40 



THE FERN BULLETIN 



thery with scapes of variegated flowers 6 feet high, by 

 far the noblest orchid in Florida and one of the finest in 

 the West Indies. Eaton found another epiphytal or- 

 chid, genus and species unknown, and we again went 

 crazy. When we at last went back after killing a big 

 rattlesnake that Soar stepped over, we could not find 

 the tree where we left our things, so thick was the for- 

 est, and we were delayed a couple of hours before we 

 found them. We then concluded to go back to Camp 

 Jackson, as we had a big load, each man having from 

 50 to 60 pounds, the great Oncidium being quite heavy. 

 After passing the channel, Soar was taken very ill. 

 Eaton generously took part of his load, but Soar still 

 lagged behind. Eaton then pushed ahead and left his 

 load on some low shrubs, and returned for Soar's load. 

 We then tried to reach a low key in the glade, and 

 camp, as it was nearly dark and Camp Jackson a long 

 way off. Eaton pushed ahead, I followed, and poor 

 Soar staggered along in the rear. From where Eaton 

 hung up his baggage, to the Keys, the bottom was 

 rocky, full of pot holes and the sharp points covered 

 with a thin deposit of slippery mud. Here and there 

 was water. The saw grass was thick enough to con- 

 ceal the pitfalls and in going this distance I fell seven 

 times at full length. In the darkness I lost my sack 

 of orchids and baggage. When I reached the ham- 

 mock, I called for Eaton but got no reply. Fortun- 

 ately I stumbled on his stuff, and at once set to work 

 at building a fire. My matches were damp, although in 

 an upper pocket, and the paper containing them was 

 wet. After striking nearly all of them, I got a light 

 although the leaves and twigs were damp. Eaton 

 came with a dry piece of pine and we soon had a fire. 

 We called to Soar, and finally got a reply. When he 



