SUBTERRANEAN STREAMS. 333 



we squinted and quizzed in vain. We turned the prow 

 of the Spray toward the shore, but could not determine 

 which opening was the mouth of the stream. Here was 

 a passage, and there was another ; openings in the salt 

 marsh appeared to be innumerable. We entered a 

 number, but soon found them to lead into shoal water. 

 Night threw her mantle over the scene, and we anchored. 

 About nine P. M. we heard the sound of voices, but 

 soon after a boat containing four gentlemen hauled 

 alongside. Upon inquiry we found that they hailed 

 from Crystal river, and were en route to Jones , on the 

 Homosassa. The pilot stated that he was unable to 

 determine his position, but that the entrance to the 

 mouth of the river was bounded to the north by a shell 

 bank. We informed our new acquaintances that the 

 shell bank they were in search of was but a few hundred 

 yards distant, and if they would follow we would pilot 

 them to the entrance. We landed at the shell bank, 

 and after indulging in a boyish-like freak of setting fire 

 to the decayed foliage of the yucca and palm trees, we 

 anchored and turned in for the night. 



Sportsman in search of Homosassa river will find its 

 mouth ten miles south-east of the Crystal, and the same 

 distance north-west of the Chisiowilski rivers. In 

 approaching the mouth of the river a mass of rocks will 

 be noticed a quarter of a mile north-west of the mouth, 

 and a white shell bank from six to eight feet high on its 

 northern side. For several miles in a westerly and 

 southerly direction from the mouth of the river the 

 water will be found, to very shoal, and the navigation 

 difficult in consequence of the existence of large beds of 

 hard limestone rocks, extensive beds of can oysters, broad 

 sand-flats, and sundry nigger heads. To parties who 



