8 



THE CAPE SABLE REGION OF FLORIDA 



touched there over a quarter of a century ago. Thus, 

 the geographical ranges of some of our rarer native 

 plants could.be thoroughly worked out. There was good 

 prospect of recording the presence of plants not found 

 elsewhere and it was almost certain that new light would 

 be thrown on the relation between the flora of southern 

 Florida and that of the West Indies. 



It was with high hopes of a profitable adventure, there- 

 fore, that the writer set out for this region early in the 

 spring of 1916. In passing, it may be mentioned that his 

 hopes were largely realized. 



The objects of the expedition were four, namely, stud- 

 ies in the distribution of plants, studies in the distribu- 

 tion of tree snails, the securing of a cargo of living palms 

 and orchids, and photography. The party comprised C. 

 T. Simpson, John Soar^ Victor Soar, Paul Matthaus, and 

 the writer. 



The early morning of March 28, therefore, found the 

 writer on board the " Barbee " as she lay off Buena Vista 

 in Bay Biscayne. All supplies were aboard and every- 

 thing was ready. 



The "Barbee" was a motor- boat of light draught 

 about thirty-two feet long, and twelve feet abeam, and 

 was thus especially suited to navigating those waters. 

 She had been generously furnished for the cruise by Mr. 

 Charles Deering, and it should be mentioned that it was 

 Mr. Deering's deep interest in the expedition that was 

 the foundation of its success. 



interests of the United States National Herbarium. He was at 

 Cape Sable in the spring of 1891. He died at Bradentown, 

 September 20, 1918. — J. H. B. 



