THE ORIGIN OF THE HAMMOCKS 209 



and gone forward as a pioneer to establish the 

 forest should at last be dispossessed by other trees 

 whose very existence it has made possible. 



The finished hammock forest consists almost 

 entirely of tall, straight, closely set trees of 

 tropical origin. They stand erect as soldiers on 

 parade; their dense, leafy tops shut out nearly 

 all the rays of the sun. For this reason but few 

 epiphytes grow. This part of the forest is grand 

 and gloomy; but it is not so picturesque or lively 

 as is the younger stage. 



These are "The Hammocks, Florida's one 

 unique, priceless heritage," as Prof. W. H. Henry 

 has beautifully expressed it. They should be 

 cherished for their beauty and for the rare 

 vegetation they contain. Once destroyed they 

 can never be replaced quite as nature has made 

 them, and Florida would be despoiled for all time 

 of one of her most important attractions. 

 14 



