heads of brain coral, each
two feet in diameter, are
among them.

One species of astræa, unlike most of the corals that have a circumscribed growth, spreads out ledgelike, and knows no boundary, no definite form. This 2 particular species seems to be the principal element in reef-building; its individual polyp is small, but the congregation is vast, and tier after tier rises until the surface is reached, when acres, miles of this one variety lie dead and decaying, and furnishing a strong foothold for another element of land-making, not less sure and irresistible.

off others, which bend over and form knees, and in this way multiply to an indefinite extent.

These knees and the long, pendent suckers are curiously uniform in size, being only about two-thirds of an inch in diameter, smooth, brown, and pliable as a gutta-percha tube, holding the same uniform cylindrical shape throughout the entire length, and quite resemble the branches of the banyan.

Key Vaccas and Knight's Key lie parallel to each other. Here the water was so shallow that we were forced to leave our boats and push through the mud to deeper water.

These keys near the water-line, and for some rods inland, were nearly bare. The ledge of astræan coral was black and jagged, looking like rotten ice. Here and there were heads of brain coral embedded, some of them three feet in diameter. Upon this ledge stood several varieties of trees of large size, holding to the bare rock and sending rootlets into the numerous cracks and inequalities where the scanty soil was collected.

Along the entire border, and for some distance inland, were fragments of wrecks, carried there by some unusual high tide.

After a short sail we reached Boot Key. Here were groups of mangroves of great beauty. Osprays were disturbed in their fishing; and on the rocks, just below high-water mark, were great numbers of that peculiar armor-like multivalve shell, the chiton-the largest species. Here, too, were great numbers of the beautiful bleeding-tooth nerita. On no other of the numerous keys were these shells found.

The mangrove now performs its part. A long, cigar-shaped fruit is formed, the seed of which germinates within the small inconspicuous flower before it drops, and presents the strange spectacle of a young tree, already rooted and ready to put forth its leaves as soon as it drops and finds foothold. These young trees are much like the young magnolia; designed to live and thrive in the salt soil, they float over the shallow water, and take root wherever they touch the bottom. The rootlets then make fast to the reef mud, throw out side shoots like so many flying buttresses, and put forth from the top or smaller end a tuft of Next day we visited Plantation Key. rich glossy green leaves. The trunk does not is a large island, several miles in length, and reach below the spreading roots, but is sup- has a good beach. The mangroves are here ported by them above the water. Here is a net-replaced by larger trees, and a variety of shrubs work of rootlets wherein the débris of the ocean is entangled, and within which dead leaves and fragments of shells collect to form the meagre soil. Miles of reef become planted in this

way.

One very important element in the soil is the mineral frame-work of a species of alga or seaweed. A handful of soil taken up from the beaches, or upon the keys more inland, will be found to consist largely of fragments of this singular alga. Its vegetable portion is a mere film of green, covering a series of bead-like joints the latter composed of lime.

Another and very effective method the mangrove has of extending its boundaries, and thereby also contributing more help toward land-making. Some of the fruit, instead of dropping and taking root as independent trees, grow downward until they reach the water, still remaining attached to the parent, root in the mud, throw out leaves, and assume the part of offshoots. Even these offshoots throw

One of the most gorgeously colored actinias, or sea anemones, as large as a coffee-cup, here spread its beauties in a little pool left by the receding tide, and a variety of the more common kinds was frequently seen.

This

and small trees is supported by the deeper soil which has accumulated. A strong growth of coarse grass and many flowering plants thrive well.

In the soft, wet sand of the beach, among the numerous tracks of beach birds and gulls, were some which we conjectured were made by a large feline; and as no other of that family could be expected here, we anticipated the jaguar, or American panther. After tracing his steps for a mile or more, we came to a hut temporarily occupied by wreckers. The occupants were thoroughly frightened. They had not seen the animal, but had heard him prowling around their premises; and two young dogs were missing. Later in the day we had crossed a channel to Metacomba Key, where the same kind of tracks was visible. On reaching a hut where two men lived we heard doleful stories of fright and damage. Their dog had been taken and left maimed and half dead in the bushes; and a hog that reposed in quiet slumber against

the side of his pen had lost an ear, the panther | inspected, and the party arranged to watch in having bitten the appendage completely off, and taken it with him.

the hut, placing a board across the door, behind which Pableau, our cook, was stationed as a look-out. A fearful attack from the mosquitoes rendered this style of hunting far from agreeable, notwithstanding the fire was kept burning briskly before the door, ostensibly to draw them away from the house. True to his instincts, "Painter" put in an appearance about midnight.

