82 
oe at the source of the west fork of the Miami River, 
and runs in a northwesterly direction for many m 
canal 1 brought about the draining of the Eversades adjacent 
. For the most part it is cut through the 
its overlying deposits which seem to consist chiefly of areas of 
varying extent of sand, marl, or peat. The banks of pure lime- 
stone which are thrown up on both sides of the canal by the 
dredge rapidly develop a luxuriant plant covering. Herbaceous 
plants of many families and morning-glory vines often completely 
hide the rock, while in other places shrubs, such as the common- 
elder, the cocoa-plum, the Florida trema, and the tree-potato 
ow in d asse! 
the most oe phenomenon, in this connection is this: 
that banks of pure limestone are able to develop within a few 
months’ time, and maintain apparently with increasing vigor, 
such a luxuriant growth of herbaceous plants and shrubs 
waters of Bay Biscayne were examined for their plant and 
al he both by means of a water-glass from the boat, and 
by wadi uch to interest Professor de Vries was found on 
the shores of Virginia aah and Key Bay Biscayne in connection 
with their piss Nantia 
A few h nstorms oe rather persistent strong north 
winds interfere a to some extent with our movements. 
he several visits of Professor de Vries to the aa 
Garden already referred to were ae interesting to 
on account of the original ideas of Mr. Simmonds and ee 
application in connection with plant seer and culture. 
Successive days were devoted to visits to the homes of Mr. John 
oar and Mr. Charles T. Simpson near Little River, of Dr. 
Russell N. Nevins near Miami, and of Dr. John Gifford and Mr. 
Kirk Monroe near Cocoanut Grove. I wish to thank these 
gentlemen for kindly showing Professor de Vries things of interest 
on their respective preserves 
A day was spent in the Geinity of what was at one time Camp 
ion. The contrast caused by the evolution of conditions in 
this homestead country from absolute wilderness to relative 
