ARROW-ROOT.

gentlemen, who have a grant of land from the State, and are authorized to encourage the colonization of the region. The families of the party were with them, and a number of Swedish immigrants were expected. Those already in possession were enterprising and assiduous in their endeavors to bring out the resources of the country. At the house of Captain Hunt, the chief sojourner, we were entertained very kindly and pleasantly. We here found the overland party of the Telegraph Company, who had traveled the whole length of the State through the forests bordering the east shore.

tion of the root. The plant is the Zamia in-
tegrifolia. The root from which the fecula or
starch is obtained grows in the rich soil of the
forests, and resembles in size and shape the
ruta baga turnip. One-half of the root grows
above-ground, and the top is a tuft of fern-like
or, more properly, palm-like leaves, the genus
to which they belong being just removed from
the palms. In its crude state the root is poison-
ous. Our troops, during the war, eager to
avail themselves of so valuable an article of
food, without first obtaining the necessary in-
formation concerning its nature, were frequent-
ly poisoned by it. The starch, of course, pre-
pared properly, is a valuable article, and is used
in this region as flour for bread. The wife of
our host presented us at breakfast with exceed-
ingly nice white bread made of it. To extract
the starch the tubers are first beaten in large
wooden mortars or troughs to a pulp, which is
thrown into tubs of water. The fibrous parts
are then thrown out, the milky liquor, being
passed through a hair
sieve or coarse cloth, is
suffered to settle, and
the water drained off.
A white mass is left,
which is again washed,
and the pure starch is
dried upon sheets in the
sun.

It

A species of agave or aloe is very abundant on the keys and in this region. Many attempts have been made to render it profitable. yields the Sisal hemp of commerce, from which our best cordage is made. Large plantations are seen at Key We were attracted by an unusual display of West, and some mafine books in the office of our host, and found chinery was erected that the selection was valuable and appropriate there and in this vicinto this undertaking, as well as very large; com- ity, for the purpose of prising scientific standard works, and works of crushing the fibre into reference in most departments of knowledge. proper form for the Many scientific instruments and the most ap- market. Like many proved agricultural implements indicated a plan other channels of infor intelligent beginnings that deserves success. dustry here, it remains Single-handed the settler can not expect to suc- for more persevering ceed here, but intelligent co-operative under- efforts or less expenstaking must, to a reasonable extent, be success-ive methods of prepaful, if not highly remunerative. Many attempts have been made to colonize this section of the country, and many avenues to industry and profit have been opened, through the value of the indigenous productions; and it must be through its productions that this part of the State prospers, as the whole Atlantic coast is barred in from the sea.

The arrow-root has proved very profitable, and the farina produced is said to be equal to the best product of Bermuda. It is called coontie here, probably from the Indian designa

ration.

This agave, unlike the A. Americana, which blooms so seldom as to be designated century plant, bears blossoms after the third year. A more impenetrable chevaux - de - frise can hardly be conceived, and it is used extensively as hedges around

SISAL HEMP.

plantations; its long pointed leaves interlock-here, it would seem that when steam transpor

tation has placed this region within the pale of what we may call diurnal commerce, we may have all that Bermuda now furnishes, and, in addition, many of the tropical fruits and productions which we now obtain from Cuba. The example lately shown through the operation of the Pacific Railroad is significant. The great Pacific market is brought within reach, and certain productions are already daily reaching our Eastern homes. At present the crops of North Florida are liable to be cut off by frost, and much loss is occasioned thereby, as

ing each other form a formidable barrier.
The growth of the flower stalk is very rapid,
amounting sometimes to seven inches daily.
When fully grown they attain the height of
fifteen feet, and are eight inches in diameter,
resembling somewhat the bamboo. This cu-
rious candelabra-shaped flower stalk, shooting
out from the centre of the plant, is a striking
and effective object in the picturesque of trop-
ical scenery. The whole plant is interesting;
the flowers are not so attractive as the white
ones of other smaller species, but each flower
is at maturity a young plant, a perfect fac-well as discouragement.
simile of the parent plant, with rootlets al-
ready started and ready to take hold of the
earth as soon as it shall drop. The root being
the heaviest, they are sure to drop right side up.
Thus the plant is propagated, when under other
circumstances it would fail. It occurs to us
that possibly this is a provision of nature to in-
sure the increase of this plant in sterile regions,
where, if fruit with its seed fell on the dry
ground, the chances would be greatly against
its germination. Here the plant is ready form-
ed, its little leaves exact counterparts of those
great spears of the parent plant, and provided
like them with a channel adown their centre,
along which the dew, be it never so little, is
sure to find passage; eventually the dew nour-
ishes the plant and stimulates the roots to put
out earthward.

