
852 RAMBLES IN FLORIDA. 
is confirmed by the outcroppings of the old reefs, that, pro- 
jecting from the ground, are visible at various points by the 
side of the road. In addition to the accumulation of sands 
portions of the state have undoubtedly been, and perhaps 
are still being gradually elevated. 
Agassiz estimates that not "less than seventy thousand 
years have elapsed since the coral reefs already known to 
exist in Florida began to grow."* What the area of the 
state may be seven hundred centuries hence we can only 
conjecture. The same agencies are still in active operation. 
It will, probably, extend much farther in a southerly direc- 
tion, and the southern part of the state will be greatly 
widened toward the west. Those insignificant (so far as 
size is considered) but persistent workers, the reef-build- 
ing masons, the Astræans, the Meandrinas and the Porites, 
are coóperative workers at the present time as during the 
centuries that have passed.f Deep in the sea the founda- 
tions of future reefs are being laid, upon which the more 
ornamental coral-workers, the Mdecaors, will attach their 
snow-white shrubbery, fringing the surfaces and edges with 
beautiful forms, an elaborate and graceful finish to other- 
wise substantial structures. ł 
The few tree Palmettos or Cabbage-palms (Chamerops 
palmetto) that we have already met, indicate that we are 
approaching the Gulf; as we move along the number in- 
creases, and numerous fine specimens are seen. 

had been led to infer from anything we hadread on the subject. We could find no 
evidence that the reef-builders at the present time, upon either coast of Florida, are 
Working upon e d this Ange wing to a decreased tempe 
f the water, or to a oos binas. of these 

Methods of Study in Natural History. p. 189. 
is tha Bod Sea. and 

Wie view de nt iom or wena Ge, je, were aliv Ci qu dec d 
Pharaohs, and have been growing and enlarging ever since." (Grindon.) 


į“ The re (Ce h admired for its brilliant 
color, and the high polish of which it i ge 
: other PO ses rosie ii profitable trade in the Mediterranean whee Ii 

oS d 
to: ai nb: ers 3 of people p (Baird Ps Dicti J f Ni 1H 7P- . 35.) 




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