"Golly! folks; look at them eyes!" says Pableau; and bang went his rifle, out of all proper time, and against orders.

It was just before dark when we came up, tired with the day's tramping. Our party sat upon the beach, and listened to the tale. The surroundings and features of the scene were exceedingly sombre and striking. As is common near tropical homes, however humble, the cocoa palm was here conspicuous, rearing its grand plumes above the dark back-ground, and relieved against the starlit sky in all the beauty of its flowing leaflets. The dense undergrowth, cavern-like now where the clearing held the rude habitation, reflected fitfully the lurid blaze of the camp fire. The broad, glossy foliage of the banana sparkled with the play of light, the fire-flies here and there broke the broad patches of darkness, and the figures of the two wreckers, whose scared faces were lighted by the glare, all made a picture impressive and grand in artistic elements. Our party were now thoroughly aroused to the fact of a first-class hunt awaiting them, and the most feasible method was promptly pronounced to be that of stalking; an inglorious but safe one, as even the mosquitoes would prove formidable in the jungle. The Several instances of attacks upon children panther would unquestionably return at night, have occurred in Florida, and one very recentas he had only moistened his teeth in the fleshly in Upper Florida. A child was seized, and of the poor dog that was curled up before the fire, trembling with fright and pain from his lacerated limbs, and had only a taste from the ear of the hog.

Fowling-pieces and rifles were thoroughly

The creature leaped over the bushes, and crossed in full view of the blazing fire, just in time to receive a broadside from the reserve; who presented a comical appearance, crowding the doorway, and aiming over the prostrate form of Pableau, who had been kicked backward by the combined effect of a big charge and fright. The monster proved to be a full-grown puma, or American lion, nearly five feet in length, and standing over two feet high. The paws were very heavy and powerful, measuring four inches and a half in length, and four inches broad.

the animal was making off rapidly when the father gave chase; the panther dropped the child and fought desperately with the man, but was soon overcome by a shot from a neighbor who had fortunately witnessed the fearful attack.

TURTLE-TURNING.

edge of the sea, turns its big head to either side, and toddles hurriedly and awkwardly up toward the highest point, where it loses no time in excavating a deep hole for its eggs. So persistent are they when once at work that one can take the eggs one after the other as they are deposited, leaving only the empty hole in the sand, to be as carefully covered by the simple creature as if it contained its proper complement. They are exceedingly shy in landing, and will not come on shore if an

they seem to realize their helplessness. The favorite method is to turn them on to their backs, and this requires the whole strength of at least one man. Hundreds of eggs are laid at one time, and are covered about eighteen inches in the sand. The heat of the sun hatches them, and the young work their way out and toward the sea with unerring precision.

On the following day we sailed into Angel- | intruder is discovered; but once out of water fish Creek, a channel within the vast field of young mangroves. The space between the main land of Florida and the outer line of keys is a vast mud flat, nearly dry in some places, and having numerous channels. Upon the Reef border the young mangroves find a foothold, and a steady increase is made toward the final filling up of the bay, even to the main land. Tavernier Creek is another of these open water-ways, quite like a river-open runs produced by the tides. Here is the favorite haunt of the young sea-turtles, a good feeding-ground, secure from the numerous enemies of the outer water. The green turtle here finds in abundance the peculiar sea-weed which it prefers, and on which it thrives and fattens. During the breeding season they are easily taken while crawling upon the beaches to lay their eggs; but many are taken by pegging, as the turtler terms it. A prism-shaped pointed steel peg is fitted to a socket in the end of a stout pole. A line holds the peg, and serves to draw the creature toward the boat after it has been driven into the shell and loosened from the pole.

Fine specimens of the hawk's-bill turtle are caught here, having the elegant shell plates, or scales, so valued in jewelry and comb manufacture. The green turtle is most valued as an article of food, and the Key West market is usually supplied from these back bays and creeks. The loggerhead turtle, a coarser and larger reptile, attaining the weight of several hundred pounds, feeds mostly on flesh, and is caught upon the beaches during the breeding season. In the summer months, and on moonlight nights, turtle-turning is practiced, and the visitor in these regions finds in it exciting recreation. Lying on the clean sand of the beach, with an eye athwart the sparkling ripples of the shoal water, an eager listener; presently a slight break is seen, hoarse breathing heard, and all is still for a moment, when a huge form rises from the

As we floated on the smooth surface a fine view was had of these haunts of strange, unfamiliar creatures. The water, clear as crystal, and the white coral mud, revealing every object distinctly. Nature reigns here undisturbed, save by the sponge-hunter, who pushes his boat through the labyrinthine channels, year after year, in continuous search. Young green turtles are very numerous; darting away as the boat passes over them.

