ee ee 
” ” 
Remarks upon East Florida. ‘6B 
Mit 
of about half a mile. Such a project would open an interior 
navigation from Charleston to Jupiter inlet ; and below Cape Flor- 
ida it is well known that a practicable and sheltered channel runs 
around the peninsula, within the “keys.” ; Rey 
The mangrove tree. is a conspicuous embellishment of the In- 
dian River lagoon. Being of an aquatic character, these trees, 
by a happy provision of nature, are radicated to suit their thrifty 
habits, not unlike the long-legged species of birds which are fit- 
ted for the water ; they stand with their trunks lifted several feet 
in the air, seriding out roots from that elevated point, like so many 
bow-legs, to seize the earth or water below, with a base often as 
wide-spread as the branching head above. ‘Then, again, as if 
these roots could not drink moisture enough to satisfy their crav- 
ings, each branch sends down many a slender tube perpendicularly 
to the water, like somany syphons to draw it up. . The foliage is 
of the brightest green. ~Altogether,a mangrove thicket is a most 
attractive object to the eye. These thickets sometimes shoot out 
aspur into the lagoon, resembling just above the water a fish- 
erman’s weir-net, but surmounted by a most sochenelit Slee, 
and almost closing up the channel. 
The bars at the mouths of the lagoons are an sieeroation to 
_ aaa facilities of Florida. The entrance to St. Augus- 
harbor is perhaps the best on the coast, and, with proper at- 
tention to the tides and winds, is safely practicable for vessels of 
light draft. The drift of the ocean, which in this quarter is 
strongly charged with alluvion, heaps up the sands along the 
coast, constantly changing their position, with, probably, a-grad- 
ual augmentation. The inlets would share the common fate, ¢ 
be closed up, if it were not for the'outsetting currents, arising , 
waters within. - 1 
causes, with partial exceptions, keep open a chinaiel but cannot 
preserve it in one place. The bar off St. Augustine has widelfe 
shifted, being now nearly one half the points of the compass to 
the north of its position, within the memory of living pilots. 
Those of the more southern inlets are_less practicable, excep- 
ting that of the Musquito. -The channels are known only to 
those who are habitually upon them. A fearful looking surf 
is always coursing over them, when°a wind is blowing with 
freshness, which renders them formidable to strangers, while those 
who are accustomed to them, pass through it with little real haz- 
