the leaves are more erect; thus allowing every drop of dew which collects upon the surface to run toward the centre of the tree, moistening the bundles of fibres which make up the solid structure of the trunk.

The guavas, several varieties, are thrifty in all parts of the island. In this garden are some fine trees. The fruit is rich and luscious, and furnishes the well-known jelly of the West Indies. The trees are low and strag

The plantain is quite as common as the ba-gling, like the peach, but have a rich, glowing nana here, and is so much like the latter that it deserves no special notice. The fruit is not pleasant except it be cooked.

The

foliage and smooth, mottled bark, like that of ash. It is worthy of remark here that nearly all trees and shrubs of these warm regions are destitute of the rough bark so common to trees of the North. It occurs to us that this is parallel with the fact concerning animals. Northern animals are provided with thick coats, and shaggy ones in the extreme North, while those of the tropics are smooth and thinly clad. The pitch-pine is loaded with thick, shaggy bark. The palm is naked, its smooth skin quite exposed.

The

In the front corner of this estate we observe a most singular tree; and in our rambles around town we meet it frequently near the street. One remarkable specimen is within the parade at the barracks. This is the Ficus pedunculata, or wild fig. Its habits are very similar to the banyan of the East, or Ficus indica. As is frequently the case, the one we are observing is supported by another tree. The seed of the fig has been left by some bird upon the branches The sapodilla is a straight, elegant tree of of an iron-wood-tree, and now the latter seems the middle size. Several fine ones here, near to be wholly within the grasp of the fig. Root- the front walk, are completely shaded by the lets or aerial branches are thrown down, while cocoa palms, yet they are fresh and thrifty, the young tree derives nourishment from the and full of the russet-apple-like fruit. iron-wood, and a rapid growth soon covers it tree resembles closely the Magnolia glauca. entirely. Branches shoot out and hang in the Maumee-apple and maumee sapoté are beautiair until they reach the ground, where they take ful trees, and bear large egg-shaped fruit, most root, and present the novel aspect characteris- excellent in quality. The peculiar form and tic of the banyan. The leaf of this fig is large grouping of the leaves, and their curiously arand oblong, unlike the indented leaf of our edi-ranged veins, make this tree conspicuous and ble fig-Ficus carica. Like the India-rubber- interesting in this delightful exhibition of tree, it has the thick white milky juice common foliage. to this family. One of the members yields a rich and wholesome milk, much prized by the natives, and is consequently called cow-tree. Bread-fruit is another product of the class. Many, however, yield poisonous juices; the famed upas is one. The gum-resin of commerce called shellac is from another of the family.

One of the taller and more conspicuous trees here is the almond. It is a striking feature in the scenery-not the less that it is the only tree that shows the autumnal colors in the cooler season. The branches are thrown out horizontally around the tree at a certain height; then a straight, limbless trunk rises a few feet, and another whorl of branches spreads out. Frequently three of these whorls or umbrellashaped groups are seen. The leaves are very large and thick, and in many respects the tree is remarkably attractive. The fruit is imperfect here; though probably this is not the species that bears the finer kinds of commerce. The tamarind is prized much for its fruit. Fine groups of them are common, and they are now loaded with ripe pods. The inner part of the pods is a most grateful, acidulous morsel, and when preserved is much esteemed. The delicate tracery of the tamarind leaves is quite rivaled by that of the chaparral. The latter resembles the weeping-willow, has smooth, rich green trunk and branches, and a flowing, airy spray of foliage of the finest feathery character, with slender stems of golden-yellow blossoms. This tree is more like the mimosa than chaparral, and is probably misnamed.

The soursop and custard - apple are small shrubby trees, bearing fruit that is much valued.

The shaddock, with its great pumpkin-like oranges, grows in abundance.

Limes are in great profusion, and the woods are full of them. The juice is considered much more agreeable than that of the lemon. The latter is not of much account here, as, like the orange, having tap-roots, they do not find sufficient depth of soil.