One is reminded of a gay pantomime: gorgeously colored angel-fish flit by, crossing and recrossing like so many richly dressed columbines, their gay bands and wing-like fins resplendent with color. Harlequin morays, darting in and out of the shadows of the sea fans and feathers; groups of gorgonias brilliant with iridescence; clowns, pantaloons, and supernumerary shapes innumerable among the conchs, hermit-crabs, and devil-fish. A small species of saw-fish was frequently seen, a sluggish creature of the shark family, rather neatly formed, but furnished with an unaccountably long and broad snout, armed with a row of stout teeth on either edge-a prolongation of the upper jaw as long as the body of the fish, seemingly formed altogether as a defensive weapon, which can only be worked sidewise as a scythe.

Sponges were very numerous, though we were told that a large portion were not worth gathering. The sponger could readily distinguish the best as he pushed his boat over them. Some of the coarser kinds, not marketable, are

four feet in diameter.

They are all more or less concave at the apex. A black membraneous tunic covers them, and soft jelly-like portions project into the pores and cavities, constituting the slight claim they have to a place in the animal kingdom. Animal mucus and fat oil have been found in their analysis; so the vexed question is settled by chemistry, and they are unquestionably admitted to the ranks of animated nature, though far from active members. A slight current is observable over the openings, and nourishment is probably absorbed as it circulates through them. The frame-work is made up of silica, a wonderful proportion, in the form of spiculæ or splinters. Unlike most other marine objects, sponge is less attractive in its living state; only after the soft parts are removed is it pleasing to the eye. The pretty urn and other shaped sponges found on the beaches are merely the skeletons.

A large trade is now carried on at Key West in this article. Small schooners, from ten to twenty tons burden, are employed. They are much the shape of half an egg, and as flat as is consistent with due regard to sailing qualities; approaching, probably, as near as is possible the mythic craft that is said to "float in a heavy dew." These vessels lie at anchor in the channels, while the spongers push their small boats over the flats to gather the sponge. In some places they dive for it, and in shoal water grapple them. The specimens are very heavy, being loaded with water and the jellylike animal matter. They are buried in the sand of the beaches until the matter is decom

posed, when they are washed and carried to Key West, collected upon strings of convenient length, and bleached in the sun. That portion of Key West called Conchtown is the principal depository, where the yards and fences are loaded with them. For many years nearly all the sponge collected on the Florida Reef was sold at Key West to an Israelite of New York, one Isaacs; latterly others have entered the trade, and a very respectable income is derived from it.

To the naturalist, of whatever "persuasion," these mangrove thickets afford a wonderful field for observation. If he is an ornithologist, the homes of the herons and the eyries of the ospray are here at hand; is he a conchologist, how rapturously he views in the still water the winged aplysea, the rich tints of the triton, or, as it climbs the buttress of the mangrove, the mottled mickramock; a lover of crustaceans, the great hermit-crab, with his imbricated armor and formidable side-arms, most potent for defense, at the mouth of his confiscated castle; mayhap a gorgeously colored strombus of the larger growth. Radiata? the enthusiastic starhunter finds his type cloaked in many strange devices, from the great cucumber-shaped biche la mer through many forms to the undisguised conventional star of the order, the pretty fivefinger. To the botanist, not a varied field; but to him with artist eye, a never-ending succession of grand scenes and choice aspects. Nature seems to have varied the grouping of the mangroves in such manner that new charms are presented at every remove. At sunset the play of light and shadow, the chiar-oscuro of nature, was particularly charming, and new beauties were added by the strong reflections in the still water.

The great white herons, bright as snow, here make their homes; congregating at certain points they settle down upon the topmost branches to roost, contrasting their ermine vesture with the rich green of the foliage. Frequently we came up suddenly and surprised them, standing in the shallow water where they watched patiently for shell-fish. Particularly in the twilight the scene was of great interest. Like a panorama, as our boat moved along through the narrow channels, appeared each side of the thicket. A constant rising on either side so long as we continued to float on. Here a big sand-hill crane rises, flapping off to settle down farther inland. On the other hand the richly plumed night-heron; anon a lazy bittern; all around us the snowy egrets; at our bows the grebes and cormorants, and the curious snakebirds, diving, pushing forward, and looking furtively behind them; and where the channel spreads out into bay-like openings, the pelicans and gulls and terns were disporting in great numbers. Frequently long lines of white, looking in the distance like neat picket fences, proved to be white cranes standing listlessly in 6 the shoals. With the rich green back-ground of the thicket a beautiful picture was presented.