168 IN LOWER FLORIDA WILDS 



ragged limbs, decidedly striking and picturesque, 

 but not at all beautiful. These dead pines are the 

 favorite resorts for mocking birds, from which lofty 

 perches they pour forth their clear, strong music. 



It might indeed seem that there could be neither 

 interest nor beauty in so desolate a region, but to 

 him who has eyes and ears trained to see and hear 

 and whose senses are responsive to Nature's less 

 clamorous appeals the pine forest teaches some 

 fascinating lessons. Here, since the land was 

 elevated above the ocean, a constant battle has 

 raged for place and for the chance to live and 

 reproduce. 



It is probable that shortly after the first eleva- 

 tion of our area in Pleistocene time the seeds of 

 our common pine (Pinus caribcea) were deposited 

 on the higher land and the forest established. The 

 seeds are winged and are carried to considerable 

 distances by strong winds. It is commonly sup- 

 posed that ours is the same as the Georgia pine, 

 but though closely related and resembling it, it is 

 really different. This tree is the Caribbean or 

 slash pine. It inhabits the Bahamas, several of 

 the West India islands, Central America, and, in 

 the United States, the southern end of Florida and 



