The Republican journal., 1905-03-30
THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES
SNAKES AND ALLIGATORS, WILD
TURKEYS AND DEER. PERSONALS.
THE SEASON CLOSING.
Correspondence of The Journal. I

PALM BEACH, FLA, March 10, 1905.
Visitors to Florida take much inter
est in the Everglades, which the au-
thorities will endeavor to drain, and
thus open to cultivation many thousand
acres of rich SOIL Snakes and alligators
now abound in the Everglades; but
neither will attack one unless driven to
it. The diamond back RATHER is one of
the most venomouS snakes known and
when first seen will be lying behind a
log or basking in the sun, with his big
fiat ugly looking head from which a
forked tongue is viciously thrust. Trav-
elers say they would rather face pan
Their than step on one of these reptiles.
They are from five to ten feet in length;
body black, marked with bright yellow
diamonds. The Indians are said to
have an infallible antidote for snake
bites, the secret of which they refuse
to divulge to white men. The number
of rAttleS on snakes tail does not al
ways indicate his age, as is often
thought, because they sometimes get
broken off as do the finger nails. Some
very large and old snakes have very
few rattles. The alligator dislikes to
be disturbed, and if surprised when
taking sun bath on the shore makes
a rush for the water and sinks to the
bottom of the lake or river. In passing
along the shore in boat one is often
startled by tile splash as the gator
slides off the bank into the water. The
largest are from ten to thirteen feet in
length. Sometimes the little ones, but
recently Matched, are seen lying in the
sun on the broad lily pads. They are
never found in company with their
elders, because their papas are too fond
of eating them.
The question asked by northern boy
the other day as to whether the old
alligator sat on the eggs like hens?" led
TO the following explanation: The alli-
gator builds nest of sticks, leaves and
grass, and it is very much like the house
of muskrat. In the middle of this
are laid from twenty to forty thick
Shelled pure white eggs, about the size
of the largest goose egg. These are
lett to be Matched by the heat of the
sun. When they break their shells the
little fellows Immediately scramble for
the nearest water where they are left
to care for themselves without parental
guidance or advice In fact, they are
wise enough from the very first to keep
out of the way of their elders, whose
only love for them seems to be that of
an epicure for dainty dish.
CrocodlleS are not as numerous in
the Everglades or on the coast as for
merry and are not often seen. The
head differs from that of the alligator;
it IS narrower and longer and the snout
is sharper, and at the end of the lower
jaw aye two long teeth or tusks which
project through holes in the upper jaw
The Indian name for the crocodile is
"Allapatta halo which means mad
gator Wild turkeys and white tailed
deer abound in the Everglades
Mrs. J. w. Frederick and Mr.. Charles
w. Frederick, after four weeks stay
here, are pleasantly quartered at The
Oaks, Daytona. The coming week Mrs.
Pendleton and Mrs. Nichols of Sears
port, who have been visiting for the
past month at The Palms, will start
north, with the many visitors who are
working homeward. | have met Mr.. E.
W. Hunt of Portland, who is here with
beautiful southern and Maine views,
and who is working northWard.
The season is fast drawing to close
and there is every indication of the big
hotels closing next week. From here
shall go to Miami, but as Mr. Frederick
has given you an interesting letter from
that point ! will not attempt it unless
something unexpected comes in view.
From Miami had planned on an ocean
trip to Key West but the season is grow
ing so warm that | have been advised
TO wait until another year.
ORRIN J. DICKEY.