American Fern Journal 
Vol. 2 JANUARY 1912 No 1. 
Notes of a naturalist afloat—II 
WILLIAM EDWIN SAFFORD 
(Pirate 1) 
Tue Firorma Keys 
The Florida Keys are a chain of low islands extending 
around the southern extremity of the peninsula from 
Cape Florida to the group known as the Dry Tortugas. 
They are in reality a continous coral reef and have 
been recently connected with the mainland by a railroad 
with a terminus at Key West.* The word ord “key”, ’, ap- 
plied to these small islands, is a corruption of the Spanish 
: “cayo,’’ which still persists in the name of Cayo: Largo. 
_ The name of Key West was originally Cayo Hueso or — 
“Bone Key.’’ From a biological point of view these 
_ islands are essentally West Indian instead of ag of the — 3 
