Woodruff' s Lake. 233 



while the opposite side presented large marshes and isl- 

 ands ornamented by pines, live oaks, and orange-trees. 



" With the exception of a very narrow channel, th(! 

 creek was covered with nymphejE, and in its waters swam 

 numerous alligators, while ibises, gallinules, anhingas, 

 coots, and cormorants were pursuing their avocations on 

 its surface or along its margins. Over our heads the fish- 

 hawks were sailing, and on the broken trees around we 

 saw many of their nests. We followed Spring Garden 

 Creek for about two miles and a half, and passed a 

 mud-bar before we entered ' Dexter's Lake. The bar 

 was stuck full of union in such profusion, that each 

 time the negroes thrust their hands into the mud they 

 took up several. According to their report these shell- 

 fish are quite unfit for food. In this lake the water had 

 changed its hue, and assumed a dark chestnut color, 

 although it was still transparent. The depth was uniform- 

 ly five feet, and the extent of the lake was about eight 

 miles by three. Having crossed it, we followed the creek 

 and soon saw the entrance of ' Woodruff's Lake, ' which 

 empties its still darker waters into the St. John's River. 

 I here shot a pair of curious ibises, which you will find 

 described in my fourth volume of ornithology, and landed 

 on a small island covered with wild orange-trees, the lux- 

 uriance and freshness of which were not less pleasing to 

 the sight than the perfume of their flowers was to the 

 smell. The group seemed to me like a rich bouquet 

 formed by nature to afford consolation to the weary trav- 

 eller cast down by the dismal scenery of swamps, and 

 pools, and rank grass around him. Under the shade of 

 these beautiful evergreens, and amidst the golden fruits 

 that covered the ground, while the humming-birds flut- 

 tered over our heads, we spread our cloth on the grass, 

 and, with a happy and thankful heart, I refreshed myseli 

 with the bountiful gifts of an ever-careful Providence. 



