.ORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
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FLORIDA STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
E. H. SELLARDS, PH. D., STATE GEOLOGIST.
NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
PUBLISHED FOR
THE STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
TALLAHASSEE, I917.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
To His Excellency , Hon. Sidney J. Catts, Governor of Florida :
Sir : — In accordance with the Survey law I submit herewith my
Ninth Annual Report as State Geologist of Florida. The report
contains the statement of expenditures by the Survey for the year
ending June 30, 1916, together with those investigations by the
Survey that have progressed far enough to be available for publica¬
tion. Very respectfully,
E. H. Sellards,
State Geologist.
Vjhe e.o painter printing co. of land.fl4>/\|? 12047
CONTENTS.
Page.
Administrative report _ _ _ 5
Mineral Industries of Florida during 1916, by E. H. Sellards _ 9
Additional Studies in the Pleistocene at Vero, Florida _ 17
The Fossil Plants from Vero, Florida, by Edward W. Berry 19
Fossil Birds Found at Vero, Florida, with Descriptions of New
Species, by R. W. Shufeldt _ 35
Vertebrata Mostly from Stratum No. 3, at Vero, Florida, to¬
gether with Descriptions of New Species, by Oliver P.Hay 43
Review of the Evidence on which the Human Remains found
at Vero, Florida, are referred to the Pleistocene, by E. H.
Sellards _ 69
Geology between the Ocklocknee and Aucilla Rivers in Florida,
by E. H. Sellards _ 85
Supplement to Studies in the Pleistocene at Vero, Florida - 141
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PLATES.
Page.
Pis. i and 2. Fossil birds _ 42
PI. 3 Fossil mammals and turtles _ 68
Pis. 4 and 5. Views in the canal bank at Vero, Florida _ 76
Pis. 6, 7 and 8. Views in Leon, Jefferson and Wakulla counties _ _ 136
TEXT-FIGURES.
Fig. 1. Place of human bones in the canal bank _ 73
Fig. 2. Sketch map of West Florida _ 88
Fig. 3. Geologic sketch map _ 98
Fig. 4. Elevation of top surface of Chattahoochee limestone - 103
Fig. 5. Minor structural features due to solution in the limestone _ 106
Fig. 6. Sketch map of Lake Lafayette. _ 123
Fig. 7. Sketch map of Miccosukee Basin _ 125
Fig. 8. Topography around Orchard Pond _ 129
Fig. 9. Sketch map of lake basins - - - 131
Fig. 10. Sketch map of Lake Jackson _ 13 1
Fig. 11. St. Marks drainage system reconstructed - 134
Fig. 12. St. Marks drainage system - 135
Fig. 13. Wakulla drainage system - 136
MAPS.
Map showing contour lines _ 100
Map of Jefferson and Wakulla counties _ 100
4
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT.
EXPENDITURES OF THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR THE YEAR
ENDING JUNE 30, 1916.
The total appropriation for the State Geological Survey is
$7,500 per annum. No part of this fund is handled direct by the
State Geologist, as all survey accounts are paid upon warrants
drawn upon the Treasurer by the Comptroller as per itemized state¬
ments approved by the Governor. The original of all bills and the
itemized statements of all expense accounts are on file, in the office
of the Comptroller. Duplicate copies of the same are on file in the
office of the State Geologist. The. warrants when paid are on file
in the office of the State Treasurer.
LIST OF WARRANTS ISSUED DURING THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1916.
July, 1915
William J. Gerhard, publications _ $ 1.65
T. J. Appleyard, printing - 40.00
American Peat Society, subscription - 3.00
Southern Express Company - - - - 6.26
H. & W. B. Drew Company, supplies _ _ _ 4.70
Glen Photo Stock Co., supplies - .98
Board of Public Works, supplies - 18.20
August, 1915
E. H. Sellards, expenses, August, 1915 _ _ _ 15-93
Southern Express .Company _ i _ 19.51
Alex McDougall, postage _ 27.10
Miss W. Wellborn, services - 3-03
Wrigley Engraving Company, engravings - - 8.41
Maurice Joyce Engraving Company, engravings _ 168.40
September, 1915
E. H. Sellards, State Geologist, salary for quarter ending September
30, 1915 - 625.00
E. H. Sellards, expenses, September, 1915 _ - _ 10.05
5
6 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
Herman Gunter, assistant, salary for quarter ending September 20,
1915 - - 375-00
Laura Smith, services _ _ _ 87.00
Ed Lomas, janitor services _ 30.00
S. A. L. Railway, freight _ 47-93
E. O. Painter Printing Company _ 1,426.34
W. E. Knibloe, services _ 25.00
Alex McDougall, stationery _ 109.68
H. & W. B. Drew Company, supplies _ 3.38
Dan Allen, freight and drayage _ 5.00
October, 1915
E. H. Sellards, expenses, October, 1915 _ 96.65
Herman Gunter, assistant, expenses, October, 1915 _ 68.89
Southern Express Company _ _ _ 9.77
Alex McDougall, postage _ _ _ 123.40
T. J. Appleyard, printing - 28.00
Keystone Supply Company, supplies _ 5.30
November, 1915
E. H. Sellards, expenses, November, 1915 - 71.38
Herman Gunter, assistant, expenses, November, 1915 - 25.37
Southern Express Company — — - 6.05
Letter Shop, supplies - 2.25
Underwood Typewriter Company, supplies - 54-58
Dan Allen, freight and drayage - - - 1-45
Jules Eliott, supplies — : - - - 60.00
December, 1915.
E. H. Sellards, State Geologist, salary for quarter ending December
31, 1915 - 625.00
Herman Gunter, assistant, salary for, quarter ending December 31,
1915 - — - - - 375-00
Laura Smith, services - - - - 90.00
Ed Lomas, janitor services _ 30.00
January, 1916
E. H. Sellards, expenses, December, 1915, January, 1916 - 63.47
Herman Gunter, expenses, January, 1916 _ _ 21.00
Southern Express Company _ _ _ 6.23
W. H. Lowdermilk & Co., publications _ 5.50
American Peat Society, subscription _ 3.00
Alex McDougall, postage - 26.00
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT.
7
Groover-Stewart Drug Company, supplies _ 2.35
Abercrombie & Fitch Company, supplies _ 31.80
American Journal of Science, subscription _ 7.00
February, 1916
E. H. Sellards, expenses, February, 1916 _ _ 108.02
Herman Gunter, expenses, February, 1916 - 79-58
Southern Express Company _ 6.96
S. A. L. Railway, freight _ - _ : - - - 7.71
March, 1916
E. H. Sellards, State Geologist, salary for quarter ending March 31,
1916 _ 625.00
E. H. Sellards, expenses, March, 1916 _ 92.00
Herman Gunter, assistant, salary for quarter ending March 31, 1916 375.00
Laura Smith, services _ 118.00
Ed Lomas, janitor services _ 30.00
The MacMillan Company, publication _ 2.12
McGraw-Hill Book Company, publication _ 2.00
H. & W. B. Drew Company, supplies _ 13.22
G. E. Stechert & Company, publications _ 4.82
Southern Express Company _ 11.44
Economic Geology Publishing Company, subscription _ 3.00
Alex McDougall, postage _ 10.00
April-May, 1916
E. H. Sellards, expenses, April-May, 1916 _ 83.25
Flerman Gunter, expenses, April _ 33.26
S. A. L. Railway, freight _ 12.86
Southern Express Company _ 20.21
June, 1916
E. H. Sellards, State Geologist, salary for quarter ending June 30,
1916 _ 625.00
Herman Gunter, assistant, salary for quarter ending June 30, 1916 375.00
Laura Smith, services _ 116.00
Ed Lomas, janitor services _ 30.00
Total expenditures for the year ending June 30, 1916 _ $7,685.44
Appropriation for the year _ $7,500.00
Balance from the preceding year _ 7.49
Overcharge - 177-95 — $7,685.44
PUBLICATIONS ISSUED BY THE STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
The following is a list of the publications issued by the State
Geological Survey since its organization :
First Annual Report, 1908, 114 pp., 6 pis.
