The Antillean Regicni of Florida. 675 



In the first type, Cuban Pine grows usually in pure stands on 

 the dry flat stretches along the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts. On 

 the sandy border of the latter coast there is a narrow strip of 

 Sand Pine (Pinus clansa) and the palmetto is occasionally as- 

 sociated with it. Trees up to 2^ feet in diameter and 80 feet 

 in height are common but the average is not over 16 to 20 inches 

 in diameter and 50 to 70 feet in total height. Along the Gulf 

 Coast flats the pine is inclined to be short, scrubby, and open 

 grown. Here trees frequently do not average over 10 inches 

 in diameter and 50 feet in height and occur usually about 45 to 

 the acre. Frequent overflowing is the chief cause of the 

 stunted growth. Cuban Pine includes about 40 per cent, of the 

 forest area of this region. 



The chief trees found in the mangrove swamp type are the 

 following: Red Mangrove, White Mangrove, Black Mangrove, 

 Buttonwood, and Seagrape. The mangroves often attain a size 

 of 24 inches in diameter and from 40 to 50 feet in height. 

 Their principal economic value lies in their ability to build up the 

 shores and hold the mud together by their long, complex, root 

 systems. The type is only found along the tidal shores where 

 there is an abundance of salt water. Evidences are commonly 

 present to show how this type has pushed its way into the water 

 by its remarkable soil forming qualities. North of Cape Romano 

 it forms immense bodies of thousands of acres, in dense, crowded 

 stands. The cocoanut and royal palm are distinctive trees of this 

 type and are usually found fringing the shores on the border of 

 the dense forest. 



The hardwood hammocks consist of isolated groups of tropical 

 hardwoods, shrubs, vines, and herbaceous plants scattered about 

 in the pine lands and on the keys. This type is also found on the 

 higher lands just above the mangrove shore type which probably 

 built up many of these areas by its remarkable soil forming 

 qualities. The stands are dense and frequently almost impene- 

 trable. This type represents the climax forest of this region. 

 That is, if the fires were excluded on the pine lands, it would 

 occupy all the dry flats eventually. Evidences of this are every- 

 where apparent on the borders of these hammocks where repro- 

 duction is continually reaching out and securing a foothold in the 

 adjacent pine timber. The principal trees of this type are 