Across the leaves of the agave were webs of that gorgeously colored spider, epiera, which has been forced to contribute its silken threads in competition with the silk-worm. Like a rich setting of pearls and rubies this spider appears, and his web is a marvel of geometric beauty.

When the fashioning hand of intelligent enterprise shall bring out the capabilities of the soil, then it will be possible to realize a delightful and prosperous condition here. Among other new trials the olive-tree has proved very successful, and it is said that the oil is as good as the best of Lucca. Figs are easily raised, and several fruit-like products that are delicious salads. The castor-oil plant is also very productive.

Though the solid substructure of this region, the main land proper of Florida, is the same as that of the more recent keys and reef, yet the surface has more the aspect of older portions of the country. The soil is deeper, and extensive deposits of oolitic and crystalline calcareous formations in some instances materially increase the elevation. As at Key West and Indian Key, the calcareous rock crops out abundantly, and the detritus which readily accumulates, associated with vegetable matter, forms a rich soil, which only requires the addition of animal manure to be equal to the support of a heavy growth of crops or timber.

That trend of coast which forms the terminal portion is an old range of keys, precisely like those now forming the outer barrier bordering the Gulf Stream. As extensive mud flats now form between these two ranges, so extensive mud flats did similarly form on the northern side of that old range, which is now called the Hunting Grounds; while the flats, now called Everglades, have become overgrown with rank grass and shrubbery.

The pine-apple will probably become a staple production, now that the experiment has proved so successful at Key Largo, where immense crops are now raised. Like the orange, it is far richer in flavor than those brought to the Northern markets. It is surprising to the stranger here to find the Florida oranges so much better in every respect than the foreign fruit. They are larger, perfectly round and smooth, often red inside and out, and of a de- Another range of old keys occurs again, allicious sweet flavor, far surpassing the latter.ternating with what was once mud flats; and So with the pine-apples. And this fact will in- so on this series is continued, quite the length sure for those who cultivate them a profitable of the State. The limes are more abundant than any other fruit, and literally cover the ground, where they return to the baser uses for want of consumers. Limes are much preferred to lemons, having very thin skins and rich juice. The shattuck-Citrus decumana-is another much-prized fruit, and, like the lime, requires quick transportation and early consumption, as they do not long remain intact after ripening.

return.

The banana, plantain, and cocoa-nut furnish as good fruit as is produced farther south; as also do the guavas, sapodilla, pomegranate, mammee, and tamarind.

In view of the fact that the frost never comes

Large bodies of fresh water accumulate and find outlet through the Miami. It is believed that a considerable flow is maintained also through the old reef, as fresh water is observed to bubble up through the salt water of the channel which borders the south shore.

One remarkable point has long been the resort of wreckers and sea-faring men, where they could obtain an unlimited supply of fresh water. A hogshead is sunk in the soft mud over the bubbling outlet, and as the salt water is shallow, the fresh flows in perfect purity and abundance.

This locality has long been known as the

Punch-Bowl, and is so notably valuable and accessible that passing vessels not unfrequently haul up there to refill their exhausted beakers. Coast-wise shipping hug the shore here to avoid the Gulf Stream, as the four-knot current is a serious obstacle, especially to sailing craft. Northward-bound vessels take the centre of the stream, and consequently receive the benefit of the current.

of nature's grandest exhibition to have these carnivals of splendid vegetation occurring in isolated places, where it is but seldom they are seen by the appreciative eye of cultivated and intellectual observers."

brave ones. Nature here is profuse to an extent marvelous indeed. Grand towering trunks, loaded with strange parasitic plants, and vines of enormous dimensions, like huge serpents, coiling around them. The singular forms of air-plants, vying in color with the birds and insects that alight upon their blossoms-an enchanting, wondrous scene.