Second Annual Report, 1909, 299 pp., 5 text figures, and one map.
Third Annual Report, 1910, 397 pp., 28 pis., 30 text figures.
Fourth Annual Report, 1912, 175 pp., 16 pis., 15 text figures, one map.
Fifth Annual Report, 1913, 306 pp., 14 pis., 17 text figures, two maps.
Sixth Annual Report, 1914, 451 pp., 90 figures, one map.
Seventh Annual Report, 1915, 342 pp., 80 figures, four maps.
Eighth Annual Report, 1916, 168 pp., 31 pis., 14 text figures.
Ninth Annual Report (this volume), 1917.
Bulletin No. 1. The Underground Water Supply of Central Florida, 1908,
I03 pp., 6 pis., 6 text figures.
Bulletin No. 2. Roads and Road Materials of Florida, 1911, 31 pp., 4. pis.
Press Bull. No. 1. The Extinct Land Animals of Florida, February 6, 1913.
Press Bull. No. 2. Production of Phosphate Rock in Florida during 1912,
March 12, 1913.
Press Bull. No. 3. Summary of Papers Presented by the State Geologist at
the Atlanta Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science, December 31, 1913.
Press Bull. No. 4. The Utility of Well Records, January 15, 1914.
Press Bull. No. 5. Production of Phosphate Rock in Florida during 1913,
May 20, 1914.
Press Bull. No. 6. The Value to Science of the Fossil Animal Remains
Found Imbedded in the Earth, January, 1915.
Press Bull. No. 7. Report on Clay Tests for Paving Brick, April, 1915.
DISTRIBUTION OF REPORTS.
The reports issued by the State Geological Survey are distrib¬
uted upon request, and may be obtained without cost by addressing
the State Geologist, Tallahassee, Florida. Requests by those living
outside of the State of Florida should be accompanied by postage
or if desired the reports will be sent express collect.
8
MINERAL INDUSTRIES OF FLORIDA DURING 1916.
BY E. H. SELLARDS.
CONTENTS.
Page
Ball clay or plastic kaolin _ io
Brick and tile _ io
Fuller’s earth - 11
Ilmenite and monazite _ n
Lime, limestone and flint rock _ _ _ _ . _ 12
Oil prospecting _ 12
Peat _ 1 13
Phosphate _ 13
Sand and Gravel _ 15
Sand-Lime Brick _ 15
Water _ 16
Summary statement of mineral production _ 16
MINERAL INDUSTRIES OF FLORIDA DURING 1916.
E. H. SELLARDS.
The value of minerals produced in Florida during 1916 shows
an increase over that of the preceding year. The total mineral
production during 1915 is valued at $5,035,010, while that for 1916
is valued at $5,859,821.
BALL CLAY OR PLASTIC KAOLIN.
Three plants were engaged in mining ball clay in Florida during
1916. These were the Edgar Plastic Kaolin Company, Edgar; the
Lake County Clay Company, Okahumpkee ; and the Richmond
China Clay Corporation, Okahumpkee. The ball clays of Florida
are white burning, refractory clays notable for their plasticity.
They occur in association with sand from which they are separated
by washing. The value of the ball clay produced, although not
separately given, is included in the total mineral products of the
State.
BRICK AND TILE.
The total number of common brick manufactured in Florida
during 1916 was 31,029,000. In addition to building brick there
was produced also drain-tile and fire-proofing brick. The total
value of brick and tile products for the year 1916 was $226,362.
The following firms in Florida reported the production of brick
during 1916:
Barrineau Brothers, Quintette.
Campville Brick Company, Campville.
Clay County Steam Brick Company, Green Cove Springs.
Florida Industrial School for Boys, Marianna.
Gamble and Stockton Company, 108 West Bay St., Jacksonville.
Glendale Brick Works, Glendale.
G. C. & G. H. Guilford, Blountstown.
Hall and McCormac, Chiplev.
Keystone Brick Company, Whitney.
10
MINERAL INDUSTRIES.
I T
O. O. Mickler Brick Company, Callahan.
Lee Miller, Whitney.
Platt Brothers, South Jacksonville.
Tallahassee Pressed Brick Company, Havana.
Dolores Brick Company, Molino.
FULLER’S EARTH.
The total production of fuller’s earth in the United States dur¬
ing 1916, as reported by the U. S. Geological Survey, was 67,822
short tons, an increase over the preceding year of 19,921 tons. In
addition to that produced there was imported into the United States
during 1916, 15,001 short tons. Some fuller’s earth in former
years has been exported from the United States, although the
amount can not be determined owing to the fact that this product is
not listed separately from other clays.
The States producing fuller’s earth during 1915 were Arkansas,
California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts and Texas. Of these
Florida is the chief producer, the output from this State amounting
to more than three-fourths of the whole output for the United
States. The value of the fuller’s earth produced in the United
States during 1916 was $706,951.
The production in Florida, although not separately listed, is
included in making up the total mineral production of the State.
The following companies were engaged in mining fuller’s earth
in Florida during 1916: The Floridin Company, Quincy and
Jamieson; the Fuller’s Earth Company, Midway, and the Manatee
Fuller’s Earth Corporation, Ellenton.
ILMENITE AND MONAZITE.
The minerals ilmenite and monazite have been produced to a
limited extent for the first time in Florida during the past year.
These minerals are obtained from the beach sand at Pablo Beach
in Duval County. The firm operating there is Buckman and
Pritchard.
Ilmenite is a constituent of the sand on the Atlantic Beach as
far south as Miami. It is found also very generally in the sands
in the lake region of Florida, and is present to some extent through¬
out the State. The distribution of monazite is less well known,
since it is present only in very small amounts, and is not detected
in the sand except by a very careful examination.
12
FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
LIME AND LIMESTONE.
The total quantity of quick and hydrated lime made in Florida
during 1916 amounted to 8,666 tons, valued at $49,536. The lime
produced in Florida is chiefly quick lime, although some hydrated
lime is being made.
The total amount of limestone produced in Florida for all pur¬
poses except that of burning for quick lime, including building, road
making, railroad ballast and agricultural limestone, is valued at
$479,837. The following companies in Florida have reported the
production of lime or limestone for the year 1916. The first three
companies named produced both lime and limestone, the remaining
companies of the list produced limestone :
Florida Lime Company, Ocala.
Marion Lime Company, Ocala.
Standard Lime Company, Kendrick.
Blowers Lime and Phosphate Company, Ocala.
Brooksville Stone and Lime Company, Brooksville.
Crystal River Rock Company, Crystal River.
Live Oak Limestone Company, Live Oak.
Florida Crushed Rock Company, Montbrook.
Florida Lime Company, Ocala.
Manatee Limestone Company, Manatee.
E. P. Maule, Ojus.
R. L. Nunn, Brooksville.
Palmetto Rock Company, Riverland.
Pineola Lime Company, Pineola.
Stone Products Company, Bartow.
George Sykes Company, Miami.
A. T. Thomas & Company, Ocala.
White Rock Quarry Company, Naranja.
OIL PROSPECTING.
Oil prospecting in Florida is being carried on at the present time
to a limited extent, and test wells for oil and gas are now being
drilled in Gadsden, Wakulla, Osceola and Brevard counties. Test
wells of moderate depth have previously been drilled in Escambia,
Washington, Citrus and Sumter counties. None of the wells thus
far drilled have been successful, although showings of oil have
been reported in some of them.
