58 
FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY—THIRD ANNUAL REPORT. 
The soil in the basin is prevailingly a gray sand usually darkened 
by the presence of organic matter. At a depth of from one to two 
feet the amount of organic matter is reduced, the sand being lighter 
in color. Sandy clays are reached as a rule at a depth of from 
two and a half to three feet. 
During a season of normal rainfall this basin is occupied by 
a lake having a total area of approximately two thousand acres. 
Following a period of prolonged drought the basin becomes entire¬ 
ly dry, water remaining only at the sink. In times of excessive 
rainfall the lake overflows at the east end, the water discharged 
reaching streams tributary to the St. Marks River. 
Fig. 3.—Lake Lafayette. 
This basin has much the character of an elongated valley. The 
general course of the streams of this part of the county, the shape 
of the basin and particularly the topography of the surrounding 
country indicate that the drainage of this section was originally 
through these streams into the St. Marks River. The formation of 
sinks diverted the drainage to a subterranean course, the west end 
of the basin having been reduced to a level somewhat lower than the 
east end. The further enlargement of the basin is being carried 
on through the formation of sinks along the border. The largest 
of the newly formed sinks is found near the present drainage sink. 
LAKE MICCOSUKEE 
Miccosukee Basin or Lake Miccosukee lies between Leon and 
Jefferson Counties, the west border of the lake forming the county 
line. A small arm of the lake, however, near the north end reaches- 
into Leon County. 
