NOTES ON BISCAYNE BAY. 185 



construction of a large series of ponds, which, however, woukl be open 

 to the same objection that was made to the site first referred to, namely, 

 that the position is not very near the sponge grounds, and the water 

 becomes so fresh that sponge-cultural exi^eriments could not be .satis- 

 factorily carried on. 



Bear Cut separates Virginia Key from Key Biscayne. At the north- 

 ern extremity of the latter there is a rocky bluff about 6 feet high, 

 which would be an admirable site for buildings, considered from a 

 l)urely architectural standpoint. The bay side of the point is thickly 

 overgrown with mangrove trees, while the part nearest the ocean is 

 covered with saw palmettoes. A long, shallow cove (bare at low tide), 

 in which there are a number of islands, extends into the northern end 

 of the point from the west; but the shores of the cove and its shoalness 

 probably render it unht as a site for ponds. The south end of Virginia 

 Key, however, is sufficiently near to be utilized for the purpose named 

 in the event of the northern part of Key Biscayne being found a suita- 

 ble place for a station. 



One of the localities most strongly recommended, and one which was 

 thought to combine many necessary features, is Cape Florida, whicli 

 forms the southern point of Key Biscayne and lies immediately opposite 

 Cocoanut Grove, the principal settlement on the bay. An abandoned 

 light-house occupies a reservation at the extremity of the cape, and it 

 has been suggested that the Government ownership of the ])roperty 

 would permit its acquisition by the Fish Commission without expense. 

 On inquiry, it was learned that since the abandonment of the light-house 

 the reservation has reverted to the heirs of the original owners, under 

 the terms of the agreement by which the property was ceded to the 

 Government. 



Cape Florida is a rounded, sandy projection. For a key, tlie land is 

 comparatively high, but in luirricanes, as in September, 1894, the sea 

 breaks over the entire point. The cape is occupied by a private resi- 

 dence, buildings, etc., and a large part of the land is planted with 

 pineapples and other subtropical fruits. It lies in close proximity to 

 thechannel constituting the deepest and best passageinto Biscayne Bay. 

 A recent preliminary examination of the channel has been made by 

 the engineer office of the War Department with a view to deepen the 

 entrance into the bay and the aijproaches to the cape. At present it 

 is the principal thoroughfare between bay and ocean, and may be trav- 

 ersed by vessels drawing 9 feet of water. Along the bay side of the 

 cape there is a sandy beach a third or half a mile long, beyond which 

 an unbroken mangrove swamp occupies the water line. Adjoining the 

 sandy beach is low land overgrown with scrub palmetto. No natural 

 indentations or depressions exist suitable for the construction of ponds. 

 About a mile above the end of the cape a large shallow lagoon enters 

 the key from the bay; its sides are thickly overgrown witli mangrove 

 trees. 



Cape Florida possesses many advantages for the purpose under 

 consideration, in addition to its accessibility by water and its nearness 



