for, in addition to the mere discomfort
of the weather, there is also usually the
possibility of contracting serious illness, SO
that even scientists have been trying for
some years to hit upon locality that
should supply tropical conditions with
agreeable physical surroundings.
Recent experiences of individual scientists
in the Bermudas have practically estab-
nshed the fact that this little group Of
lightful winter resort, offers almost unique
advantages as a summer workshop for bot
anists and biologists. Although the islands
are distinctly tropical the weather is mild
during the whole year, rarely reaching more
than IS degrees on the hottest of summer
days or falling below so degrees in winter.
Those who have visited the islands during
the winter season have often remarked,
even without being scientists, on the wide
variety of vegetation, ranging, as it does.
from tropic luxuriance in the warm valleys
to a more temperate growth the cooler
slopes. that strongly suggest our own New
England hllsides. In the summer. too
light breezes almost constant, and help
to make the climate as comfortable as that
of many popular American seaside resorts.
What is of chief Importance to the biol
ogist, however, is the fact that the warm
waters which battle the shores of the
islands TEEN with marine life, both animal
and vegetable. The greatest variety of
conditions is presented. There are inland
seas and rocky shores. on one side acres
of lagoons and on the other deep abysses
of the sea, so that the variety OF animals
and marine plants within easy reach is
very great. The islands, moreover are un-
usually healthful-one reason for which lies
in the character of the beautiful smooth
white roads that connect the small scat
tered towns and the many white-waIled
residences that dot the countryside. These
roads, since the islands are of porous coral
formation, are notable for the rapidly with
which they dry up after a shower, and
every rainstorm carries down with IL into
the earth the germs of disease that make
life in most tropical countries almost un-
endurable Endemic malaria-malaria that
is, which is not brought 10 the island from
outside-and tropical fevers are unknown in
the Bermudas, and the drinking water,
which falls direct from passing showers