144 
were three conspicuous ground covers. Two of them were 
vines, the uscadine grape (Maseidinea), the other a 
catbrier (Smilax). Both attained an unusua iant de- 
velopment and cov large areas he dunes to the exclusion 
of nearly all other vegetation. T. ground-cover was a 
prickly-pear, a species of uncertain relationshi th 
of this cactus, too, was exceptiona he quantities and the 
and we reached Marco just as it broke. For a time it seemed as 
if the mend would blow the settlement off the isla: 
ing, and we crossed to the mainland for an attempt to 
Pp 
lecting the plants then in bloom and then labored back to 
Fort Myers 
re we stopped long enough for lunch and then set out for 
low scrub, prairies, pinelands, and ponds. No part of the region 
seems higher than another 
Finally the old seplement of Punta Gorda! was reached. 
Jofinitel 
Punta Gorda , by a Kentuckian, 
a Catone Trabul. The settlement was first called Trabul, but es By post 
blished it was changed to dies Gorda which in English 
signifies broad po i idently, to the cape-like projestion - land 
where the estuary a Pease River and Charlotte Harbor me 
