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171 



VEGETATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA 



islands were found near there highly cultivated; but it is not probable that 

 one-tenth part of the islands have ever been visited by the whites. On the 

 southern route from the Miami River, and about 40 miles from that stream, 

 there is a beautiful island called Hocomothlacco. Around this island there 

 is a circle of grass, or mud, 400 yards wide. It is highly cultivated with 

 provisions. Seven miles north and northwest of this lies Efanoc-co-qu-chee. 

 This is not cultivated, but has some cleared land on it. It is used as a kind of 

 caravansary or stopping place for boats on their route across the Big Cypress. 

 Six miles northwest is Co-chok-o-ne-ha-jo. This island is cleared and 

 cultivated. It is near the center of the Glades. Six miles farther is In- 

 tas-kee, a large island inhabited and richly cultivated. From this island 

 the current passes to the east; after passing it the current sets to the south- 

 west." 



L. 0. 45 Miles (Ft. L. 16 Miles) . A large island identified as Pine Island 

 was seen at a distance. As the launch neared this island, the pine trees as- 

 sumed their columnar form and serrated skyline. This island has some of the 

 finest Everglades land and was set aside by the proclamation of President 

 Taft as an Indian Reservation. Wet saw-grass marsh was everywhere, 

 open channels and lagoons abound. 



L. O. 46 Miles (Ft. L. 15 Miles). The hammocks of large trees become 

 more common. One consisted of custard-apple trees surrounded by saw-grass 

 and aquatic vegetation. A big pile of dredged rock indicated the presence of 

 a rock ridge running across the Everglades. A white-tailed hawk rose slowly. 



L. 0. 47 Miles (Ft. L. 14 Miles). The same vegetation was passed. 



L. O. 48 Miles (Ft. L. 13 Miles). Saw-grass is present everywhere. 



L. O. 49 Miles (Ft. L. 12 Miles). The saw-grass vegetation is not con- 

 tinuous, but is broken by lagoons and low clumps of bushes, such as wax- 

 berry, Cerothamnus ceriferus (L.) Small, and buttonbush, Cephalanthus occi- 

 dentalis L. 



L. 0. 51 Miles (Ft. L. 10 Miles) . Many thickets are found here separated 

 from each other by lagoons. 



L. O. 52 Miles (Ft. L. 9 Miles). Here the boat is abreast of Pine Island 

 surrounded by saw-grass. The old embankments are covered with various 

 plants. The eastern pine forest, stretching north and south, was first noted 

 at this point on the canal. 