There is a constant demand for information in regard to the
possible occurrence of oil and gas in Florida; this demand is met
MINERAL INDUSTRIES.
13
so far as possible by the Survey. No geologic problem, perhaps,
presents greater difficulties than the search for oil and gas. This
is particularly true in Florida, where the surface is prevailingly
level or but moderately hilly, and where good continuous surface
exposures of the underlying formations are not numerous. How¬
ever, even in a flat country the underlying structure may in a meas¬
ure be determined through the aid of the occasional surface expos¬
ures of recognizable strata supplemented by well records. This
problem of structure in Florida is receiving attention through co¬
operative study between the State Geological Survey and the Fed¬
eral Geological Survey and the results will be published as soon as
they can be made available. From the reports of the Survey
already issued much information may be obtained regarding the
geologic structure of the State.
PEAT.
Peat is being produced in Beswick, Florida, by the Ranson
Humus Company. This being the only plant in operation in the
State, the production is not separately listed. The peat produced
by this company is placed on the market in the form of prepared
humus and peat litter.
PHOSPHATE.
Notwithstanding the interruption of normal export shipping
conditions the production of phosphate rock in Florida during 1916
shows a slight increase over that of the preceding year. The total
shipment of phosphate rock in Florida during 1916, as reported by
the producers, was 1,515,845 long tons. Of this amount 1,468,758
tons were land pebble phosphate, the remainder being hard rock and
soft phosphate. Of the total shipments only 200,472 tons were
exported, or slightly less than during the preceding year. The
domestic shipments, on the other hand, were in excess of those for
the preceding year, both for hard rock and for land pebble.
The value of the phosphate shipped from Florida during 1916
was as follows: Land pebble, $3,847,410; hard rock, $295,755;
total, $4,170,165. The value of the total shipments during the
preceding year was $3,762,239.
Summary of shipment of phosphate in Florida from 1913 to
1916, inclusive:
14 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
Pebble Rock —
1913.
1914.
1915.
1916.
Exported _ _
. __ 887,398
625,821
185,846
172,427
Domestic _ _
1,168,084
1,203,381
1,122,635
1,296,331
Total Shipment
Hard Rock —
. _ 2,055,482
1,829,202
1,308,481
1,468,758
Exported _ _
476,898
303T72
43,314
28,045
Domestic _ _ _
12,896
6,517
6,816
19,042
Total shipment
Pebble and Hard Rock Combined—
. _ 489,794
309,689
50,130
47,087
Exported
1,364,296
928,993
229,160
200,472
Domestic ___
1,180,980
1,209,898
1,129,451
L3i5,373
Total shipment
2,545,276
2,138,891
1,358,611
1,515,845
Total shipments from beginning of
mining in 1888 to 1916,
inc. _ _
31,120,449
LIST OF PHOSPHATE MINING COMPANIES OF FLORIDA.
Acme Phosphate Company - Morriston, Fla.
Amalgamated Phosphate Company - Richmond, Va., and Brewster, Fla.
American Agricultural Chemical Com¬
pany _ 2 Rector St., New York, N. Y., and
Pierce, Fla.
Armour Fertilizer Works - Union Stock Yards, Chicago, Ill., and
Bartow, Fla.
P. Bassett (Successor to Central Phos.
Co.) _ —Newberry, Fla.
Peter B. and Robert S. Bradley - 92 State St., Boston, Mass., and Floral
City, Fla.
J. Buttgenbach & Co. - Holder, Fla.
C. & J. Camp _ Ocala, Fla.
Charleston, S. C., Mining and Manufac¬
turing Company _ Richmond, Va., and Ft. Meade, Fla.
Coronet Phosphate Co. - 99 John St., New York, N. Y., and
Lakeland, Fla.
Cummer Lumber Co. _ Jacksonville and Newberry, Fla.
Dominion Phosphate Co. - Bartow, Fla.
Dunnellon Phosphate Co. - Rockwell, Fla.
Dutton Phosphate Co. - Gainesville, Fla.
Export Pohsphate Co. - 53 State St., Boston, Mass., and Mul¬
berry, Fla.
Florida Mining Co. _ 61 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
Mulberry, Fla.
Florida Phosphate Mining Corporation-Dickson Bldg., Norfolk, Va., and Bar¬
tow, Fla.
Franklin Phosphate Co. - Newberry, Fla.
Holder Phosphate Co. - ^21 W. Ninth St., Cincinnati, O., and
Ocala and Inverness, Fla.
MINERAL INDUSTRIES.
15
International Phosphate Co. - 27 State St., Boston, Mass., and Ft.
Meade, Fla.
Interstate Chemical Corporation - 21 Broad St., Charleston, S. C., and
Bowling Green, Fla.
Istachatta Phosphate Co. - Istachatta, Fla.
Lakeland Phosphate Co. - Lakeland, Fla.
Leland Phosphate Co. - Croom, Fla.
Mutual Mining Co. _ 102 E. Bay St., Savannah, Ga., and
Floral City, Fla.
Meredith-Noble Phosphate Co. _ Somerville, N. J., and Morriston and
Romeo, Fla.
Palmetto Phosphate Co. - 812 Keyser Bldg., Baltimore, Md., and
Tiger Bay, Fla.
Phosphate Mining Co. _ 55 John St., New York, N. Y., and Nich¬
ols, Fla.
Prairie Pebble Phosphate Co. _ 5i Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
Mulberry, Fla.
Schilmann & Bene _ Ocala, Fla.
Societe Franco-Americaine des Phos¬
phate de Medulla (Successor to
Standard Phosphate Co.) _ Christina, Fla.
Societe Universelle de Mines, Industries
Commerce et Agriculture _ Paris, France, and Pembroke, Fla.
Southern Phosphate Development Co. _ Ocala and Inverness, Fla.
Swift & Co. - Union Stock Yards, Chicago, Ill., and
Bartow, Fla.
T. A. Thompson - Ft. White, Fla.
SAND AND GRAVEL.
The sancl produced in Florida is used for building and paving
and for railroad ballast. The gravel produced finds its chief use
for road making and for road ballast. The total production of sand
and gravel for 1916 was 86,452 tons, valued at $42,352.
The companies reporting the production of sand and gravel in
Florida during 1916 are the following:
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company.
Interlachen Gravel Company, Interlachen.
Lake Wier Sand Company, Ocala.
Logan Coal and Supply Company, Jacksonville.
Tampa Sand and Shell Company, Tampa.
A. T. Thomas Company, Ocala.
SAND-LIME BRICK.
Four companies were actively engaged in the manufacture of
sand-lime brick in Florida during 1916. The total production dur-
1 6 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY — -NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
in g 1916, including common and front brick, was valued at
$90,794. The companies reporting the production of sand-lime
brick in Florida during 1916 are as follows:
The Bond Sandstone Brick Company, Lake Helen.
The Composite Brick Company, 425 St. James Bldg., Jacksonville.
The Valrico Sandstone Company, Valrico.
WATER.
The total sales of mineral and spring water in Florida during
1916, as shown by the returns from the owners of springs and
wells, amount to 202,970 gallons, valued at $15,676. This repre¬
sents an increase over the preceding year when the sales amounted
to 118,920 gallons, valued at $12,516.
The companies reporting the production of water for commer¬
cial purposes during 1916 include the following:
Cedar Springs, Jacksonville.
Chumuckla Mineral Springs and Hotel Company, Chumuckla, Mineral
Springs, Chumuckla, Florida.
Espiritu Santo Springs Company, Espiritu Santo Springs, Safety Harbor,
Florida.
