THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA. 185 



the more delicate fish having approached too near the beach 

 in quest of food, were paralyzed by the cold air and swept 

 ashore by the surf. Among the curious specimens we picked 

 up, I note the cow-fish, sea-horse, rock-fish, dog-fish, lamper- 

 eel, three varieties of the toad-fish, etc. We also collected 

 many specimens, shells, coral, sea-moss and sponges. 



The time for our departure having now arrived, we re- 

 luctantly returned to the steamer. On our departure, Mr. 

 Moore gave us a pressing invitation to visit him on our re- 

 turn and spend several days on the island as his guests. We 

 sincerely hope to be able to accept, for it is a most fasci- 

 nating place, and we feel confident that we could spend a few 

 days here both pleasantly and profitably. 



Five miles up the bay we met the steamer " Lizzie Hen- 

 derson," of the same line. The two steamers lashed to- 

 gether when we transferred to her our Key West passengers, 

 mail and freight, after which she sailed for that port and 

 we for Tampa, where we arrived at three o'clock that after- 

 noon. 



This is a pleasant little city of 1,800 inhabitants, situated 

 at the head of Tampa Bay and mouth of the Hillsborough 

 river. It is the county seat of Hillsborough county, and is 

 one of the most enterprising towns of its size in the state. It 

 is the headquarters of the Tampa Steamship Company, who 

 run a line of steamers from here to Cedar Key, one from 

 Cedar Key to Key West, and one from New Orleans to 

 Havana via Cedar Key, all carrying the United States mails. 

 During the cattle-shipping season the Cedar Key and Key 

 West line also runs to Havana. The cattle interest is a very 

 important one to this portion of Florida. Over 1,500 head 

 were shipped from this point alone during the past summer, 

 besides large numbers from other points a few miles south of 

 here. There are thousands of acres of wild lands lying adja- 



