THE PLANTING OF OUR FLORA 145 



are recognizable of this old warm temperate and 

 subtropical flora. The porcupine palm (Rhapido- 

 phyllum hystrix), the blue stem (Sabal adansoni} 

 (both of the upper part of the State), the saw pal- 

 metto (Serenoa serrulata) , the cabbage palmetto 

 (Sabal palmetto), and two species of comptie 

 (Zamia pumila and Z. floridana) , together with a 

 few other plants appear to be survivors of pre- 

 glacial days. 



A number of large mammals such as the ele- 

 phant, rhinoceros, mastodon, the saber-toothed 

 tiger, a glyptodon (one of those strange forms 

 which seems to have been intended for a gigantic 

 tortoise but which through some misdeal in crea- 

 tion became a mammal), and many others, then 

 inhabited Florida. They endured here the cold of 

 glacial times and survived to enjoy the genial period 

 which succeeded, then, for some unaccountable 

 reason, they became extinct. Possibly their vital- 

 ity was lowered by the long, severe winter. 



There are in the neighborhood of 1200 species 

 of native and naturalized flowering plants growing 

 on the lower mainland of Florida and about 50 

 ferns and their allies. To these add 250 species 

 on the Florida Keys not known to inhabit the 



