The Cays and the Palisadoes, Port Royal, Jamaica

Abstract

IN July, 1939, an expedition organized by Dr. V. J. Chapman left Cambridge, England, to study certain aspects of the flora and fauna of Jamaica and also to make a physiographic investigation of the cays.1 I undertook the present study, and I was fortunate to have Mr. J. A. Lofthouse of St. Catharine's College as surveyor. The expedition spent four weeks in Jamaican waters, during which time surveys were made of the cays in Portland Bight and, off Port Royal, of three of the Morant Cays, and also of the two largest of the Bogue Islands, in Montego Bay. Before leaving Kingston, and also after returning, a detailed study was made of the Palisadoes, the strip of sand enclosing Kingston Harbour. How this feature relates to the general problem will appear below.