Of all the flowering shrubs the oleander is the most prominent. Trees they are here fifteen or twenty feet high. Our friend, the Judge, can show us his neat cottage quite o'ertopped with them; and if we visit him at evening, and sit under his cheerful veranda (always allowing him to retain the wicker rocking-chair), he will show us a display of the gorgeous cups of the night-blooming cereus, which "excite our special wonder; while the air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle senses," fraught with the perfume of the festooned jasmines and roses.

What a wealth of gay blossoms these oleanders display! Marvelous, indeed, and one would think sufficiently so in this garden of gay beauties. Yet our benign friend, noting the fulsome exposition of the beauty and rarity of certain plants duly catalogued from the North, essayed to procure and plant a few seeds of the marvel of Peru, judging correctly, as he thought, that a marvel from Peru, a land renowned for all that is gorgeous-the plant would certainly prove a desirable acquisi

tion. The Judge could have borne the disap-wonderful objects compared with others, or conpointment, he said, "with some degree of sidered as mere plants. The flower is exceedequanimity had he not from time immemorial ingly beautiful, like others of the cacti, but pure been bothered by the plaguy four-o'clocks com- white. ing up all over his garden. Why don't they say four-o'clocks, and done with it ?" These same four-o'clocks prove quite acceptable at Tortugas. We maintained a hedge of them several years. They become, like many plants, perennial, and grow quite shrubby. They were cut neatly in square shape, and continued blooming the year round. The agave, or Sisal hemp, grouped with the various shrubs, is an effective object in the garden. The vines and flowering plants that climb and hang gracefully over the walls are delightful objects, and each deserves a nearer view. The effect at night, while the moon is shining through the thick foliage, is exceedingly pleasant; and when a gentle breeze is stirring, the great leaves of the cocoanut palm, rasping each other, give forth a sound like a gentle fall of rain. The birds make free with this little forest, and give sweet music in return. Rambling out from the main street we gradually emerge into a low wooded expanse. Here the curious candle cactus rears itself above the surrounding shrubs, with here and there a stalk of agave relieving the uniformity of the outline. How strange and various are the forms of this family! This is a member of the cereus family, and is as prim and straight and angular as Mr. Burton tried to be in his inimitable personation of the head of a similar one. The grand columns of this plant in Mexico are

The night-blooming cereus is native, growing luxuriantly upon trees; fastening itself, each joint as it puts forth, by rootlets. The houses are sometimes loaded with this plant, as it fastens readily upon brick or wood. In many of the yards in Key West the large trees are seen every evening during the warmer months decked with the great cups of this elegant plant. It is easily propagated by the joints. A curious example of that tendency in nature to adapt itself to circumstances is afforded here. This cereus, when not climbing and fastening itself by rootlets which are thrown out of the angular borders, contracts regularly at about every foot of growth, where a woody fibre is formed to strengthen it. It then enlarges to its proper size and shape, growing one of these joints every month. But if the plant is allowed to fasten itself by the rootlets it continues on for many feet in one unbroken angular column, somewhat like that of the columnar cereus, or candle cactus, but triangular in form. In the former case no rootlets are thrown out, as they are not called for; at the same time the fibrous contracted parts are called for to render the plant service as acting backbones. This would be a pretty example for the " development" theorists were it not true that, like every other object subject to such changes, the plant is ever true to its sphere of creation,

66

"Well, now, I know I'm gwine to hab rain, Cap'n-suah, stranger," says Sandy, as we approached, in company with our friend. "Yes, dat tree is Susannah's tree-dat is, I keeps dem trees for her sake, and I comes out dere and reads in de Bible and ponders." The tree that we were examining is the mastic, which yields the gum-mastic of the shops. We failed to see the connection, however, concerning Susannah.

