


398 RAMBLES IN FLORIDA. 
Tampa Bay is divided at its upper portion, or head, into 
two ‘smaller bays, one known as Old Tampa Bay, from the 
town of “Old Tampa,” the other as Hillsborough Bay,* 
which receives a river of the same name. It is upon the 
southerly bank of the latter that the new or present town 
of Tampa is located. A very narrow and crooked channel 
and an insufficient depth of water prevent vessels, excepting 
very small craft, from reaching the wharves, consequently 
the steamer was anchored some four miles below the place. 
Viewed from the deck the scenery is attractive, though the 
shores, as elsewhere, are quite low. As you face the town 
upon the left hand, and half a mile off, is Ballast Point, an 
ancient reef; upon the right are islands and the mainland 
in the distance; in front the military post of Fort Brooke. 
with its new buildings half-hidden by the sturdy old oaks 
(Quercus virens), whose stalwart limbs are decked with 
robes of the long Spanish moss, which hang motionless in 
the quiet air, or flutter like tattered battle-flags when moved 
by a passing breeze. "The post is built upon a sloping lawn 
whose margin is washed by the waters of the bay; in front 
of the trees is the parade ground, in the centre stands à 
symmetrical flag-staff, from the top of which, far aloft, floats 
the national flag. | 
here is some little commotion in getting ashore; for 
everybody and everything have to be transferred to lighters 
and small vessels; at the time a transient shower was pass- 
ing and the warm rain caused an unpleasant stickiness. It 
was soon over however, and we saw our packages placed 

* There is a county of this name, of which the city or town of Tampa is the county 
tA very interesting spot to the geologist. Here we collected over hundred §: 
MC Me el ahaa a age d E EQUI m. M QU toc d nans of Chalco 


{The military reservation at Tampa is situated upon and embraces the E 
r the pleasantest on of the place. Many of the older officers ef jus 
v ME ioned here, as it was an important base dud 
du wars with the Seminoles. It is reported of Gen. Taylor that he was so much attac sis 
_ to the locality, that wher resident, the Secretary of War propo? 
Post, the old soldier positively forbade it. 


