AGASSIZ: THE FLORIDA ELEVATED REEF. 57 
Still farther east mangrove swamp formed the shore edge, but for a dis- 
tance of about twenty-five miles the shore was not seen, and was un- 
known to my boatman. It is probably a low mangrove swamp. Beyond 
this unknown part, to the northeast, the entire shore line is mangrove or 
grass swamp to Cutler, a small settlement on Key Biscayne Bay about 
twelve miles south of Cocoanut Grove, where the limestone reaches the 
shore. This rock continues at or near the shore from this point north- 
ward. Southward from Cutler the border of outcropping bears to the 
west, so that it becomes more and more distant from the shore, 
A canoe, already on the border of the Everglades, had been secured 
during my absence, and an advantageous start was made by transporting 
provisions, ete. about eight miles over land. Indians epuld not be had 
as guides, so I retained my boatman, who was a strong young fellow, 
and knew as much about the Everglades as any one. The water in the 
Everglades was lower than I had supposed from previous reports. 
The objective point being Long Key! of the Everglades, our course 
was turned southwest as soon as we found sufficient water. After about 
nine miles progress in this direction, the water becoming more and more 
shallow, and progress only possible by means of an Indian trail (Plate 
XXIII. Fig. 1), an unpromising expanse of liquid mud and saw-grass 
persuaded us to return. We were not more than three miles distant 
from the pines at any time; rock bottom could be touched anywhere 
through the mud. 
A line of keys extending northeast to southwest lay to the west of our 
course, and we tried to find a way through them; we had no success 
until we had gone back on our course about six miles, Then a passage 
was forced across this stubborn divide, perhaps a few inches in height. 
On the other side was abundant water, and we turned southwest again 
on the west side of what is apparently the foundation ridge of Long 
Key. Indian hunting camps were passed and conversation held with 
the Indians. They do not like to have white men in their country, but 
do not' molest them. Again the water became shallow, openings in the 
saw-grass were without water, and we were obliged to turn back north- 
east, though trying every chance to go westward. On this line we 
reached perhaps eighteen miles from our starting point and fifteen from 
the coast. Rock foundation was everywhere within touch through the 
mud, and often visible. A specimen of rock was secured near the most 
distant point we reached. 
T'he waters of the North Fork of the Miami offered the next chance 
1 Not to be confounded with the Long Key of the main line of keys. 
