IN^ FLORIDA. 115 



but their nakedness was nearly covered by tlic un- 

 fading leaves of their neighbors. The shrubs and 

 undergrowth were as bright in hue, seemingly, to 

 our uneducated eyes as possible. But by the time 

 we were leaving, even we could notice a decided 

 change. The green had put on a deeper verdanc}', 

 the brown had disappeared, and suddenly there 

 sprang into life a myriad of flowers. The yellow 

 jessamine covered the swamps and lilled them with 

 a mass of perfume as well as an array of loveliness. 

 Scarlet lobelias thrust their bright heads boldly 

 from the water-side, along with wllite lilies and 

 arrow-heads, and on the higher grounds hundreds 

 of wild flowers, many of which we could not name, 

 charmed us with their beauty. The magnificent 

 magnolia was bursting into bud. As the orange 

 trees Avere being denuded of their ripe fruit, the tiny 

 sweet smelling blossoms made their appearance, till 

 the branches bore at one and the same time, buds, 

 flowers, and green and ripe fruit. The inland lakes 

 and ponds were covered with pond lilies, which are 

 called '^ bonnets" by the natives, and made a deli- 

 cious picture with the broad green leaves and the 

 bright yellow flowers. Language fails in describing 

 the exquisite beauty of the verdure of the country. 

 We found Florida laden with fruit ; we left it cov- 

 ered with flowers. 



