176 FLORIDA.

 The Atlantic Coast of Florida.
 On its Atlantic seaboard Florida presents some curious
physical features. Along its entire extent there are no good
harbors, except at Fernandina and St. Augustine, and the
soundings are shoal for some distance out; yet just back of
the coast-line, for a distance of over three hundred miles
south of the mouth of the St. John's River, there is a suc-
cession of streams and lakes and lagoons which afford almost
uninterrupted inland water communication along more than
two thirds of the total length of the peninsula. The most
important link in this chain of waters-the Indian River-
is fully described elsewhere. At the northern extremity of
Indian River a canal, two thousand feet long, known as the
Haulover, leads into the Mosquito Lagoon, which extends
northward about twelve miles to Oak Hill, and then, through
the Devil's Elbow, connects with the Hillsboro River. The
latter extends northward about fifteen miles, and then be-
comes known as the Halifax River, which begins about
twenty-four miles south of St. Augustine. All this portion
of the State is exceptionally attractive, with a fine climate,
excellent sea-beaches, rich soil, and a varied capacity for
production. Its chief need at present is easy and certain
connection with the natural markets for its products ; and
this is likely to be afforded by a canal which the Lake
Okechobee Land Company propose to include in the great
system of public improvements which they have undertaken
to carry out.
 Their plan is to construct a continuous line of canal,
 suitable for commodious steamers of light draught, begin-
 ning at a point at or near the confluence of Pablo Creek
 and the St. John's River, and extending thence in a south-
 erly direction to and including Lake Worth, a total distance
 of about three hundred and thirty miles. In this connection
 the following passages from a Report to the Company," by