CHAPTER XXXII. 



Second Florida Episode: The Live Oakbbs. 



" The greater part of the forests of East Florida principally 

 consists of what in that country are called 'pine barrens.' 

 In these districts the woods are rather thin, and the only trees 

 that are seen in them are tall pines, of rather indifferent quality, 

 beneath which is a growth of rank grass, here and there mixed 

 with low bushes and sword palmettoes. The soil is of a sandy 

 nature, mostly flat, and consequently either covered with water 

 during the rainy season, or parched in the summer and autumn, 

 although you meet at times with ponds of stagnant water, where 

 the cattle — which are abundant — allay their thirst, and around 

 which resort the various kinds of game found in these wilds. 

 The traveller who has pursued his course for many miles over 

 the barrens, is suddenly delighted to see in the distance the 

 appearance of a dark ' hummock ' of live oaks and other trees, 

 seeming as if they had been planted in the wilderness. As he 

 approaches, the air feels cooler and more salubrious, the song 

 of numerous birds delights his ear, the herbage assumes a more 

 luxuriant appearance, the flowers become larger and brighter, 

 and a grateful fragrance is difiused around. These objects 

 .contribute to refresh his mind, as much as the sight of the 

 waters of some clear spring, gliding among the undergrowth, 

 seems already to allay his thirst. Overhead festoons of innu- 

 merable vines, jessamines, and bignonias, link each tree with 

 those around it, their slender stems being interlaced as if in 