Fine grapes are growing here trained upon

be it never so "plastic" notwithstanding. Here is very fond of plants, and has a very extensive comes closely to us the question, Has the crea-variety of tropical productions. tion been put forth by some unknown cause, endowed with innate power, with laws that work blindly, indefinitely; or, is there an Omnipotent, an Omnipresent Author who has devised the all-wondrous plan of nature, and yet guides and directs its workings? It seems impossible for one to take the former view without blindly setting adrift, and either denying the existence of the Creator, or attributing to him "resources so meagre that in order to create a human being endowed with reason, he must first change a monkey into a man. With-frames. In his garden near the house are fine out question this diversity of thought arises from two opposite qualities of mind. It is most likely that those who embrace the "development theory" are all of the same class of minds, the mathematical, say, or metaphysical. On the other side are found practical minds; those that see Nature as she is, and accept her plan as laid bare before us. A gentleman of great culture, yet given to useless speculations, remarked that he "could wish that the theory was correct, as it offered a grand field for thought." There lies the secret. Not satisfied with a devout contemplation of Nature as presented in her manifold forms, lacking the sense of appreciation of her beauties, forgetting for the time how little is our power of comprehension comparatively, impatient of the slow yet sure steps of exact science, they can only be amused by risking the accepted faith of the Christian for a wild reverie after a "simple and easy solution of the fact that we live."

From the angles of the cereus the buds put forth, and bloom with very little stem, the large cups appearing to open directly from the surface. Fully spread, the flower is of pearly whiteness. The stamens are very numerous, and have the effect of the plumage of the bird of paradise. Mingled with the perfume of the jasmines, the air is often nearly oppressive with the odor.

guavas-an orchard of them-and sapodillas. On an old stump near the house is a bald eagle, which Sandy has kept for many years. Date palms, oranges, lemons, pomegranates, limes, grow here in perfection. Pine-apples, tobacco, coffee, and sugar-cane also thrive, with more or less luxuriance.

Near Sandy's house are the remains of an old mill, which was once used to crush the leaves of the agave or Sisal hemp, from which the Manilla or Mexican hemp is made for cordage. The manufacture was abandoned on account of undue cost in working the mill. Labor being cheaper in other countries, the hemp is imported for less price than they can afford to manufacture it at Key West.

The pawpaw is a striking and singular object-rising with bare trunk, showing scars where the long-petioled leaves have dropped. From the top a cluster of leaves shoots out, and altogether the tree resembles a fan palm at a distance. The fruit hangs from the base of the leaves. An unusual number of terrestrial shellfish are seen lying on the ground and crawling over the stones. In the North, land-shells are so small and inconspicuous they are seldom seen. Few are probably aware how large a number of shell-fish live upon the land, permanently adapted to terrestrial life. Several species of helix, or snail, and a large achatina are plentiful here. Myriads of dead shells lie upon the ground. Some of the islands in the Indian Ocean are wonderfully stocked with land-shells. Ceylon has one hundred and twelve known spe

Other species of cacti are numerous in the forest-among them the opuntia, from which the cochineal bug of commerce is obtained. This plant in Mexico yields many thousand pounds yearly. The prickly-pear, a low varie-cies; and in the Philippine Islands there are ty, covers extensive tracts, and several delicate-over three hundred. ly formed species are found in single groups. In the gardens are cultivated many of foreign growth.

In the midst of the bush lives an old negro called Sandy. Every one who has visited Key West has heard of or made acquaintance with this odd genius. The old man, now white-headed with age, has lived here with his wife, as he says, a heap many year. Sandy is shrewd, intelligent, and provident. He has read much and pondered, he says, and for many years has held forth to his colored brethren. His voice is voluminous, enduring, and cumulative-interesting his hearers, and plunging them into the most profound agitation, physically, if not mentally, agonizing to behold. The old man

A rambling style of gardening is that of old Sandy's; but he succeeds in raising a good deal of nice fruit.

The garden of Captain Pfister is probably one of the finest on the island. More care is taken there to produce good fruit, and plenty of it. He has all the usual varieties, and in great profusion.

