J. LeConte on the Silver-Spring in Florida. 3 
but there are several tributary springs of similar character along — 
> course of the es which contribute more less to the vol- 
me of water. These usually occur in deep basins, or coves (as * 
amhey are called), in recesses along the margin of ream. 
~ ‘The depth of one of these coves situated pene ; 200 yards below 
the head-spring, was found to be 82 feet in the crevice in the 
poameor f — from which the water boiled: in other deep 
é basin, the depth was about 24 feet. The “ Bone~ 
parts 
» yard, ” ni "called from the fact that several specimens of the 
; th 
| limestone, indicate the risa 2 currents of water by the ] 
~ milk-like | appearance produced by the agitation of their contents, 
o bury itself in 
bones of the Mastodon have been taken from it,) situated two 
miles below the head-spring, is a cove or basin of a similar char- 
acter. Its maximum depth was found to be 26 feet. a 
The most remarkable and interesting phenomenon presented > 
by this spring, is the truly extraordinary transparency of the 
water; in this respect surpassing anything which can be imag- 
ined, ll of the intrinsic beauties which invest it, as well as 
the wonderful optical properties which popular re orts have as- 
scribed to its waters, are directly or indirectly referable to their 
almost perfect diaphaniety. Ona clear and calm day, after the 
sun has attained sufficient altitude, the view from the side of a 
small boat floating on the surface of the water near the centre 
of the head-spring, is beautiful beyond description, and well 
calculated to produce a a powerful impression upon the imagina- 
tion. Every feature and configuration of the bottom of this gi- 
gantic basin is as distinctly visible as if the water was remov ved, 
and the atmosphere substituted in its place ! we 
A large Been of the bottom of this pool is covered with a 
luxuriant growth of species of water-grass, and gigantic moss- 
like plants (fresh. water Algze), which attaix a height of 3 or 4 
feet. The latter are found in the deepest parts ‘of the basin. 
Without doubt, the development of so vigorous a vegetation at 
such depths, is owing to the large amount of solar light which 
these points my = -bob was observed to 
the mass of boilin 
ttom of this rem: p 
nothing obstructed the light. The shadows. 
of our over mange heads and hats, of projecti 
of the s forest, of the a 
