NOTES ON BISCAYNE BAY. 183 



Gruuts {Hcemulon) and groupers {Epinephelvs) constitute about three- 

 fourths of the yield. The principal other fishes taken are the porgy, 

 yellow-tail, turbot, bouefish, Spanish mackerel, kingfish, and redfish. 

 Only about 4 men followed this business in 1894, and the aggregate 

 catch was only about 11,000 pounds offish, having a valne of $410. 



BISCAYNE BAY AS THE SITE FOR A STATION. 



The special points considered in the examination of Biscayne Bay 

 witli reference to its adaptability as the site for a hatching and experi- 

 ment station were accessibility, ])resence of fish and other water ani- 

 mals, j)roximity to fishing-grounds, existence of natural beds of oysters 

 and sponges, harbor facilities, possibility of constructing salt-water 

 ponds, and the acquisition of land. 



Perhaps the principal objections which may be urged against the 

 Biscayne Bay region as the location for a station are its distance from 

 railroads and the poor transportation facilities for reaching it by water 

 and stage. The nearest railroad point in 1895 was West Palm Beach, on 

 Lake Worth, which is about 77 miles by stage from Lemon City, the most 

 northern settlement on the bay.* Two days and nights are required to 

 go from West Palm Beach to Lemon City by stage, the road being very 

 heavy and traveling extremely tedious. Another means of reaching the 

 bay is by water. Sailing vessels leave Lake Worth for Lemon City 

 and Cocoanut Grove at somewhat regular intervals, and, if the wind be 

 propitious, make the trip in one day, although the uncertainty of this 

 means of travel (vessels often being three or four days on the way) 

 leads one to prefer the slow but certain stage route. 



Within a short time, however, Biscayne Bay will become easily 

 accessible through the construction of a canal from the southern end 

 of Lake Worth to the northern extremity of the bay. Much of the 

 excavating has already been done, and it is thought that early in 1896 

 steamboats will be running on the canal. The existence of the canal 

 will doubtless lead to the development of facilities for communication 

 between the bay and Key West, and will certainly prove a great boon 

 to a region having valuable land and water resources. The climate is 

 excellent, even in summer, and the section is free from miasmatic dis- 

 eases. While mosquitoes are very troublesome in summer, they are 

 reported to be much less annoying than on the west coast or farther 

 north on the east side of the State. 



The localities on Biscayne Bay which maj be considered as possible 

 sites for a station are the end of the peninsula forming the eastern 

 boundary of the upper third of the bay, the southern extremity of 

 Virginia Key, the northern and southerii ends of Key Biscayne, Soldier 

 Key, and the several settlements on the mainland. The keys south 



*In 1896 the East Coast Raih'oad was extended from West Palm Beach to ]\Iiami, 

 thus making the Biscayne Bay region easily accessible. The canal alluded to was 

 completed some months before the railroad. The l):iy now has triweekly .steamer 

 connect ions with Key West. Miami has (1896) become an important town with over 

 2,000 inhabitants. 



