IN THE PRIMEVAL FOREST 211 



Cape Florida did not exist, and the Upper Keys 

 were only a low, coral reef; at any rate it was the 

 shore line open to the sea over which seeds of 

 tropical trees and plants were drifted to it. I 

 have no doubt this is the oldest hammock in the 

 lower part of the State, and long before the white 

 man began his work of destruction it contained 

 over a hundred species of trees and large shrubs. 

 Here were, at least, two species of fine tropical 

 trees which have never been found elsewhere 

 within the limits of the United States, one "a mem- 

 ber of the laurel family {Misantica triandra) and 

 one of the soap berries {Talesia pedicillaris). 



Long ago a part of the hammock in the vicinity 

 of the "Punch Bowl" (a curious depression in the 

 rock near the shore) was cleeired, planted, and after- 

 wards abandoned. This cleared portion grew up 

 with second growth which attained considerable 

 size. Only a part of the original forest still stands 

 and it is probable that most of that will soon be 

 destroyed. Let us enter it now before it is too 

 late to observe, study, and wonder ; to be filled with 

 reverence at sight of so magnificent a growth; for 

 like an old Greek or Roman temple it is stately 

 and beautiful, even as a ruin. 



