56 Remarks upon East Florida. 



ard. The evil, however, is a great one, and apparently irreme- 

 diable. 



The rivers of Florida, though of no great length, are, generally, 

 of a most convenient depth. The banks are bold and firm. 

 Those which empty into the lower part of the St. John's, are fit- 

 ted for any craft that comes into the main river, or have no im- 

 pediments in the way, excepting what arise from, fallen trees. 

 There is no current to change tlieir character, which belongs to a 

 level country. 



The botany of Florida was early examined by the Bartrams, 

 and Audubon was some time among its birds, which are rich in 

 number and variety. Many anecdotes are told of the latter, 

 showing the patience with which he kept his station in swamps 

 and marshes, in order to ascertain the habits of the feathered 

 creatures there, in spite of musquitoes, reptiles, and other intol- 

 erable annoyances. Doct. Leitner, who was killed in a skirmish 

 with the Indians, this campaign, (1838,) is said to have been a 

 skilful botanist, and an ardent votary of science. Accompariying 

 a portion of the active force, he would have had uncommon op- 

 portunities for observing the plants of the southern interior, which 

 probably, came little within the scope of the Bartrams, whose in- 

 vestigations were mostly, if not altogether, on the river St. John's 

 and the coast. He had already made considerable advances to- 

 wards the object he had in view, with a most flattering prospect 

 before him, when he fell in the honorable performance of his 

 duty. 



The orange tree has been extensively cultivated in Florida, since 

 its first occupation. The Seville or sour, and bitter-sweet orange, 

 are apparently indigenous to the country, as many groves of both 

 are now found flourishing, where no labor of man would seem to 

 have placed them. The China, or sweet orange, is probably an 

 exotic. These were found, not only around nearly every house 

 in the country, but occupying a part of nearly every garden in the 

 towns. They were an important article of commerce. The or- 

 anges of Florida excelled all othei's in the northern markets. More 

 than two millions, were annually shipped from St. Augustine 

 alone. One tree there is said to have produced six thousand in 

 one year. But this staple of the country was cut down in one 

 night, in 1835. A severe frost occurred in the time of Bartram, 

 (1765,) which killed the lemon, citron, and other tender trees, 



