3G4 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



They seemed to be affected very much as I have seen them when "fish 

 berries" were thrown into a pond — coming to the surface, swimming 

 around in circles, sometimes on the side or back, the movements growing 

 weaker rapidly and ceasing altogether in 20 or 30 minutes. I noticed 

 one fact which mayor may not be of importance: I took a small fish, 

 known here as a cow-fish, from the water when just about dead, and, 

 having examined it for a minute or two, cast it back, when, to my sur- 

 prise, it swam oft' briskly, going down at once. 



As in the previous instance, the shores at Fort Jefferson and neigh- 

 boring keys were covered with fish, and here, at Key West, the north 

 side of the island was in similar condition. From correspondence and 

 conversation I have gathered, in addition to the above, the following- 

 facts, some, and possibly all, of which may be of interest. 



A fishing-smack sailed some 70 or 80 miles to the westward from Fort 

 Jefferson without getting clear of the water. Another smack found the 

 surface of the water out some lo miles in the Gulf Stream covered with 

 dead fish — large sharks, turtles, king-fish, &c, but no porpoises, and, as 

 far as I have heard, no dead porpoises have been seen. An officer 

 coming over from New Orleans by steamer was more than 12 hours 

 passing through a fiek\ of dead fish. Oysters in Tampa Bay were killed 

 by the water. In October the Oaloosahatehee River overflowed its banks 

 along its entire length except at a bluff at Fort Meyers, and the whole 

 country iu that section was under water, reported to be the result of the 

 overflow of Lake Okeechobee. A gentleman who knows that part of 

 the State well tells me that the swampy land bordering on Okeecho- 

 hee is grown up largely with dogwood; the water in the lake gradually 

 rising and spreading over the surrounding marshes or swamps probably 

 kept these dogwood trees wholly or partly submerged for weeks, until 

 the divide between Okeechobee and the headwaters of Caloosahatchee 

 Biver gave way. In the possible poisonous effect of water impregnated 

 with dogwood, &c, a theory of the cause of the loss of fish-life may be 

 found. I understand from Dr. Joseph Y. Porter, U. S. A., that he for- 

 warded to your address a bottle of water. I am in hopes that an analysis 

 of it will enable you to settle the question; if so, I would be indebted 

 greatly to you if you would inform me. 



In regard to my former letter, you can make any use of it you desire, 

 as well also as this. I am happy to know that you consider the subject 

 of some importance. I feared that I might be imposing upon your valu- 

 able time. 



If there are any of the small fish of this vicinity which you desire 1 

 will be glad to do what I can towards obtaining them, either preserved 

 in spirits or the skins. Please give me common names, if possible; for I 

 have no books and no technical knowledge. 



I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



J. P. JEFFERSON, 

 Lieutenant Fifth Regiment Artillery. 



December, 1878. 



