ture of the cochineal, the tea plant and the barilla, might be made very productive, when under the fostering hand of American ingenuity and enterprise; and asmost of the plants in the province partake of an aromatic and medicinal property, no doubt can be entertained of the growth of the cinnamon and pimento.

ANIMALS AND INSECTS.

The Bear and Deer afford, in the interior parts of this Province, a most abundant supply of fresh meat for the traveller; while their skins serve as articles of export. The buffalo is said to be among the number of wild beasts, but To these may be added the quadrupeds common to the southern states, such as racoons, opossums, squirrels, lynxes, and wolves, most of which are troublesome to raisers of the smaller live stock.

not commonly seen.

This Province formerly abounded in large flocks of horned cattle and horses; but since its cession to Spain, it has become quite destitute of both the frequent depredations of the Indians, of fugitives from different countries, and of the various parties under the specious appellation of patriots, have contributed to this destruction.

Here it may be important to remark, that the race of Spanish horses crossed by the American are considered better calculated for service. Mules are also recommended.— Sheep will furnish excellent mutton in the dry parts of the country, where pasture can be produced devested of the cockspur, which is not only very troublesome, but detrimental to these animals, as they are apt to swallow the burrs. The wool of those far south is apt to become hairy, and unfit

for the purposes of manufacture. Goats would rather impair than improve a country, destined to become the botanical of the United States.

nursery

Alligators and Rattlesnakes are numerous; but though they are held in great dread by the timid, they are inoffensive, unless roused to protect themselves. The Alligator, in particular, must be often awaked from its profound sleep on the banks of the rivers, before it will attack the traveller. Its shell is so impenetrable, that a bullet will not injure it, unless it strikes the head between the eyes. The Rattlesnake, and the tail part of the Alligator, are sometimes eaten by the hungry traveller. The following story is told by Bartram:

"I accompanied my father on a journey into East Florida, to attend a congress that met at Fort Picolata, on the banks of the St. John's, for the purpose of forming a treaty with the Creek Nation respecting territory. After the Indians, and a detachment from the garrison of St. Augustine, had arrived, and encamped separately, near the fort, some days elapsed before the business of the treaty came on, waiting the arrival of a vessel from St. Augustine, on board of which were the presents for the Indians. My father employed this time of leisure in little excursions round about the fort. One morning, being the day the treaty commenced, I attended him on a botanical excursion. Some time after we had been rambling in a swamp, about a quarter of a mile from the camp, I being ahead a few paces, my father bid me observe a rattlesnake, just before me. I stopped, and saw the monster formed in a high spiral coil, not half his length from my feet; another step forward would have put my life in his

power, as I must have touched, if not stumbled over him; the fright and perturbation of my spirits at once excited resentment; and at that time I was entirely insensible to gratitude or mercy. I instantly cut off a sapling, and soon despatched him. This serpent was about six feet in length, and as thick as an ordinary man's leg. The rencounter deterred us from proceeding on our researches for that day. So I cut off a long tough withe or vine, which I fastened round the neck of the slain serpent, and dragged him after me, entering the camp with him in triumph; and was soon surrounded by the amazed multitude, both Indians and my countrymen. The adventure soon reached the ears of the commander, who sent an officer to request, that if the snake had not bit himself, he might have him served up for his dinner. I readily delivered up the body of the snake to the cooks; and being that day invited to dine at the governor's table, saw the snake served up in several dishes, Governor Grant being fond of the flesh of the rattlesnake: I tasted it, but could not swallow it. I, however, was sorry that I killed the serpent, after coolly recollecting every circumstance: He certainly had it in his power to kill me almost instantly, and I make no doubt that he was conscious of it. I promised myself that I would never again be accessary to the death of a rattlesnake, which promise I have invariably kept. This dreaded animal is easily killed; a stick no thicker than a man's thumb is sufficient to kill the largest at one stroke, if well directed, either on the head or across the back; nor can they make their escape by running off; indeed, they never attempt it when attacked."

The Gouffre is the resident of the pine barrens; it lives principally under ground, except when it wants food and water, and is said to live upon vegetables. The shell is about fifteen inches long and twelve inches wide. It is remarkable for its strength, being able to move without much difficulty upon the ground, with a man standing upon its back. It digs a hole in the ground, the direction of which is a depressed angle of about thirty degrees and ten feet deep. In the bottom a nest of young rattlesnakes is often found in the early part of the summer. The gouffre generally remains sometime at the entrance of the cave, before it ventures abroad, and on the appearance of danger, retreats. It resembles the loggerhead turtle, and brings forth its young in the same way. It shields itself from danger by closing up its shell, and is rarely seen any distance from its den.

Thus far Mr. Brown's Western Gazetteer treats of the gouffre, to which I can only add, that they are very common in Florida, and that they afford a mess, when properly cooked, little inferior to the green turtle, which is also found in great quantities on the more southern coast.

In addition to the gouffre, are several species of tortoise of an amphibious character, affording delicious food.

son.

Sea Cow, or Manate; this amphibious animal, which is by some said to be the fabulous mermaid of antiquity, has been found in the interior of these provinces in the winter seaBartram relates, that he saw a part of a skeleton of one, which the Indians had killed some time before.The grinding teeth were about an inch in diameter, the ribs eighteen inches in length, and two and a half in thick