L. H. McKee, Quisiana Spring, Green Cove Springs, Florida.
Magnesia Spring Water Company, Magnesia Spring, Grove Park, Fla.
Purity Springs Water Company, Purity Spring, Tampa, Florida.
Tampa Kissingen Wells Company, Stomawa Mineral Well, Tampa, Florida.
SUMMARY STATEMENT OF MINERAL PRODUCTION IN FLORIDA
DURING 1916.
Common or building brick, fire-proofing brick and tile - $ 226,362
Lime, including quick and hydrated - 49,536
Limestone, including limestone for agriculture - 479,837
Mineral waters - 15,676
Phosphate rock _ 4,170,165
Sand and gravel - 42,352
Sand-lime brick _ 9°, 794
Mineral products not separately listed - — , - 784,799
Total mineral production valued at - - $'5,859,821
ADDITIONAL STUDIES IN THE PLEISTOCENE AT
VERO, FLORIDA.
THE FOSSILS PLANTS FROM VERO, FLORIDA, BY
EDWARD W. BERRY.
FOSSIL BIRDS FOUND AT VERO, FLORIDA, WITH DESCRIPTIONS
OF NEW SPECIES, BY R. W. SHUFELDT.
VERTEBRATA MOSTLY FROM STRATUM NO. 3, AT VERO, FLORIDA;
TOGETHER WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES,
BY OLIVER P. HAY.
REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE ON WHICH THE HUMAN REMAINS
FOUND AT VERO ARE REFERRED TO THE PLEISTOCENE,
BY E. H. SELLARDS.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Plates i and 2. Fossil birds.
Plate 3. Mammals and Turtles.
Plates 4 and 5. Views of the canal bank.
Text Fig. 1. Position of human bones in the bank.
THE FOSSIL PLANTS FROM VERO, FLORIDA.
EDWARD W. BERRY.
The discovery of human remains associated with an extinct
mammalian fauna at Vero has excited a great deal of local and
general interest, and various theories regarding the age of these
remains and the manner of their occurrence have already been
advanced, as well as admirable accounts of the local geology by
Sellards and others (i). It is therefore unnecessary for me to
repeat any of these details in connection with my study of the fossil
plants.
Plant remains in the form of laminae of impure peat or scattered
fruits, chiefly acorns, are present from the bottom to the top of the
deposits overlying the shell marl which forms the base of the sec¬
tion. The lower sands (designated No. 2 by Sellards) have yielded
no leaves and but few acorns, but the upper bed (Sellards No. 3)
contains many le,af layers alternating with sand laminae, and it is
from the latter horizon that all of the plants enumerated in the fol¬
lowing pages have been collected, except one species of acorn, which
is common to both beds.
Recent and extinct mammalian and other bones occur in both
layers, and human remains are also found in both beds. After a
thorough study of the local sections and the paleontologic evidence,
I am convinced that there is no hiatus between beds 2 and 3, and
that there is no great difference in age from the bottom to the top
of the section, although it records changing physical conditions and
necessarily becomes more and more recent as the top of the section
is approached. The lower sand marks the recession of the sea in
(1) Sellards, E. H., Am. Jour. Sci. (IV), vol. 42, pp. 1-18, 1916.
Eighth Ann. Rept. Florida Geol. Surv., pp. 122-160, pis.
15-31, 1916.
Science, N. S. vol. 44, pp. 615-617, 1916.
Journ. Geol. vol. 25, pp. 4-24, tf. 1-4, 1917.
Chamberlin, R. T., Journ. Geol. vol. 25, pp. 25-39, tf. 1-9, 1917.
Vaughan, T. W., Idem., pp. 40-42.
Hrdlicka, A., Idem., pp. 43-51, tf. 1, 2.
Hay, O. P., Idem., pp. 52-55.
MacCurdy, G. G., Idem., pp. 56-62, tf. 1-6.
19
20 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
which the underlying shell marl was formed. The upper beds (No.
3) mark successive seasonal layers of valley filling in the narrow
valley of a small stream. This stream was apparently always
small, and the marvelous abundance of fossils at this one point
sterns to be due to a bar or sinkhole or similar cache formed near
the junction of the two lateral branches which united near this
point to form the main stream. The determinable plants are repre¬
sented almost exclusively by fruits or seeds, as the leaves, with the
exception of the coriaceous oaks, which are abundant, were too
thoroughly decayed before they were buried to retain their identity.
The study of such remains is beset with many difficulties. The
material has to be sorted without allowing it to dry. It then has to
be impregnated with paraffin simultaneously with drying. Finally
identification is hampered by the lack of recent material for compar¬
ison, and when identified the determination of the exact range of
the still existing species on which so much hinges is a matter of
great uncertainty in the present state of our knowledge of plant
geography. I am under obligations to Mr. W. L. McAtee, of the
Biological Survey, for determining five species of fruits for me,
and I am indebted to Mr. R. M. Harper for data regarding the
present distribution in Florida of some of the forms.
After giving an annotated list of the species identified, their
bearing on the age and physical conditions at the time of deposition
of the deposits will be discussed.
GYMNOSPERMAE
ORDER CONIFERALES.
FAMILY PINACEAE.
GENUS PINUS LINN.
PINUS TAEDA LINN. THE LOBLOLLY PINE.
The occurrence of this species in the Vero deposits is based on
three seeds, and for that reason the identification may be questioned.
The seeds are mature and are identical in form and texture with
those of this species and are clearly not referable to Finns caribaea
or Pinas clausa, which grow around Vero at the present time.
The loblolly pine is found at the present time along the Atlantic
coast from Cape May, New Jersey, southward to Cape Malabar on
the east coast and Tampa Bay on the west coast of peninsular
FOSSIL PLANTS FROM VERO.
21
Florida. It is present in Polk County in the Lake region of the
central part of the peninsula, and probably extends with the south¬
ward extension of this region into DeSoto County. In the Missis¬
sippi embayment region it extends northward to Arkansas and
southwestern Tennessee. Cones, scales and seeds have been re¬
corded from the late Pleistocene of New Jersey (i) and Alabama
(2).
PINUS CARIB'AEA MORELET SLASH PINE
The occurrence of this species in the Vero deposits is based on a
single characteristic cone scale. In the existing flora this pine is a
West Indian and Central American species which extends north¬
ward over the southern half of the Florida peninsula. Farther
north it has been frequently confused with Pinus Elliottii, a per¬
fectly distinct species, which ranges northward to South Carolina.
The former is common at Vero in the existing flora and has not
previously been found fossil to my knowledge.
PINUS SP.
Fossil occurrence based on several immature seeds which are
not specifically determinable. They suggest the abortive seeds in
the distal part of the cones of Pinus clausa , but might equally well
represent abortive seeds of some other species. Pinus clausa , the
sand or spruce pine, is common along sandy shores and on old inland
beach ridges in the vicinity of Vero at the present time.
GENUS TAXODIUM RICH.
TAXODIUM DISTICHUM (LINN.) RICH. THE BALD CYPRESS.
The bald cypress, which is one of the most abundant trees in the
Pleistocene of our Southern States and is already well characterized
in the late Pliocene of Alabama (i), is represented in the Vero
deposits by a number of seeds and cone scales, but these remains are
not abundant enough to suggest the presence of a cypress pond.
(i) Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 98L, p. 195, pi. 45, figs. 1-6, 1916.
(1) Berry, E. W., Am. Jour. Sci. (IV), vol. 29, p. 391, 1910.
(2) Berry, E. W., Torreya, vol. 10, p. 263, 1910.
