RAMBLES IN FLORIDA. 287 




















sometimes weighs two and a quarter pounds. Odd valves 
of the Ark shells are found in the shellheaps, but are not 
common. 
A mile and a half from where the road enters the beach 
are the remains of two wrecks; the planking of the decks 
and sides has long ago been broken up and swept away by 
the sea, and the timbers projecting from the sands resemble 
the ribs of some gigantic mammal. No vestige of name is 
left; their wooden skeletons tell of fierce storms, when wind 
and waves, acting in unison, hurled ships and shells, and 
sea-weeds, like weightless bubbles, upon the beach. A 
Wreck is a sad sight, but the crevices of an old hulk are a 
fine field for the naturalist, for many forms of marine life 
have a home therein. Here we found a tiny species of Mus- 
sel ( Mytilus cubitus), and a new species of Siphonaria, a 
univalve shell shaped like a small shield, with elevated lines 
or ribs radiating from centre to circumference. 
Without farther enumerating or explaining the prizes that 
are ours through the bounty of old ocean, we must retrace 
our steps towards the road, for the sun has so nearly set 
that its level rays are shining in our eyes. With baskets 
and pockets packed and full we jog along, stopping occa- 
sionally to pick up a fine specimen of a white bivalve shell, - 
Dosinia discus, which is very abundant, thanks to a storm 
which threw them high and dry above the reach of ordinary 
tides. The Fish-crows (Corvus ossifragus) and a large spe- 
cies of Blackbird ( Quiscalus baritus) are running over the 
Wet sands, stooping sometimes to pick up some tit-bit for 
| their suppers. Bidding them good-bye, we hurry on, and 
after a weary walk of what seemed many miles, made longer 
by the toilsome tug through sand and chapparal, we reach 
. 9Ur haven; tired as dogs (at times are said to be) we gladly 
. east aside our packs, and after a refreshing wash, rush to- 
_ Supper. with appetités as keen as hungry wolves! : 
| The evenings here are chilly, and a fire of the Pitch-pine 
Wood (Pinus palustris Linn.) is pleasant, aside from the 



