FREE INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE 



VEGETATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA 



lowering in the surface of the soil since that time. It is not likely, therefore, 

 that the soil will ever again be sufficiently depressed to bring it under the level 

 of the water, although it must be confessed that the period of observation has 

 been entirely too short to make any definite prophecy in regard to the future. 

 The organic matter, however, of the muck lands does not seem to be sub- 

 ject to complete decomposition by the natural processes of decay. The 

 humic bodies, consisting largely of carbon, appear to be capable of resisting 

 partially, if not altogether, the oxidation to which they are exposed by cultiva- 

 tion. There is considerable danger, however, from fire, especially during the 

 dry season. When fires are once started with dry muck, they continue to burn 

 until the lands are flooded on the accession of the rainy season." 



Several samples of muck were collected by Mr. Brett and his party while 

 running the level line across the Everglades in February and March, 1907. 



MUCK SOILS FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE EVERGLADES 



1 Taken 8 miles west of Pompano. 



* Taken 18 miles west of Pompano. 



Climate of the Everglades. The following tables, compiled from the rec- 

 ords of the United States Weather Bureau, give the mean annual temperature 

 and the highest and lowest temperatures at Jupiter and Ft. Myers for a 

 period of nine years: 



MEAN ANNUAL, HIGHEST, AND LOWEST TEMPERATURES AT JUPITER AND 



FT. MYERS, 1898-1906 