22 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
The bald cypress is now found from southern Delaware to
eastern Texas in the Coastal Plain and its Pleistocene range was
somewhat more extensive. In Florida it is found nearly through¬
out the State in swamps and low stream valleys. At Vero it is not
known in the immediate vicinity of the coast, but there are extensive
swamps about 12 miles west of the town, which are, however, sev¬
eral miles beyond the drainage basin of Van Valkenburg’s Creek.
It has been recorded from Dade County by FTarper.
ANGIOSPERMAE
MONOCOTYLEDONAE.
FAMILY CYPERACEAE.
GENUS CAREX LINN.
CAREX SP. SEDGE.
Two capitate clusters of the perigynia of some species of Carex
were found fossil at Vero. It is not possible to identify them as to
species, but the generic reference is positive. Various existing
species of Carex are. found at Vero and throughout Florida.
FAMILY ARACEAE.
GENUS PISTIA LINN.
PISTIA' SPATHULATA MICHX. WATER LETTUCE.
A characteristic leaf of this species was found fossil at Vero.
The water lettuce occurs as a free floating plant in still water or slow
moving streams throughout the tropics. I11 the United States it
occurs sporadically from Florida to Texas. It is recorded from the
Lake region of the central peninsula and from Lake Okeechobee,
but I did not see it in the Vero region.
FAMILY ARECACEAE v
GENUS SERENOA HOOKER F.
SERENOA SERRULATA (MICHX.) HOOKER. SAW PALMETTO.
The fossil remains at Vero comprise 3 leaf bases, fragments'
of the serrated petioles and several stones, all characteristic and
readily determinable.
FOSSIL PLANTS FROM VERO.
23
The Saw Palmetto is a shrubby gregarious species now found
from South Carolina to Louisiana and common nearly throughout
Florida, forming the prevailing scrub of the pine lands or flatwoods.
It is exceedingly abundant around Vero on undrained sands, but
has not heretofore been found fossil.
GENUS SABAL ADANSON.
SABAL PALMETTO (WALT.) R. & S. CABBAGE PALMETTO .
This species is represented in the Vero deposits by fragments
of the clasping petiole bases and by stones. It was evidently as
abundant a tree at the time the Vero deposits were formed as it is
now in this region.
The cabbage palmetto ranges from the mouth of the Cape Fear
River in North Carolina along the coast to the mouth of the Apa¬
lachicola River and reaches its maximum development in the Florida
peninsula. As far as I know it has not heretofore been found
fossil.
DICOTYLEDONAE.
ORDER MYRICALES.
FAMILY MYRICACEAE.
GENUS MYRICA LINN.
MYRICA CERIFERA LINN. WAX MYRTLE •
Nutlets and leaves represent this species in the Vero deposits.
The wax myrtle ranges from Cape May, New Jersey, to Texas
along the coast, as well as in the Antilles. It is very common as a
small tree in sandy swamps near Vero.
FAMILY LEIF NERI ACE AE.
GENUS LEITNERIA CHAPMAN.
LEITNERIA FLORIDANA CHAPMAN (?) CORK WOOD.
This species is apparently represented in the Vero deposits by
the characteristic persistent winter buds.
24 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
Corkwood is a shrub or small tree of muddy shores now found
along the Gulf coast from west Florida to Texas. It is not found
at the present time in peninsular Florida.
ORDER FAGALES.
FAMILY FAGACEAE.
!
GENUS QUERCUS LINN.
QUERCUS VIRGINIANA MILL. LIVE OAK.
This species is represented in the Vero deposits by characteristic
elongated acorns and turbinate cupules. Some of the leaf frag¬
ments suggest the leaves of this species, but these latter are not cer¬
tainly identified. Some of the cupules are suggestive of the closely
allied Quercus geminata Small.
The live oak is one of the most abundant trees in the Pleistocene
deposits of our southern states, and its ancestors are already well
defined in the Pliocene of this region. It has been recorded from
the early Pleistocene of Kentucky and Alabama and from the late
Pleistocene of Alabama.
In the existing flora it ranges from Virginia to northeastern
Mexico and does not forsake the region of the coast except in the
Rio Grande valley. It occurs in hammocks nearly throughout
Florida, and is not uncommon along the Indian River at Vero.
QUERCUS LAURIFOLIA MICHX. WATER OAK.
This species, represented by both leaves, acorns and cupiiles, is
the most abundant fossil form at Vero. It is also the only plant
represented from the bottom to the top of the section.
The water oak is found at the present time near the coast from
the southeastern corner of Virginia to Louisiana in sandy swamps
and stream valleys. It is present along the Florida coasts, except
those south of the Everglades. Sargent gives its southern range
as Mosquito Inlet on the east coast and Cape Romano on the west
coast, and while it extends farther south it is not nearly as abundant
around Vero as it is ioo miles farther north, nor as abundant now
as it apparently was at the time of the formation of the Vero
deposits.
FOSSIL PLANTS FROM VERO.
25
QUERCUS BREVIFOLIA' (LAM.) SARGENT. BLUE JACK OAK.
This species is represented in the Vero deposits by many char¬
acteristic leaves and by a few less certainly identified acorns and
cupules.
Its habitat now is sandy pine lands from North Carolina to
Texas. I found it common around Vero, although Sargent gives
its southern limit on the east coast as Cape Malabar, which is about
50 miles north of Vero.
QUERCUS CHAPMANI SARGEANT (?)
This species is represented in the Vero deposits by a consider^
able number of immature acorns and cupules and is not certainly
determined on that account, although the acorns are identical with
the corresponding immature acorns and cupules of this species. I
regard the identification as reasonably well authenticated.
Querciis chapmani ranges from South Carolina to West Florida
in sandy pine lands near the coast in the existing flora. It is com¬
paratively rare except in West Florida from Apalachicola to Pensa¬
cola Bay, and is unknown within hundreds of miles of Vero. This
type of oak was already in existence in the Miocene (1) and the
Vero occurrence may represent a collateral descendant of this Mio¬
cene ancestry.
ORDER POLYGONALES.
FAMILY POLYGON ACEAE.
GENUS POLYGONUM LINN.
POLYGONUM SP.
Achenes, identified for me by W. L. McAtee, represent this
genus in the Vero deposits. They are not specifically determined.
Polygonum contains over 200 existing species, mostly herbaceous
and widely distributed. Many are swamp plants and a number
occur in Florida.
(1) Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey, Prof. Paper 98 F, p. 66, pi. 11, figs. 1, 2,
1916.
26 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY- — NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
ORDER RANALES.
FAMILY MAGNOLIACEAE.
GENUS MAGNOLIA LINN.
MAGNOLIA VIRGINIAN A LINN. SWEET OR SWAMP BAY.
This species is represented in the Vero deposits by a follicle. It
ranges from Massachusetts to Texas in the existing flora and is
found in swamps and wet hammocks throughout Florida. It has
been recorded (i) from the Pliocene of New Jersey.
FAMILY ANONACEAE.
GENUS ANONA LINN. .
ANONA GLABRA LINN. POND APPLE.
This species is represented in the Vero deposits by a single seed.
The Pond Apple is essentially a tropical form and this is the only
one of the numerous tropical species of Anona that reaches the
United States. It occurs in ponds and swampy hammocks north¬
ward along the Florida coast as far as Cape Malabar.
FAMILY NYMPHAEACEAE.
GENUS BRASENIA SCHREB.
BRASENIA PURPUREA (MICHX.) CASPARY. WATER SHIELD.
A carpel of this species was found in the Vero deposits. The
water shield is one of the most interesting survivals from the Pleis¬
tocene and its present geographical range is exceeded by few if any
of the higher plants. It is an inhabitant of ponds and slow streams
and in America it is found on both coasts and from Canada to Cuba
and Central America. It is also present in Asia, Africa and Aus¬
tralia and was exceedingly common in Europe during the Pleisto¬
cene, occurring at this time also in North America.