During the war with the Indians our troops under Taylor and Scott and Jessup, and a host of lieutenants who are now, many of them, prominent in the different arms of our service, were This terminal strip of land, which we have no- familiar with the Florida Everglades; but sufticed as one of the old lines of keys, is designa-fering and death came to be the lot of many ted the Hunting Grounds, and has long been the favorite resort of the Seminoles. The small remnant, less than a hundred, still remains here. Not until lately have they made any effort to support themselves, otherwise than by hunting and fishing. The chief, a son of Billy Bowlegs, and two other braves, visited Key West lately to make arrangements for commercial intercourse, attracting great attention there not only for their extremely elaborate toilets, but for their unusual business-like demeanor. Since the death of Cocheco, a notoriously ugly chief, who was hung by General Harney, the tribe has remained peacefully within its reservation.

With the same prodigal variety and numbers that characterize the outer keys, many others are here added. The deer and black bear roam within the forest. The panther makes his lair in the long grass, and climbs the extended limbs of the live-oak to spring upon his prey. The cypress is draped and festooned with the gray moss. On its topmost branch sits the bald eagle, with watchful eye, mayhap, upon the in

Of the Everglades a late writer says: "There is a great deal of truthfulness and poetry in the name that has been given to the beautiful open-dustrious ospray; while he, unconscious of his ings which occur in the swampy scenery of the peninsula of Florida. Formed in a low, yet not absolutely level country, these magnificent examples of semi-tropical richness strike the beholder with surprise; and it seems a waste

foe, bears the finny prey toward his rude eyrie. The sweet tones of mocking-birds and the numerous warblers charm the ear; and the gor geous colors of the wood-duck, the ibis, and the gallinule, with hosts of other varied tints

upon plumage and foliage, fill the eye with al hundred small sardines are found sometimes wondrous delight. in the great pouch which hangs beneath the bill.

We leave this region of beauties with reluctance; but, entre nous, dropping gently from the sublime to a sober truth, it must be recorded here that mosquitoes do seem to thrive in direct ratio as these beauties increase.

The water being perfectly smooth, the white muddy bottom, when undisturbed, as we passed over presented many beautiful objects to our view. A large species of sea-anemone was very abundant, and varied greatly in color. The beautiful flesh tints, and occasional touches of purple and lake, heighten the pleasing effect.

The gorgonias, including the sea-fans and several shrubby kinds, are abundantly spread over these flats, and it is easy to see their agency in holding whatever extraneous matter comes near them, and thereby helping on the work of building up the soil to the level of the sea-up to and even above that point that the mangrove requires to gain foothold and continue the work with its entangled buttressed roots.

One solitary plantation is seen upon the borders of the Hunting Grounds. The proprietor was raising sugar-cane in addition to his usual crops. It is here cut into short pieces and planted out in rows. They continue to grow and give out shoots yearly, only requiring to be occasionally renewed. Like many plants in this region, they become perennial. The tomato gets to be a stout bush, with hard, woody stalk, bearing continually.

Leaving the Miami, we ran down along the southern shore. The water covering the flats is barely sufficient in some places to float the boat. A part of this water is distinguished by the name of Card's Sound. Myriads of gulls and wading birds are seen on all sides, the latter standing in the shoals feeding, or quietly waiting the return of hunger. We were reminded of the amusing observations of Audubon respecting the pelicans as we came up to a long line of them sitting upon a shoal belt of sand. He says: "Ranged along the margins of a sand-bar, in broken array, stand a hundred heavy-bodied pelicans pluming themselves. The gorged pelicans patiently wait the return of hunger. Should one chance to gape, all, as if by sympathy, in succession open their long and broad mandibles, yawning lazily and ludicrously." The white pelican, according to Audubon, has a habit in fishing quite different from that of the brown pelican that is so common here. The latter dives upon a shoal of fishes, but does not go under water; he scoops them with his open bill, and remains on the water until he has adjusted the fish within his pouch. He is not very expert, and usually depends upon hunting the smaller kinds, that so congregate upon the surface of the water that they can not easily escape. He often misses his aim, and, considering his voracious appetite, nearly all his waking hours must be occupied in feeding himself and family. The white pelican has been noticed to swim against the wind and current with open bill, wings partly extended, scooping the small fishes and stowing them away in the ample pouch. They would then rise and fly back, to commence The royal palms of Cape Sable have an exagain and repeatedly the same process. Sever-tended reputation, but few ever get to see them,

At Cape Sable more thorough and successful experiments have been made in agriculture. Parties in Key West own large tracts, and considerable income is derived from the products of the plantations.

