Items related to The Territory of Florida; Or Sketches of the Topography,...
The Territory of Florida; Or Sketches of the Topography, Civil and Natural History of the Country, the Climate, and the Indian Tribes, From the First ... Sketches of the Topography, Civil and Natural - Softcover
This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1837. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... 'Turtling forms so important a branch of southern industry, that a turtlecrawl is considered an essential appurtenance to a habitation ; as much so, as a barn is to a northern farmer. Turtle is the permanent stock. The crawl is a pen made where the water is about two feet deep, at low tide. Mangrove poles are generally driven into the beach, so near together that the turtle cannot pass between them. The tide thus flows freely about them, and they are daily fed with sea-grass or purslain. The Alligator, lacerta cinerous, is undoubtedly the ugliest creature living. Floating on the water he resembles a log. On land he looks like a huge snake, with the addition of thick, short legs, and sprawling claws. But it is in his wallow, a large mud hole among the rushes, that the alligator is quite at home, surrounded by a hundred young imps of ugliness, all barking like young puppies, and constantly pursued by the male for food. The female then adds rage to her natural deformity, and often kills her whelps by the strokes of her tail, while fighting in their defence. If any of our readers wish to become acquainted with the chivalric character of the male, let them consult William Bartram's Travels in Florida, page 129. These hideous reptiles are, however, more disgusting than dangerous. I have often seen people bathe within a few yards of them, with perfect safety ; nor have they, so far as we have ever heard, attempted to injure any person. They often attack dogs and hogs, and have, rarely, attempted to seize cattle swimming in the water. During the warm season they spend the night in holes of fresh water near the coast; but usually retire into the sea or some deep water during the day. Some inhabit the inland lakes and rivers, but salt lagoons are their favorite residence,...
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- PublisherGeneral Books LLC
- Publication date2012
- ISBN 10 1150291230
- ISBN 13 9781150291234
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages132
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