There is no reason why it should not be present in suitable situ¬
ations throughout Florida, but I do not know of any records in the
Lake region or within some hundreds of miles of Vero.
(i) Hollick, A., Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, vol. 19, p. 331, 1892.
FOSSIL PLANTS FROM VERO.
27
ORDER SAPINDALES.
FAMILY ILICACEAE.
GENUS ILEX LINN.
ILEX GLABRA (LINN.)A. GRAY. G ALLBERRY.
This record is based upon three drupes found in the Vero depos¬
its. The Gallberry or Inkberry is at present found in sandy soil
near the coast from Massachusetts to Florida, and I found it
abundant along the drainage canal at Vero.
FAMILY ACERACEAE.
GENUS ACER LINN.
ACER RUBRUM LINN. RED MAPLE-
This species is represented by a characteristic samara in the
Vero deposits. The red maple is an inhabitant of swamps and
stream valleys ranging from Canada to Florida and Texas. Its
range in Florida extends southward to about latitude 26 degrees,
and it is still common around Vero. It has been recorded ( 1 ) from
the late Pleistocene of Alabama.
ORDER RHAMNALES.
FAMILY RHAMNACEAE.
ZIZYPHUS SP.
GENUS ZIZYPHUS LINN.
A much reticulate stone, identified for me by W. L. McAtee,
represents an extinct species, the characters of which it is hardly
possible to adequately define from a single fruit.
The geologic history of Zizyphus is a most interesting one. As
early as the Upper Cretaceous there were at least ten species in
North America and the genus is a common Tertiary type both on
(1) Berry, E. W., Am. Jour. Sci. (IV), vol. 29, p. 397, 1910.
28 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
this continent and Europe. The modern species are mostly Indo-
Malayan and the only North American species, except for the nat¬
uralized Zizyphus vulgaris , is the Texas Buckthorn Zizyphus obtusi-
folia (Hooker) A. Gray, a western arid species, which is found
from West Texas to Arizona.
What appears to be the same species as the Vero form was
recorded some years ago from the late Pleistocene (Talbot forma¬
tion) of New Jersey (i) and indicates the probable abundance of a
new element in the Pleistocene flora of southeastern North America,
one that has only recently become extinct.
FAMILY VITACEAE.
GENUS VITIS LINN.
VITIS CF ROTUNDIFOLIA MICHX. MUSCADINE GRAPE.
Large stout simple tendrils, together with fragments of stems,
undoubtedly represent this species in the Vero deposits. The mod¬
ern representatives inhabit sandy swamp borders and thickets from
Maryland to Florida and Texas and are still common at Vero.
VITIS SP.
The Vero deposits have yielded 5 characteristic grape seeds
which are not those of the preceding species, and which represent
either Vitis austrina Small of the northern peninsula or Vitis cor-
iacea Shuttlw of the West Indies and southern Florida.
ORDER THYMELEALES.
FAMILY LAURACEAE.
GENUS BENZOIN FABR.
BENZOIN CF MELISSAEFOLIUM (WALT.) NEES. SPICE BUSH.
This species is represented in the Vero deposits by drupes which
are not certainly identified because of their immaturity. It is cer¬
tain, however, that they represent this genus, which in the existing
flora is not recorded nearer Vero than the West Florida region.
(1) Berry, E. W., Torreya, vol. 10, p. 266, 1910.
FOSSIL PLANTS FROM VERO.
29
ORDER RUBIALES.
FAMILY CAPRIFOLIACEAE.
GENUS VIBURNUM LINN.
VIBURNUM NUDUM LINN.
This species is represented in the Vero deposits by both drupes
and stones. In the existing flora it is an inhabitant of swamps
from Long Island to Florida and Louisiana. In peninsular Florida
it is known from only the Lake region of DeSoto and Polk Counties
and northward. Two southern varieties, augustifolium T. & G.
and serotinum Ravenel, are sometimes distinguished by systematists,
but I have no material of these for comparison.
Viburnum nudum has been recorded (1) from the late Pleisto¬
cene of North Carolina.
VIBURNUM CF DENTATUM LINN.
This record is based upon drupes and stones from the Vero
deposits. It is close to this essentially more northern existing
species, but may not be identical with it. Viburnum dentatum is an
inhabitant of meadows and swamps and ranges from New Bruns¬
wick to the upland of Georgia. It does not occur in Florida at the
present time.
ORDER VALERIANALES.
FAMILY AMBROSIACEAE.
GENUS XANTHIUM LINN.
XANTHIUM SP.
Two small fruits characteristically those of Xanthium and
probably Xanthium glabratum (D. C.) Britton were found in the
Vero deposits. Some years ago I collected a fruit of Xanthium
from the late Pleistocene along the Chattahoochee River, the occur¬
rence of which I did not publish as I was not positive that it had not
been accidentally mixed with the Pleistocene material.
(1) Berry, E. W., Torreya, vol. 14, p. 160, 1914.
30 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY— NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
SUMMARY.
The foregoing comprise more or less positively identified
remains of 27 species of plants. Nineteen of these have not been
previously found fossil, while the following eight have already
been discovered in Pliocene or Pleistocene deposits :
Pinus taeda.
Brasenia purpurea.
Acer rubrum.
Zizyphus sp.
Viburnum nudum.
Taxodium distichum.
Quercus virginiana.
Magnolia virginiana.
The problem, in so far as it relates to the evidence of the plants,
depends on the correct evaluation of the change which this plant
assemblage shows when compared with the flora now growing at
Vero.
Of the plants found fossil the following are' still found at Vero,
and I have included in this list as probably found in the present
flora of Vero the 4 forms of Pinus, Carex, Polygonum and
Xanthium which are not specifically identified. This list comprises :
Pinus caribaea. Quercus brevifolia.
Pinus sp. Polygonum sp.
Carex sp. Magnolia virginiana.
Serenoa serrulata. Ilex glabra.
Sabal palmetto. Acer rubrum.
Myrica cerifera. Vitis cf rotundifolia.
Quercus virginiana. Xanthium sp.
Quercus laurifolia.
In addition to the foregoing 15 species still found at Vero the
following two species are found growing within 10 or 12 miles of
Vero :
Taxodium distichum. Anona glabra.
Three species approach to within about 50 miles of Vero, being
recorded from the, southern extension of the Lake region flora of
the central peninsula in DeSoto County. These are :
Pinus taeda Viburnum nudum.
Pistia spathulata.
The following six species are not now found growing in penin¬
sular Florida.
FOSSIL PLANTS FROM VERO.
31
Leitneria floridana? Vitis sp.
Quercus chapmani? Benzoin cf melissaefolium.
Brasenia purpurea. Viburnum cf dentatum.
Of these Leitneria floridana is a very local form not found
nearer than the Apalachicola River, and the chief center of growth
of Quercus chapmani is also in west Florida, while the true Vi¬
burnum dentatum does not occur nearer than the upland region of
Georgia.
Finally, the Vero deposits have yielded a fruit probably identical
with similar remains from the late Pleistocene of New Jersey rep¬
resenting an entirely extinct species of Zizyphus, a genus abundant:
in southeastern North America during the Tertiary, but not now
represented except by a single species of the arid southwest (Texas
to Arizona).
Two of the fossil species have been recorded from the Pliocene.
These are Tax odium distichum and Magnolia virginiana. One,
Quercus virginiana, is found in the early Pleistocene of both Ken¬
tucky and Alabama and the following occur in the late Pleistocene :
Pinus taeda. Acer rubrum.
Taxodium distichum. Zizyphus sp.
