INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, PHILADELPHIA. 5 



in nearly all instances where large masses of this limestone are examined 

 they are seen to be bordered by, or enclosed in, a limestone of a somewhat 

 different character and color, which, in addition to numerous fragments 

 of marine-type fossils, contains the remains, beautifully preserved in many 

 cases, of freshwater organisms, such as Vivipara (V. Waltonii) and Am- 

 pullaria (A. deprcssa], and of species which still inhabit the existing 

 waters. The working over or re-formation of the original limestone is 

 thus established beyond a doubt. The same limestone is exposed about 

 a mile further up the river, where a clump of palmettos marks a turn in 

 the stream. 



For some distance above and below this point the region may be 

 described as a grass or meadow land, subject to periodical overflows from 

 the numerous tidal channels that intersect it in all directions, and which 

 in a measure disguise the principal stream. Terra firma appears only at 

 intervals, but is then clearly marked by the inevitable growth of palmetto 

 which clothes it. The tall sedges were alive with the busy and ever 

 garrulous gracklc or "jackdaw" (Qiiiscalits major), whose familiar notes 

 were poured forth in one almost continuous strain. We observed 

 numerous egrets and snow-herons, and an occasional blue-heron. Where 

 perching room was afforded we were almost sure to meet with one or 

 more individuals of the snake-bird (Plains anhinga), with expanded drying 

 wings, or the dreamy cormorant quietly watching its opportunity. Two 

 raccoons appeared on a mud flat within easy gun-shot of our boat 

 remarkably enough, if we except a limited number of deer, rabbits and 

 squirrels from the upper Caloosahatchie the only terrestrial mammals 

 encountered by our party during the entire trip of six weeks. 



At about four miles above its mouth the stream emerges from the 

 virgin forest, which extends in an almost unbroken belt to the limits of 

 vision. To one who has never before contemplated the beauties of a 

 southern vegetation it is impossible to convey an idea of the magnificence 

 of this semi-tropical jungle the endless variety of contrasts that are pre- 

 sented in the vegetable outlines, the luxuriance that is ever manifest, and 

 above all the brilliant greens that peer refreshingly through the outer 

 dense masses of foliage ! The eye never tires of following the delicate 

 tracery of the innumerable climbing plants that hang festooned from the 

 arms of some noble forester, or shroud the palmetto in a garden of its own, 

 or of gazing upon the rugged trunks of the live-oak and water-oak that 

 rise above these, and rear their crowns, heavily draped in Spanish moss, 

 against a firmament of deepest blue. Everything was bright and fresh, 

 and it seemed as though a region had been found where neither the 

 chilling blasts of winter nor the parched tongue of summer had as yet 

 been able to penetrate. I observed a marked deficiency of plants in 

 bloom; indeed, as far as my own observations went, all the visible 



