54 
over it, The vegetation is decidedly stunted, the pines and the 
hardwood trees, although apparently of the same age as similar 
trees on the aed oo portion of the reef, attain mostly 
less than one half thei 
A large percentage of pe area of the islands is so anomalous 
that the only way to describe the condition is to say that the 
surface consists chiefly of holes. The rock is honeycombed, 
the cavities commonly with a dignietes of one to eight feet and 
with a similar depth, the pre aver less than a foot thick 
and sometimes so much ero that they will not bear one’s 
weight. Progress over such areas is oy slow, for unless 
one picks his way with extreme care a fall would surely result 
which would mean a number of punctures and broken bones, if 
not more serious results, 
In spite of general appearances the Everglade Keys are almost 
ideal for camping. Good firewood is plentiful and delicious cool 
water is always within easy reach. Besides a small tent to pro- 
tect the food and specimens at the supply-camp, no shelter is 
essential. In the field at sundown it is only necessary to gather 
together enough firewood for the night, to start a fire and cut a 
few palm-leaves for a bed, and the camp is complete. In case 
of rain a piece of oilcloth or a small india-rubber poncho is suf- 
ficient protection, for the honey-combed rock has drainage like 
a sieve. Notwithstanding the decidedly cool nights, with a good 
camp-fire one may sleep with impunity in either wet or dry cloth- 
ing. The total absence of dust and other irritating things from 
the atmosphere is noticeable both in the delightful effect of 
the air on the organs of respiration and the surprising apparent 
nearness of the stars on cloudless nights. Nearly all existing 
conditions redeem the monotony of the long nights, during 
which one is confined to the area within a few feet of the 
fire, both on account of the dangerous honeycombed rock and 
the presence of venomous snakes. ree kinds of the latter 
are to be expected at any moment; the water-moccasin in wet 
places, the ground-rattlesnake in dap or moderately dry places 
and the diamond-rattlesnake on the dry rocks. Thus surrounded, 
one has a great desire to stay near the camp-fire at night. 
