141 
of southern Florida—is taking possession of large areas in the 
burned hammock, and it might even be isa ani a ae 
weed.”’ However, whether considered a weed or not, it is 
beautiful plant and bears a profusion of white Heel and ee 
black fruits the year roun 
We reached Okeechobee Giy in time to spend the night there; 
then we pushed on at dawn, across the Kissimmee River, and 
so to the Indian Prairie. 
At the eastern edge of this region we had planned to take 
a trail leading to the southwest and to Venus. However, the 
eastern part of the prairie was, to a great extent, under water 
and we missed the trail. We continued southward many miles 
before we found another trail leading westward. 
Spring had come to the prairies. On the higher ground many 
while on the right the numerous purple flowers of the 
pimpernel (Ilysanthes grandiflora) would almost hide the ground. 
Wet depressions would frequently be creamy with an abundance 
of the hedge-hyssop (Gratiola ramosicr). 
When finally Venus was overtaken we found she had become 
twins—one on the trail and another on th agus extended 
railroad. But our see naa in the ighborhood 
was an ancient peal mou nd fee we made 
almost invariably where the soi as cae disturbed. course, 
it is perhaps centuries since the earth of the mound was stirred 
by the aborigines, but ae ae have made excavations 
there within the present generation. 
Having accomplished our work here, we next tacked back 
