lOO 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



The Miami River, which runs from the Everglades into Biscayne 

 Bay, is probably the only river in Florida which has a fall or rapid 

 worthy of the name. For about a half a mile at the head of this 

 stream there is considerable fall. At this point the river is shallow 

 and not navigable for boats, and has a very rapid current, in 

 which " Cavalia " {Caroux hi^ppus) are numerous and may be taken 

 with an artificial trout fly. At the head of the Miami River the 

 great Everglade swamp opens out before one like an immense, 

 shallow, grassy lake. Throughout the Everglades numerous islands, 

 large and small, are scattered about. Some of them are several 



miles in extent and 

 very fertile, but, luck- 

 ily for the Indians, 

 they are very difficult 

 of access, which has 

 prevented them from 

 being occupied by 

 white men up to the 

 present time. In the 

 fall the water in the 

 Everglades i s high 

 enough to allow the 

 use of canoes and small 

 boats, but in winter and spring it gradually lowers until boat navi- 

 gation is difficult, and in many places impossible, and the character 

 of the ground is such as to render it useless to attempt any other 

 means of locomotion. 



The Indians go from the east coast to the Big Cypress Swamp 

 during the summer and fall in their canoes. This can only be 

 done when the water is high and under the guidance of a person 

 who thoroughly knows the country. 



From New River to Biscayne Bay and the southern end of Florida 

 there are several good men, able to guide a hunting party, and who 

 know the country well. Among them may be mentioned William 

 Freeman, who lives at Little River, about a mile from Lemon City. 



