112 li^ FLORIDA. 



two. There are many rivers emptying into the 

 Indian River on the west or shore side ; these are 

 generally deep and full of fish, and well repay the 

 explorer. The only inlets are in the southern end, 

 Jupiter Inlet at the lowest extremity, and Indian 

 River Inlet a short distance above. 



Banana River, which is rather a branch of Indian 

 River than a distinct stream, is in places broader 

 and deeper ; it connects with the main river at its 

 southern extremity, and by Banana Creek at the 

 northerly end. The creek of the name is both nar- 

 row and shallow, and can only bo used by small craft. 

 There is most interesting yachting in the Halifax 

 and Hillsborough, north and south of :N"ew Smyrna, 

 which is situated on the Hillsborough, about three 

 miles from Mosquito Inlet, as well as in Mosquito 

 Lagoon, which is reached through a. narrow and 

 tortuous channel among innumerable islands from 

 the Hillsborough. So also do the Indian and Banana 

 rivers furnish safe and delightful cruising grounds, 

 with plenty of harbors or shelter for even small open 

 vessels, the only danger being that of running on 

 oyster shoals. 



A narrow strip of sand separates Indian River from 

 the ocean, and the yachtsman can occasionally, by 

 climbing into the rigging, see the blue waves of the 

 Atlantic. On this bar the bay-birds often collect 

 in large flocks, and may be killed in numbers more 

 than needed. They are of the same kinds which 

 have already been described, and are found in the 

 summer at the North. Bear are occasionally met 



