71 
River bound for Fort Lauderdale, which course we were forced 
to take both on account of an impassable point in the Miami 
Branch canal just beyond the source of the Miami River and some 
shallows in the South New River canal near Lake Okeechobee. 
Our party made an admirable crew for the ‘‘Lida,” and all 
members had plenty of work to do from start to finish. After 
some delays on sand-bars and oyster-banks in Bay Biscayne, we 
entered the Coastwise Canal at the head of the bay, an@ passing 
through Dumbfoundling Bay, New River Sound, and Lake 
Mable, we entered the mouth of the New River just after dark, 
and proceeded slowly up the channel to Fort Lauderdale where 
we tied up at the public dock for the night. As at this point all 
traces of civilization would be left behind, we spent the evening 
partaking of the kinds of civilization especially appreciated by 
the younger members of the party, particularly ice-cream and 
oving-picture shows, both of which were of a primitive type, 
ee they were appreciated. Early the next morning, 
after making repairs to the engine of the ‘‘ Highball” in the hope 
of increasing her speed, we started up New River for the Ever- 
glades. In saying up, I merely mean against the current for the 
New River passes through a tortuous channel which covers all 
points of the compass within short distances. Its banks are 
lined with a succession of pinelands, hammocks, and wierd 
cypress-swamps. 
That the Everglades are considerably above the level of the 
sea is at once realized by the rapidity of the current that flows 
through each canal. The outlook on the Everglades cannot be 
called picturesque, except in the vicinity of Lake Okeechobee. 
The view, however, is impressive, but only so by the extreme 
simplicity of the contours and the monotony of the plant-forma- 
tion. [| e outer portion the landscape consists of water, 
saw-grass, and ion mostly scattered, usually remote, hammock 
islands. The inner part consists of a monotonous expanse of 
water and saw-grass extending to the horizon in all directions; in 
dry seasons the visible water is more or less eliminated, except in 
depressions; then nothing is in sight but saw-grass 
Two days’ travelling against a strong current, with occasional 