In these gardens we meet with nothing familiar; all is strange, yet full of interest. An epitome of the tropics is here, in our own land, and proves a pleasure to those who are unable to go from home to enjoy the views in foreign climes. At New Orleans and throughout the Southern States we meet with many strange forms of vegetation, but mingled with those

It is

so far south that a new zone is presented with peculiar productions, animal as well as vegetable. The pelican and the frigate-bird at once attract our notice. The palm and banana are equally strange to our sight.

In the outskirts of the town are many quaint cottages and cabins, where as quaint old people live. Old Uncle George puts his snow-white head out from the door and says, "Come in!" We are enthusiastically fond of these choice bits of living pictures. A friend who is quite as enthusiastic, and an artist of great culture withal, once, in the

suburbs of Havana, in

UNCLE GEORGE'S CABIN.

the midst of a pouring rain, from which his com- | branches, which bend with the weight of the panion was hastily urging him, insisted on hav-rich, red-cheeked fruit. The flower is an eleing the umbrella held over him while he sketch- gant sculptured cup of scarlet, quite unique ed a rude cabin, "full of the picturesque." We and wonderful as compared with others. are almost afraid that it will be thought absurd to stop by the way and enter and admire this "picturesque" cabin of Uncle George's. But let us take a glance, and not tarry. Plumes of cocoa-nut palm, long lance leaves of banana and plantain, rich russet foliage of almond, glossy green globes of guavas, towering over and nearly concealing what little space is left on the thatched walls not decked with flowering vines of ipomoeas and jasmines. Gorgeous oleanders break the green masses, in varied tints, from the rich crimson to the lightest blush of pink. Slender sprays of coral-bush tipped with lake, peach blossom roses, and gay cups of the many-colored elders and cordianas, come into the picture; and the quaint old colored folk, quite in keeping, complete the scene.

The profusion of flowering plants and trees impresses the stranger with pleasure. A stroll up and down the streets is quite enjoyable, particularly in the early spring, when there is rather more than the usual floral display. All through the winter plants bloom, birds sing, and insects flit and hum.

One of the most singular and striking flowering trees is called the Gieger tree here, from the fact that Captain Gieger first brought it from the West Indies. The exquisite tint of scarlet, and large size of the flowers, render it very showy and ornamental. The pomegranate is a graceful shrub, throwing up long, slender

Though there are few houses here of any pretension to style, there are many tasteful cottages and domiciles. The house of Mr. Ferguson is a pretty Grecian structure, standing on about half an acre of land, and almost hidden from view by the numerous palms of all sizes. This place is exceedingly attractive to the stranger. The Marine Hospital is creditable, and is a pleasant feature, surrounded by noble trees. The Episcopal church and the parsonage are appropriate structures, and are embellished finely by the grand row of pine-trees-a tall species of Southern growth.

Were the streets shaded by palms, which grow so rapidly here, the town would present additional graces, greatly to the credit of its inhabitants and charming to the stranger. Across the island, to the northward, lie extensive salt ponds. Years ago these ponds were remunerative. Slaves were then employed, and other labor was low-priced. Lately the works have been re-established on a more scientific footing, and there can be no doubt but the intelligent enterprise of the proprietor will prove eventually successful. Key West salt has always maintained the highest standard, the highest reputation, in the whole list of localities, being placed at the head of the list by competent authority. This fact will stand always to its credit, and must be the means of bringing a considerable income to the town.

This, with the sponge trade, and the usual wrecking business, gives to Key West at present a good earnest for the future.

The bay on the northern side bears a lively little fleet of vessels, small craft, nearly all of which are engaged in the sponge business. Opposite this bay is the government reserve, where is situated the United States barracks an artillery post, and one of the neatest in the Six handsome cottages are arranged on two opposite sides of a square. Barracks for the privates are on the third side, facing the fourth, or front, which borders the bay. A handsome parade ground is within; and a hospital, with other appropriate quarters, is situated near.

army.

The caulerpas, comprising those elegant trailing plants with feathery fronds, most remarkable in their close resemblance to pinion plumage, constitute the entire forage of the greenturtle, so prized as an edible reptile.

