MOUNDS AND CANALS. 317 



a frying pan; I was absorbed in the amusement, when 

 I was startled by a large buck and doe plunging into the 

 bay within a few feet of my person. When Harry and 

 Frank returned they informed me that they had started 

 a number, fired at two, but did not kill. All the larger 

 islands are stocked with deer, and on most of them dogs 

 are unnecessary ; in fact still hunting is the preferable 

 mode. Coons in immense numbers exist on these islands, 

 and their tracks are visible everywhere near the bay 

 beaches. On the mud flats opposite our camping place 

 thousands of snipe and curlews could be seen at any 

 time, apparently waiting to be destroyed. In the centre 

 of the island the sportsman will find a large fresh-water 

 lagoon, where excellent water can be obtained. For the 

 invalid who is piscatorially inclined, and who desires an 

 excellent climate, we would say, Spend a few weeks or 

 months on the northern end of Little Gasparilla. The 

 air is pure, water excellent, frost absent, sea bathing 

 unequalled, fishing beyond description, deer plentiful on 

 the island and on the main land. To the sportsman this 

 island offers many inducements, and I would earnestly 

 advise any one visiting Charlotte Harbor to spend some 

 days here. Yesterday I received a communication from 

 a gentleman residing in the interior of Pennsylvania, in 

 which I find the following : 



&quot;I have greatly desired to visit Florida for years 

 past, but have feared the trip on account of fevers and 

 bad water. I have also heard much of the insects of 

 Florida, and am enough of an angler to have a whole 

 some dread of the woods in fly time.&quot; 



I proposed postponing the consideration of these 

 subjects until the final communication, but as I find so 

 much ignorance prevailing on many points, I shall take 



