d 
NEM E E 
466 RAMBLES IN FLORIDA. | 
tain, they have no ear for music. A young living speci- 
men, two feet long from snout to tip of tail, upon which we i 
expended sundry vocal performances of a high order, mani- 
fested not the slightest appreciation, and we were never 
encored. Chagrined at the apathy of the audience we de- 
liberately insulted it by reciting aloud, and in the most sar- 
castie manuer, the following verse : 












* How cheerfully he seems to grin, 
How neatly spreads his claws, 
And welcomes little fishes in, 
i With gently smiling jaws.” 
But the voracious beasts not only “welcome little fishes in,” 
but frequently attack dogs and pigs, and instances are known 
of their attacking children and men. 
We remained within two or three miles of the mound 
anchorage for several days collecting along the shore, or in 
the lagoons and marshes. Provided with well greased long 
boots we waded for miles, and at low tide could have crossed 
from the main land to the opposite keys, 8o shallow is the 
water, had not a narrow but not deep channel prevented. 
Sometimes at night we slept by our camp fires ashore, or, 
according to the caprice of the moment, on board o the 
schooner, during the twilight spinning yarns or relating ad- 
ventures in other places, or listening to the serenade of the 
drum-fishes swimming alongside, until sleep, "the giver of : 
Sweet visions, came." 
From Point Pinallesit is but a short sail to Long Key. 
Upon the easterly side of the latter we found many spec 
mens of Fasciolaria tulipa and F. distans, but much hand- 
somer shells of these species may be obtained upon the 
outer shore of the key; those from the inside are covered 
With a confervoid growth that is somewhat difficult to re- 
move, and when clean the shells retain a green stain. e 
southerly end of this island is the best collecting ground ; 
~ the beautiful Winged Conch (Strombus alatus Gmel.), he — 
. great Cockle (Cardium magnum Bom.), the heart-shaped — 
. Cockle (Cardi ium isocardia Linn.), a curious thorny Qype 





