18 BUREAU OF GEOLOGY
that created the emergent islands of the Keys.
Although the park and marine sanctuary encompass hardwood hammocks, mangrove swamps, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, the coral formations and associated marine life attracts the most visitors. Coral reefs are among the most beautiful and interesting of all living communities. They represent a colorful, very complex and prolific ecosystem. Daily, glassbottom boat tours are available for visitors who do not wish to dive onto the reef. Figure 14 shows the locations of points of special interest on the reef tract.
The park offers a variety of recreational facilities, including a visitor center with nautical history exhibits and slide programs, concessions, a dive shop, sailboat and canoe rentals, boat launching ramp, picnic and camping areas, and swimming areas with bathhouses (Figure 15).
Park Rangers provide special snorkeling programs to familiarize visitors with the most desirable method of observing the coral reefs. Maps and instructions are available for the most interesting sites on the reef. Campfire programs are provided during the winter season. Guided walks and canoe trips are provided year-round. For further information, write or phone John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, P. 0. Box 487, Key Largo, FL 33037. Telephone (305) 451-1202.
LIGNUMVITAE KEY STATE BOTANICAL SITE
The serenity and isolation of remote islands have always captured man's imagination. Lignumvitae Key is no exception. To step ashore here is to take a step back into the past (see Figure 16).
The Matheson House, built in 1919, has changed little over the years. A windmill provides power, and fresh water is supplied from a cistern which is filled by rain falling on the roof. This is how island people lived during pioneer times when most of their needs were met by the land and sea around them.
This island is an ancient counterpart of a modern patch reef. Patch reefs are smaller reef complexes that grow in relative isolation, often behind the main reef line. The patch reef that became Lignumvitae Key grew behind its main reef, now the Florida Keys. Numerous modern patch reefs can be seen in the shallow water between the Keys and the main reef line that fringes the Florida Straits.