The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-12-27
A Florida Lake.


of Florida, from the day when Ponce de
Leon marched thitherward in search Of
the "fountain of life until now. The
following description of a remarkable
lake might sound rather "6shy," if it
were not from Prof. J. P. Steele, known
as the author of several popular and en-
cellent scientific books. He says:
This lake rivals the famous valley of
Sinbad the sailor 1t is thought to av-
erage 1000 feet down to the water, all
around. The walls may be reported as
entirely perpendicular, running down
into the water and leaving no beach The
depth of the water is unknown, and its
surface is smooth and unruffled, as it lies
so far under the surface of the mountain
that the air currents do not affect it. Its
length is estimated at twelve miles and
its breadth at ten. There is beautiful
island in its centre, with luxuriant trees
upon it. No living man has ever yet
reached the waters edge, and it is not
probable that any ever will. 1t lies
silent, still and mysterious, in the bosom
of the everlasting hills" like huge
we'll scooped out by the giant genii OF
the mountains in the unknown ages OF
long ago, and all around it, great prime.
val forests ian eternal watch and ward
are keeping"
In company with an experienced
guide, l reached the little lake in ques-
ton at about the hour of ten in the morn
ing. How large it was l could not tell,
but judge it must be of considerable
size, from the fact that | could not see
across it, although enjoying kind of
bird's-eye view from location some dis
lance above the level of the water.
turned my attention to the water,
and was soon convinced that had un-
doubtedly met with phenomenon, for
it was so clear, so very transparent, that
l could see through it in every direction
with as much apparent ease as II 1t had
been the atmosphere itself Presently
saw one of the inhabitants limited at, n
little creature of light brown color,
looking, as it glided here and there
through the pure element, not unlike a
common chimney swallow. Then came
another, and another, and another, until
all the waters of the lake seemed to be
swsrminy with them. They were very
busy and very swift in their motions,
darting, whirliDg. and angling with the
greatest ease and the most charming
grace; the guide said that like birds of
the air they were in quest of their prey,
feeding upon animals too small to be
seen by US from our standpoint.
Suddenly, while was gazing in won
der upon these strange creatures, a new
actor appeared in the person of a larger
animal, about the size, shape and color
of a huge muskmelon. He was quite
transparent, so much So, that could see
through and through him as plainly as if
he had been glass jar and as he moved
leisurely about, | noticed that he was
catching and devouring the little "swal-
lows without mercy His interior,
which seemed to be huge cavity-noth-
ing more-was literally filled with them,
some still alive and swimming about in
their strange prison. The entire mass
held within his gigantic stomach kept up
rapid whirling around and around in
one direction. fiom which inferred that
he had no regular digestive organs, but
simply core out bis food that is, reduced
it by friction to proper condition for
his sustenance.
Scarcely had got fairly interested in
this extraordinary animal, when along
came something which looked, with its
slim, arching neck, very much like a
swan. Its course was so directed that ere
long il was brought into contact with
the "muskmelon, and fight was the
consequence. 1t was short fight, how
ever. for neither Of the parties seemed to
relish the business, SO they separated and
struck off in opposite directions. A lit
tie distance, and the swan met another
Of its own kind, and they commenced
billing and cooling like two mated doves
but their pleasures were destined to he
OF short duration, for just at that instant