Remarks upon East Florida. 55 



of about half a mile. Such a project would open an interior 

 navigation from Charleston to Jupiter inlet ; and below Cape Flor- 

 ida it is well known that a practicable and sheltered channel runs 

 around the peninsula, within the " keys." 



The mangrove tree is a conspicuous embellishment of the In- 

 dian River lagoon. Being of an aquatic character, these trees, 

 by a happy provision of nature, are radicated to suit their thrifty 

 habits, not unlike the long-legged species of birds which are fit- 

 ted for the water ; they stand with their trunks lifted several feet 

 in the air, sending out roots from that elevated point, like so many 

 bow-legs, to seize the earth or water below, with a base often as 

 wide-spread as the branching head above. Then, again, as if 

 these roots could not drink moisture enough to satisfy their crav- 

 ings, each branch sends down many a slender tube perpendicularly 

 to the water, like so many syphons to draw it up. The foliage is 

 of the brightest green. Altogether, a mangrove thicket is a most 

 attractive object to the eye. These thickets sometimes shoot out 

 a spur into the lagoon, resembling just above the water a fish- 

 erman's weir-net, but surmounted by a most redundant foliage, 

 and almost closing up the channel. 



The bars at the mouths of the lagoons are an obstruction to 

 the commercial facilities of Florida. The entrance to St. Augus- 

 tine harbor is perhaps the best on the coast, and, with proper at- 

 tention to the tides and winds, is safely practicable for vessels of 

 light draft. The drift of the ocean, which in this quarter is 

 strongly charged with alluvion, heaps up the sands along the 

 coast, constantly changing their position, with, probably, a grad- 

 ual augmentation. The inlets would share the common fate, and 

 be closed up, if it were not for the outsetting currents, arising ei- 

 ther from the tides, or the accumulation of waters within. These 

 causes, with partial exceptions, keep open a channel, but cannot 

 preserve it in one place. The bar off St. Augustine has widely 

 shifted, being now nearly one half the points of the compass to 

 the north of its position, within the memory of living . pilots. 

 Those of the more southern inlets are less practicable, excep- 

 ting that of the Musquito. The channels are known only to 

 those who are habitually upon them. A fearful looking surf 

 is always coursing over them, when a wind is blowing with 

 freshness, which renders them formidable to strangers, while those 

 who are accustomed to them, pass through it with little real haz- 



