CHAPTER XV. 



Floridian Episodes — The Live Oakers. 



HE greater part of the forests of East Florida 

 consists principally, of what in that country are 

 called *pine barrens.' In these districts the 

 woods are rather thin, and the only trees that are seen in 

 them are tall pines, of rather indifferent quality, beneath 

 which is a growth of rank grass, here and there mixed 

 with low bushes and sword palmettoes. The soil is of a 

 sandy nature, mostly flat, and consequently either covered 

 with water during the rainy season, or parched in the 

 summer and autumn, although you meet at times with 

 ponds of stagnant water, where the cattle — which are 

 abundant — allay their thirst, and around which resort the 

 various kinds of game found in these wilds. The travel- 

 ler who has pursued his course for many miles over the 

 barrens, is suddenly delighted to see in the distance the 

 appearance of a dark 'hummock' of live oaks and other 

 trees, seeming as if they had been planted in the wilder- 

 ness. As he approaches, the air feels cooler and more 

 salubrious, the song of numerous birds delights his ear, 

 the herbage assumes a more luxuriant appearance, the 

 flowers become larger and brighter, and a grateful fra- 

 grance is diflused around. These objects contribute to 

 refresh his mind, as much as the sight of the waters of 

 some clear spring, gliding among the undergrowth, seems 

 already to allay his thirst. Overhead festoons of innu- 

 merable vines, jessamines, and bignonias, link each tree ■ 

 with those around it, their slender stems being interlaced 



