320 WILD LIFE AND THE CAMERA 



water may be obtained from the sand flats. These 

 are sandy depressions of sometimes many acres in 

 extent in which the rain water collects. By way 

 of precaution it is usually best to boil and filter the 

 water before using it, if there is any doubt as to 

 the quality. There are three principal ways of 

 camping in Florida : driving with outfit to suitable 

 ground, canoeing or boating, carrying complete 

 outfit, and house boating, if this may be called 

 camping. Each has its own advantages. Where 

 one doesn't wish to change constantly and there is 

 a really good place, it is easy and satisfactory to be 

 driven or carried by steamer to the spot, and there 

 make a comfortable camp. If necessary have fresh 

 provisions brought once in a while. In this way I 

 have spent weeks camping by myself not far from 

 the everglades, fifty miles from the nearest villages, 

 and once a week a man came with his wagon and 

 renewed my supplies. Travelling in one's own boat, 

 be it canoe or flat-bottom boat, is delightful, and 

 has the great charm of making one feel extremely 

 independent. Owing to the shallowness of the 

 water it is well to have a boat of very light 

 draught not more than four or five inches. The 

 house-boat is comfortable of course, but its range 

 is so restricted that it is scarcely to be recommended 

 except in certain favourable localities. 



The few things necessary to one's comfort in so 

 genial a climate constitute one of its greatest charms. 

 In the way of clothing all that is needed is just 

 what light things we use during the summer months, 

 with the addition of one warm suit of underwear 

 and a sweater. These are necessary only in case of 



