228 THE OKEECIIOBEE EXPEDITION. 



and again in March, the interim being spent by the 

 greater part of the mass of ducks wintering in Florida 

 further south. 



From Xew Smyrna south occur a great many shell 

 and earth mounds of ancient origin, several of which I 

 have explored, and the results of which explorations I 

 shall publish in a future letter. 



The Mosquito lagoon commences at the Devil s 

 Elbow, a channel of the Hillsboro where there are nine 

 crooks in half a mile. We passed safely through the 

 Devil s Elbow, and arrived at the head -quarters of the 

 Swifts, proprietors of the live-oak interest here. From 

 Captain Swift and his employees we have received the 

 kindest attention. Mosquito lagoon is here two miles in 

 breadth and ten miles to the canal connecting this lagoon 

 system with Indian river. There are several orange 

 groves on this lagoon, both wild and cultivated. AVe 

 entered the canal about noon one day, passing the first 

 stake half a mile north, and standing away south-east till 

 opposite the canal. The eastern end is invisible till di 

 rectly at its mouth, owing to bushes and sand-bars. The 

 canal is about half a mile long and twelve feet wide. 

 Connecting the Indian river lagoon with the Mosquito, 

 it forms with them an inside route of water travel over 

 one hundred and eighty miles in length. The water was 

 at the highest when we entered, yet we barely passed 

 through, drawing but a foot. Fallen coquina has nar 

 rowed the passage to seven feet in some places. The 

 coquina is curiously hollowed by the water, leaving over 

 hanging arches supported by pillars fantastically wrought. 

 The kingfisher has driven his shafts into the rock, and 

 then occupied them. A large tree, with table-shaped 

 top, stands near the eastern end, and can be seen a, 