Quercus virginiana. Viburnum nudum.
Brasenia purpurea.
These latter, while they constitute but 26 per cent of the known
fossil flora at Vero, are especially significant in connection with the
fact that they all occur elsewhere in the physiographically youngest
of the Pleistocene terrace deposits, namely, the Talbot of New
Jersey and Maryland, the Chowan of North Carolina and the cor¬
responding lowest terrace at several localities in Alabama, while the
Vero deposits constitute the youngest physiographic terrace plain
of the region and are referred to the Pensacola terrace by Matson
(O- • '
In my judgment and in the ordinary acceptance of that term,
this flora is unquestionably of late Pleistocene age.
Regarding its bearing on the interesting problem of the age of
the human and associated mammalian and other remains at Vero,
my study of the locality furnishes the following conclusions. The
(1) Matson, G. C., U. S. Geol. Surv., Water Supply Paper 319, pp. 31-35, 1913.
32 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
underlying shell marl, which forms a definite and undisputed datum
plane, is late Pleistocene in age. Its species all exist in nearby
waters at the present time, and many of them have been recorded
from shell marls found from southern New Jersey to the Florida
keys and forming a part of the lowest and latest well-defined terrace
plain previously mentioned as having been named Talbot in Mary¬
land, Chowan in North Carolina and Pensacola in Florida. It fol¬
lows that the vertebrate remains which are so numerous at Vero
cannot possibly be of middle or early Pleistocene age unless they are
regarded as having been reworked from older deposits, and I cannot
conceive that this was possible, nor do the vertebrate paleontologists
who have examined the deposits consider that such was the case.
In fact, I believe that if it had not been for the over estimate of the
age of this vertebrate fauna, that Dr. Chamberlin would not have
advanced his hypothesis of the reworking and mechanical mixing
of these bones, nor that Dr. Hrdlicka would have insisted on the
human burial theory to account for the presence of the human
skeletal remains. While no human bones were collected during the
time that I studied the deposits, I did collect a number of bone
implements and fragments of pottery in association with the plant
fossils that could not possibly have reached their resting place
through the agency of human burial. Nothing is more reason¬
able than to suppose that the larger elements in the
Middle Pleistocene, fauna of more northern areas should
have lingered for thousands of years in this more genial
southern clime until the presence of man in considerable
numbers and the changing climate, as is attested by the fossil plants,
should have brought about the extinction of a large percentage of
the fauna. The fauna itself confirms the rather limited data fur¬
nished by the fossil flora of this change in climate, since it indicates
a more mesophytic habitat than exists today in the vicinity of Vero.
Regarding the burial theory of Dr. Hrdlicka, it may be said that a
part of the plant material came from immediately above one. of the
human skeletons, and I cannot conceive ’of the possibility of not
being able to see evidence of artificial burial in material made up of
alternate layers of sand and matted leaves and other vegetable
debris. I therefore see no reason to doubt that relative modern
men were contemporaneous with this partially extinct fauna of
Middle Pleistocene aspect which survived in Florida to the late
Pleistocene. With regard to the exact age of the Vero deposits
FOSSIL PLANTS FROM VERO.
33
there are it seems to me but two alternatives, and these apply equally
and are in large part derived from a study of the physiography and
the faunas and floras of the corresponding topographic forms in the
other states of the Coastal plain. These alternatives are that they
are about the same age as the Peorian interglacial deposits of the
Mississippi Valley or are. immediately post Wisconsin and corre¬
spond with what the Scandinavian geologists have named Litorina
time.
FOSSIL BIRDS AT VERO.
35
FOSSIL BIRDS FOUND AT VERO, FLORIDA,
WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES.
(Plates I and II., Figs. 1-25.)
By R. W. SHUFELDT.
Important and interesting fossils of plants, certain invertebrates
and vertebrates were obtained at Vero, Florida, in 1913. Vero is
situated on the Atlantic coast, in the eastern-central part of the
State. The excavations and exploration (still in progress) under¬
taken in that locality, which is referred to the Pleistocene, are now
becoming generally known through various publications which have
appeared on the subject. Chief among these is a paper by Dr. E.
H. Sellards, the State Geologist of Florida, which appeared in the
Eighth Annual Report of the Florida State Geological Survey
(pp. 121-160, pis. 15-21), 1916.
During the early part of November, 1916, Doctor Sellards
wrote me in regard to the lot of fossil bird bones which had been
collected from Stratum No. 3 of the Vero excavations, and re¬
quested me to describe them for a report (Nov. 4, 1916). This
material was received by me shortly afterwards, and I immediately
undertook an examination of it. To do this as thoroughly as pos¬
sible demanded the use of skeletons of a large number of species
of existing birds representing the avifauna of the eastern parts of
the United States. Such skeletons as appeared to be. necessary
were loaned me by the Division of Birds of the U. S. National
Museum, a favor for which I am deeply indebted. My thanks are
likewise extended to Dr. Charles W. Richmond, Assistant Curator
of Birds, and to Mr. J. H. Riley, his assistant, for many favors in
this connection, particularly for doing all in their power in the
matter of facilitating my work through their promptness in getting
the loaned skeletons into my hands.
In describing these fossil bones, they will be taken up in the
order they occur on the annexed plates, with the unfigured speci¬
mens arrayed at the close of the list. All of the bird bones from
Vero are included in this paper except the large Jabiru weillsi pre¬
viously described by Dr. Sellards.
36 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
CATHARTES AURA. STRATUM 2.
(Plate I., Figs. 1, 2.)
One of the most conspicuous bones in this part of the collection
is the imperfect specimen of a left ulna of Cathartes aura; it is in
two pieces (Plate I., Fig. 2), the bits of the shaft joining them hav¬
ing been lost. So far as it goes, the specimen is practically perfect,
barring a slight chipping of the extremeties. It agrees in all partic¬
ulars with the ulna of the Turkey Buzzard as it occurs at the present
clay; even the distances between the papillae for the ends of the sec¬
ondary feathers of the wing are the same in number, and occupy
identically the same positions on the shaft.
QUERQUEDULA FLORIDANA, sp. nov.
(Plate I., Fig. 4. Plate II., Fig. 25. Compare with Fig. 3.)
Pleistocene, Vero, Fla., Stratum 2.
There is present in the collection the right humerus of a small
anserine bird, closely related to our Teals of the genus Querquedula .
Comparisons have been made with several species of that genus;
but it differs in one way and another from all of them, while it
agrees in general character. It appears to be most nearly like the
humerus as we find it in Querquedula discors , but differs from it in
being somewhat shorter throughout; that is, the extremities of the
bone are relatively larger and the shaft stouter. This humerus
belonged to a species of Querquedula now extinct, and I propose
for it the name of Querquedula floridana, the type bone being the
humerus here described and figured. Extreme length, 6.6 cms. ;
extreme width of head (to apex of radial crest), 1.6 cms. Sigmoid
curve of the shaft rather more pronounced than in Q. discors.
Distally, the tubercles somewhat chipped — otherwise quite, perfect.
ARDEA ? (sp. ?) Stratum 3.
(Plate I., Fig. 5.)
No. 6774. Represented by the distal two-thirds of a bird’s left
tarso-metatarsus, with the condyles considerably broken away, but
the shaft perfect. This bone has been compared with the corre-
FOSSIL BIRDS AT VERO.
37
sponding one in the skeletons of a great variety of waders of differ¬
ent families and genera. It belonged to some species of a heron,
quite closely related to those of the genus Ardea of the same general
size, and larger than such a form as the existing Nycticorax n.
naevius. This specimen is somewhat too imperfect for reference,
or to base a new species upon. It should be set aside until addi¬
tional material is discovered that may throw more light on the
question with respect to the species, living or extinct, to which it
probably belonged or represents.
