The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-08-10

KEYWEsT, uly q 1850
As shall have no opportunity to Sc nd you a let
ter direct for time, unless embr the occa-
sion offered by the Isabella, which wi II arrive here
tonight from Havana, and leave agai for Charles
ton, will write you by her few hu rried lines.
You will hardly wish to know an thing of the
voyage across the Gulf-for that w as like all 9TH
ers--light winds, squalls, sea-sickn ess eRnu ex-
element with something of novelty running
through all. Our first land was Tampa Bay,
where we arrived on the morning of the 18th inst,
and, immediately on crossing the bar, came to an
Choir, and proceeded ashore, LIANT ling ON Mullet
Key, an island at the entrance Of the harbor
All Of our party went ashore, nd Immediately
separated, each one going to dltie rent part Of the
island, some having guns, some fishing-tackle, and
all prepared carry back to the vessel such spec-
mems of plants, fish, birds, and shells, as might
come in their way. The result of ore days labor
on this island, and Egrement, lying directly south,
was quite satisfactory.
The islands are covered with the palmetto tree ;
besides which, saw several kinds CT swamp trees,
mostly of unknown species. Upon -Egremont Key,
we found two families at the light house. One of
them formerly lived in Mobile, that Mr. jameson,
who has charge of the light here. He was very
/ hospitabie We dined with him, nd were shown
all the wonders of his vicinity. He exhibited some
cotton grown from wild seed. les character and
quality do noG know, but will show you speci-
men on my return. We found here also a species
of wild ig--the fruit very small, but delicious
and fruit called by the inhablta ants grape. IL
grows bush or small tree Our collection of
plants and shells was quite numerous We also
procured several birds, which were skinned and
stufed-among them were two beautiful little
| birds, known here as sand-doves. They are not
more than one-ihird the size of our turtle-dove,
but have beautiful plumage, ana in all their mo-
| lions, flying, walking, and feeding, bear very
| strong resemblance to them. The fishes in Tampa
Bay are quite numerous; in fact, more abundant
than in any other locality ever visited, and are
easily taken-the choice varieties for the table be-.
ing the pompano, red fish, toupon, and sheephead.
Oysters are likewise abundant and, at this season,
| very fine.
| The soil on the Key is mostly sand, mixed with
shells. AT Tampa, Tor Fort Brooke,) we found
| limestone in abundance. Professor j.. obtained
| some fine specimens, taken from the bottom of a
| well, and Others from lime pit, and some from
The bottom Of the bay, brought up by our anchor.
They were filled with fossil remains and his opin-
ion, from their examination, is, that the geological
character of this portion Of Florida strongly
bes that of the st. Stephens region. He obtained
some petrified fossil teeth and bones collected
fifty miles southeast of Tampa, among which were
three species of sharks teeth fossil horses tooth
and the bones of turtles, and the rib of the mana
| tus, or sea-eow.
II Since arriving here we have seen collection Of
FOSSILS obtained at the same locality among which
the Professor saw teeth of both the mammoth and
| the mastodon. We are at present unable to 90
so Tar INTO the interior, but think it possible we
| may yet do so before our return. This region
abounds in fossil remains, and if properly examined
nlHI ueNeioP some important truths
/ Tampa contains about 300 inhabitants and is an
incorporated citys very healthy and has this wear
shipped about 200 bales of cotton.
We arrived at Key West to-day at 10 o'clock.
and the extreme beauty Of the place has fascinated
all OF us. Our attention particularly attracted
to the cocoanut tree filled with ripening fruit The
banana and tamarind and lime are also here in
| abundance. All the vegetation upon the island is
of new character to us, forcbly reminding us that
we are within the tropics The houses are low
and mostly built of limestone, of which this KEY is
composed There are several singular towers
which, on our approach, excited much observation
they called look-outs " and are erected for
the purpose OF discovering vessels in danger or dis
tress, or wrecks, and of themselves indicate the
character and occupation of most of the inhabitants
here. The harbor at this place is the only good
/ one In this region That and the danger to nayi-
CATION, occasioned by the Florida reefs, have built
up this out of-the-way place. Here all the wrecks
in this region b ought and libslled on salvage
in the United States Court established here for ad-
| miralty purposes There has been wreck brought
into the port for months and the people declare that
business is dull and dispiriting in that line. To-
/ day went into the court room and heard the con-
cluson Of the trial upon the information filed by
the United States against the steamer Creole. She
was condemned, pro e0nfessO, and is to be sold
upon fifteen days notice have since learned that
appeal will be taken from the decree of the dis
trict Court. The feeling Of the most of the popu-
| lation here was in favor of Gen. Lopez. The in
vasion by him of Cuba has cut off all the trade
between that island and this place, formerly car
| ried in small vessels.
Our departure from Key West will not probably
take place before next Friday; if before that time
any other means of communication offers, will
write further; if not, you will not probably hear
from our party until the lapse of two or three
weeks at which time we shall return TO this niaca
In the meantime we shall cruize up the reef touch
ing at several of the keys and occasionally on the
main land.