304 SOUTH-WEST FLORIDA. 



the State. The roots were very long and perfectly 

 matted, and we endeavored to force a passage through 

 the obstruction, but might as well have tried to paddle 

 or pole our canoe through one of the Xew York docks. 

 For many years I had looked forward with pleasure to the 

 day when I should visit Okeechobec, and nothing but 

 disappointment loomed up before me. To force a pas 

 sage for several miles through the lettuce we found to 

 be impossible, and after considering the matter I re 

 solved to reach the lake by wading and wallowing 

 through the water, mud, and saw-grass of the swamps 

 between me and the lake, and accordingly hauled the 

 canoe ashore. 



Had I been aware of the difficulties to be encoun 

 tered, I have reason to believe that I could have sur 

 mounted them, and reached the lake by the course of 

 the creek. If I should again visit Fish Eating creek I 

 would provide myself with two hooked sticks about 

 twelve feet long. If one man was stationed on each 

 side of the canoe, say ten feet from the stern, and the 

 two to hook into the lettuce on each side of the stern, 

 and make traction toward the stern, we are convinced 

 that such a manoeuvre would make a passage for a canoe ; 

 and the force applied would propel her ahead. From 

 our knowledge of the growth, and the difficulties to be 

 encountered in forcing a passage through such an 

 obstruction, we would advise tourists to test the mode 

 euggested. 