After a heavy gale from the southward the beaches are loaded with alga from the reef, and great numbers of the various species of sponge and gorgonias, sea-fans, sea-feathers, and other forms, attached to dead coral or shells. At such times the wonderful display of curious zoophyte forms cast upon the shore is worth a visit.

Our lost boat seemed likely to place an obstacle in the way of rambling along the reef; but we were fortunate in coming into possession of an almost duplicate of the one so much prized-one no less celebrated than the cutter of the yacht Wanderer, that was sold here, the noted slaver. We christened her The Curlew; and as our schooner is no more also, and the Bos'n having brought himself to a peace footing, we embark in the new boat, intending to Loopholes for musket-run ashore along the reef as we head for the western end, or "leward"-"Down to the Tugasses," as the wreckers say; "Tight and snug," says the Bos'n-and we head her for the Marquesas.

As we shove ashore innumerable light-colored crabs run up the beach and suddenly disappear. Spirit-crabs! Appropriate name. Sin

Fort Taylor is a strong work, with two tiers of casemates. Besides the two towers, with their surrounding casemated works, two others are to be constructed-one upon the extreme eastern portion, and another upon an island in the inner harbor. These square towers are arranged to mount four guns of the largest kind on the top or parapet. ry are in the walls. Covered ways and casemates are in the works surrounding the towers. Along the south beach, facing the broad waters of the Gulf, grow most delicate and brilliantly colored algæ, mossy sea-weeds, and corallines. At low tide, when the little pools are left on the rough ledge, exquisite forms are seen, simulating in the clear mirror of still wa-gular, square-bodied creatures, of the same color ter the daisies and the ferns of the forest. Here is a form quite unique, even among the algae. Long, slender stems bearing shallow circular cups, prettily radiated in the manner of the mushrooms. We so often meet with bright faces like these turned to the sunlight from the sea-side, learning to regard them as animal nature, that here in the same pool with such forms as tubularias, anemones, and others, it seems odd that the delicate fringes of this little cup do not instantly recoil on being touched. This is certainly one of the most interesting of all the algæ.

That species called Acetabularia crenulata grows in pretty bunches, and looks like so many mushrooms, barring the color-a delicate green. Algæ vary much in their composition, from the purely vegetable structure to those that absorb or assimilate muriate of lime of the seawater to form within their tissues a carbonate of lime, which in some species is hard as stone. Some of the nullipores are quite like stalactites or coral forms.

The laminarias, those long-leafed kelps with hollow stems, are not found here. Around the rocky shores of the North immense beds of them are seen in a calm day, swaying in the sea like tall grain.

Marine vegetation here forms a distinct province, differing greatly from that of the eastern coast, and strongly resembling that of the Mediterranean. Nearly one-third of the species are identical. Near one hundred and fifty species are found upon this island.

as the surrounding sand. Here they burrow for retreat, and sally forth by hundreds to feed on carcasses.

This

Low trees or shrubs, called bay-cedar, completely cover these islands. Crawling upon the branches were great numbers of hermit-crabs, each with his stolen coat upon his back. is truly a freak of nature. Many of the species are aquatic, but this one is terrestrial, and does not go into the water. With chest and arms of formidable strength, this creature ignobly tapers to a soft, worm-like posterior. Like Richard, not shaped for sportive tricks, curtailed of fair proportion, cheated of feature, deformed, unfinished, sent before its time into this breathing world scarce half made up, it seeks to usurp and intrench itself within the castle of another knight of the shore.

As soon as the young crab has attained sufficient size and strength to assume its wonted responsibility, and struggle for existence, it forthwith looks about for "its size" among the cast-off univalve shells; first thrusting a long claw into the chambers to make sure that all is well and the castle vacant. Should a smaller or weaker knight of his order chance to be the occupant, battle is given at once. The sallyport is closed by the stout mailed arms, and the castle held strictly on the defensive as its only safety. The ambitious knight is on the alert, however, and eventually succeeds by strategy. The weaker party relaxes a little, and peeps forth to survey the field. A well-aimed blow and quick passage of arms place the incumbent