IK FLORIDA. 80 



miles, where tliero is a seven-feet bar. Below this, 

 for nearly two miles, five feet is the least water, in 

 a crooked channel close nnder the eastern bank. 

 Thence are depths varying from nine to twenty feet 

 until Matanzas Inlet is reached. The route to the 

 southward leads across tliis inlet with seven feet at 

 mean low water; and on entering the river again, on 

 the south side of the inlet, you will have but six feet. 

 Matanzas River heads in the midst of extensive 

 marshes between five and six miles to the southward 

 of the inlet; and but two feet can be carried through. 

 ^^ Beyond this there is no navigation. Wishing to 

 proceed still farther southward, you must retrace 

 your course to Matanzas Inlet, cross tlie bar and 

 skirt the Florida coast for about fifty miles to Mos- 

 quito Inlet. Your pilot (for you must have ob- 

 tained one at St. Augustine or you cannot enter at 

 all) will take you over the bar with about six feet at 

 mean low water — the mean rise and fall being two 

 feet. Once in the inlet you may go to the north- 

 ward, through Halifax River to its head, twenty 

 miles above. While in the narrow passage, wliich 

 extends from Mosquito Inlet for over five miles to 

 the northward, you will carry not less tlian ten feet; 

 but when the river expands you will find shoal water 

 — the depths varying from three to nine feet, exce2:)t 

 in occasional deep holes. Tlie channel is very nar- 

 row, and can only be followed by tlie stakes. Tlie 

 small settlements of Port Orange and Dayton a are 

 situated on the western bank of this river. Tliree 

 feet at mean low water can be taken to its head, but 