To the Northerner the scene here is charming beyond description. At the close of the day, when the clear western sky is toned delicately from the azure zenith through the rich blush of amethyst and berylline to the goldenrayed horizon, a sumptuous back-ground is presented for the noble plumes of the royal palms, and the elegant flowing tops of the papaw and the date.

as this region is wholly out of the world of travel, | minutely denticulated portion of the valves. though the entering wedge may be said to have been driven with the electric wire. This is already one of the great highways of thought; and one day the great palms may shade the weary traveler, and give, in his own country, that measure of delight which so long has met the visitor in the neighboring isle of Cuba.

He also asserts that the teredo has an enemy in the worm called Sycoris fucata. The teredo has a well-marked rasp upon the anterior end of the valves, which is characteristic of the family; and it would seem possible that in most cases the result is through voluntary action of these teeth. Systematically this is a bivalve mollusk, of the class Conchifera, and family of Pholads; generic title, Teredo; specific name, Navalis-Teredo navalis—a sea-borer. It is therefore not a worm, but a shell-fish of the clam kind.

So valuable an article for building purposes as the palmetto proves to be is of course in great demand, and those who own the land which produces it set a high value thereon. The terminal bud, resembling somewhat a cabbage, is edible, and many trees are killed by removing it, as they will not survive the loss.

The cabbage palm or palmetto-Sabel palmetto-is here very abundant. It is a notable and striking example of Providential care for man's well-being that on this wide-spread sea-board of the tropical shores, where the construction of marine works requires material to oppose the relentless, irresistible encroachments of the teredo, the palmetto alone is invulnerable. Straight, smooth, and tough, it possesses all the requisites for its use, and grows in profusion near those regions where the ship-worm is most destructive. Other wood, either hard or soft, after one year's immersion, becomes so occu- On the gray mossy branches of the large trees pied by the brittle shells of the destroyer as to bright scarlet sprays of the air-plant seemed be dangerous; and in two years nearly the almost ablaze with the splendor of color. Fullwhole interior structure is replaced by them. blown flowers of a species of tillandsia they were, Minute punctures on the surface of the pier in- of the same genus as the long moss, though so dicate the presence of the young shell-fish that curiously different in general appearance. In have just been hatched from the spawn deposit- popular descriptions of natural objects, intended ed there. Gradually the creatures progress, merely as conveying a general notion of what growing larger as they go toward the centre of the object is, its relations to nature generally, the log or along the grain, wearing a smooth, and its aspect as a thing of beauty or worth, to devious channel, which they line with a white, the end that we may have a comprehensive brittle shell. The whole interior of the log may knowledge free from mere technicality, it seems be occupied by these shells, and yet the exterior more direct to the purpose to omit the term remain intact, unless the structure is broken genus, and use the expression family. The systhrough, which requires very little force. It tems in use, as methods of properly studying has long been a puzzle to account for the work and placing objects of nature, are of course indone by some species of these mollusks. Some dispensable; but there is a large class of readbore into limestone, and others into flint. The ers who, it seems, would read with more zest theory of acid secretion from the mouths may and profit if the aspects, nature, relations, and hold good with the limestone, but it seems unac- intrinsic value of natural productions were excountable how the harder stones are perforated. hibited with a light untangled woof holding the A commission of Dutch naturalists has late- thread of narration. We are constantly meetly reported on the subject, and M. Kater af-ing in our rambles upon the sea-side and the firms that he has seen the teredo in the act of wood-side with singular objects, which we are boring in wood by a rasping motion of the told by our systematic mentor, much to our