They are sometimes enormous in size, weighing many hundred pounds. The logger-head and duck bill are less esteemed. Extentsive salt works have long been in operation here. They produce annually about 30,000 bushels of salt by solar evaportion. Corals and shells of unusual beauty are found among the keys, and can be bought for a trifling amount.
Handsome canes made of the Florida crab-tree, are also to be purchased.
Key West is a U.S. naval station for supplying vessels with coal, provisions, etc. As in a military point of view the point is deemed of great importance in protecting our gulf coast, the general govenrment has gone to large expense in fortifying it. Fort Taylor , at the entrance of the harbor, is still in process of construction. When completed, it will mount 200 heavy guns. Besides it there are two large batteries, one on the extreme north part of the island, and one midway between it and Fort Taylor.