FLORIDA.


city, also


the churches-four-the public schools,


opera-


house, etc., are all creditable structures.


The Government


dock, barracks, and forts are all large and costly, this.being
regarded as one of the most important points in the defen-


sive system of the United States.


An unpleasant feature


is the impossibility of obtaining cool well or spring water.
Wells can not be sunk, and there are no springs, and the
inhabitants are obliged to depend on rain-water cisterns or


condensed supply.


Turtling, sponging, mullet-fishing, and


shell-hunting are important industries. A large number of
men are engaged in wrecking on the reefs. The popula-
tion is about eight thousand five hundred.