SOUTH SHORE OF THE MAINLAND 97 



At the time of this writing one could cross the 

 State from Northwest Cape Sable to Chis Cut on 

 lower Biscayne Bay, a distance of fifty-five miles, 

 without seeing a house. 



The entire territory is very flat and probably no 

 part of it rises more than four feet above high tide. 

 From Cape Sable to Card Sound the whole region 

 is overflowed during hurricanes from the west or 

 southwest, and driftwood is then washed up among 

 the trees to a height of four or five feet above 

 ground. 



The shore line is exceedingly irregular, although 

 not so hopelessly complicated as in the White- 

 water Bay region. A number of rather large bays 

 enter from the south, some with narrow necks, 

 while long, bootlike projections of land reach far 

 out into the sea. 



The vegetation of the hammocks is almost 

 entirely tropical, being nearly identical with that 

 of the Cape Sable country. Mahogany, Joe- 

 wood, wild dilly, mastic, and wild cinnamon are 

 characteristic, the latter being a beautiful tree 

 with rich, dark green, shining leaves which have 

 a decidedly peppery taste. One is constantly 

 being led into chewing them for their flavor of 