HERONS ? (sp. ?) Stratum 3.
(Plate I., Figs. 5, 6, 9-11.)
No. 7554. This is a rather large, elongate vertebra from the
anterior end of the chain of the cervical vertebrae of the neck of
some heron of medium size; it is more or less perfect anteriorly,
but broken off posteriorly. Comparisons have been made with the
corresponding bone in the skeleton of the neck in a large number
of waders of all kinds, as heron, egrets, spoonbills, and their various
allies. Of all these it comes nearest to Herodias egretta. The
specimen is, however, in the absence of other bones from the same
bird, too fragmentary to refer it with certainty to any existing
species, or to base a new species upon.
In the same lot occur two other vertebrae (Figs. 9 and 10, Plate
I.), and also a distal piece of a tarso-metatarsus (Fig. 11, Plate I.).
All three of these are too small to have belonged to birds of the size
which furnished the tibiotarsus shown in Figure 5, or the vertebra
shown in Figue 6 of this plate. These two small vertebrae (Figs.
9 and 10) may have been from the same skeleton to which the piece
of a tarso-metatarsus , shown in Figure 11, belonged; but there is no
certainty about this. All three may quite possibly have belonged
to some average-sized wader of the heron order ; but it is impossible
to be certain about this until additional material comes to light at
Vero, of the same kind and character, and representing the same
species.
38 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
TYTO PRATINCOLA (Barn Owl), Stratum 3.
Plate I., Figs. 7 and 8. (Fig. 7 fossil).
No. 6934. This is the distal moiety of a right tibiotarsus of an
adult specimen of the Barn Owl ( Tyto pratincola) . It agrees, with
surprising exactness, with the corresponding part of a tibiotarsus of
this species of owl in a skeleton in the collection of bird skeletons
in the Division of Birds, of the U. S. National Museum (No.
19,636), with which I have compared it.
LARUS ? (sp. ?), Stratum 3.
(Plate I., Fig. 12.)
No. 6773. In the lot at hand there are two fossil bones of birds
bearing this number, one of whicii has already been described above
(Fig. 5, PI. L), and the present one, which is the distal moiety of
the right tarso-metatarsus of some water bird, and possibly, if not
probably, of a gull (Lancs), or some form related to the gulls. It is
about the size of the corresponding bone in the skeleton of an adult
Larus atricilla; but its shaft is much broader above, and more com¬
pressed in the antero-posterior direction. It should be set aside
until some material be discovered in the same locality, which may
throw light upon it.
ARDEA SELLARDSI, sp. nov., Stratum 3. •
(Plate II., Fig. 15.)
No. 7551. This is the distal third of a right tibiotarsus of a
heron, somewhat smaller than Ardea herodias, and apparently dis¬
tinct from it. (3 +). It presents all the characters found in the
same bone, or part of a bone, which we find in A. herodias , while
at the same time its shaft is slightly stouter; the anterior tendinal
groove narrower and more distinct; the anterior intercondylar val¬
ley narrower and deeper superiorly, and some minor differences.
The condyles in the specimen are considerably abraded, and, more¬
over, broken off posteriorly.
This fossil is the type bone of a new species of extinct heron,
for which I propose the name of Ardea sellar dsi, naming it for Dr.
Elias Howard Sellards, in recognition of the valuable work he is
FOSSIL BIRDS AT VERO.
39
performing and has performed as State Geologist of the State of
Florida.
ARDEA HERODIAS, Stratum 3.
(Plate II., Fig. 1 7.)
No. 6932. There are two pieces of fossil bird bones bearing this
number in the collection; one of them is shown on Plate II., Fig. 17,
and will be described below. The other is a piece of a long bone —
that is, a portion of a humeral shaft of a rather large bird, and it is
so fragmentary as to be valueless as a specimen for reference. The
other (Plate II., Fig. 17) is the distal third of the left tar so -metatar¬
sus of an adult Ardea herodias and probably differed in no marked
respect from that species as we now meet with it in the existing
avifauna of Florida. Possibly it may have been a subspecies of
Ardea herodias; but there is no telling in regard to that from a
fossil bone.
MYCTERIA AMERICANA (?) Pleistocene, Stratum 3.
(Plate II., Fig. 19.)
No. 7000. An imperfect distal third of a right tarso-metatar-
sus of a large .wader, more or less imperfect, and trochlese nearly all
broken off. Upon comparing this imperfect fragment with the cor¬
responding bone from a skeleton of Mycteria americana in the col¬
lections of the U. S. National Museum (No. 1507), it is found to
agree very closely with it in nearly all the characters, and such
differences as the fossil bone presents in this comparison may be
entirely due to individual variation. In the fossil, the shaft is a
trifle stouter and the tendinal groove somewhat wider, while, as a
matter of fact, the differences are very slight. The probabilities are
that No. 7000, here described, belongs to a specimen of Mycteria
americana.
HUMERUS OF A FOSSIL BIRD (gen. et sp. ?), Pleistocene, Stratum 3.
(Plate II., Fig. 20.)
No. 7552. (24). Some of the characters of this fragment
point to the possibility of its having belonged to some medium-sized
40 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
anserine form. It had a length of about that of Dendrocygnus
autumnalis, and it very possibly may have belonged to a bird of that
genus — that is, a Tree Duck. It should be set aside until further
material be brought to light from excavations at Vero later on.
LARUS VERO, sp. nov.
(Plate II., Fig. 21.)
Pleistocene, Stratum 3, Vero, Fla.
The type bone.
No. 6933. Left carpo -metacar pus of an extinct gull, of a
larger species than Larus atricilla, or a larger bird among the terns
than Sterna maxima. This bone runs very close with respect to
characters among the gulls and terns. Still, everything else being
equal, the head of the bone is proportionately larger in the terns, as
compared with its shaft, than it is in the gulls. This can be appre¬
ciated by comparing Figures 21-23 of Plate II. Then the general
morphology of the proximal extremity of the bone is somewhat dif¬
ferent, which may also be appreciated by critically comparing the
aforesaid figures. The specimen is imperfect, the shaft of medius
metacarpal having been broken off and lost. Extreme length 5.75
centimeters.
For this new and now extinct Gull I propose the name of Larus
vero, the specific name being for the locality where it was discov¬
ered.
SHAFT OF AN ULNA; BIRD.
(Not identified.)
No. 6793. Stratum 3. This bone belonged to some large bird of
an unknown species. The extremities having been broken off and
lost, it is too fragmentary for identification or reference. It should
be set aside until further material conies to light during future
excavations in the same locality.
Washington, July 20, 1917.
Number 6931. — Proximal two-thirds of a left tarsometatarsus,
nearly perfect, of some wader (adult). This bone agrees very
closely with the corresponding one, or part of one, belonging to a
skeleton of an adult Egret ( Herodias egretta) in the collections of
FOSSIL BIRDS AT VERO.
41
the United States National Museum. The shaft in the fossil bone
is but very slightly stouter, which may be due to individual variation
or difference in sex. It is quite possible that the fossil bone be¬
longed to the Egret just named, and certainly to a very closely allied
species in the event that it did not. O11 the back of this specimen
number 19 is found, in ink.
Number 6931,19 — . For some reason this specimen is num¬
bered exactly like the last, though it apparently has no relation to it,
beyond, perhaps, having been discovered in the same place and at the
same time. It consists of anterior moiety of the left scapula of an
adult bird of some considerable size. Upon comparison it seems to
very closely approach the corresponding bone, or that part of it,
in the Turkey Vulture ( Cathartes aura septentrionalis) , and pos¬
sibly may have belonged to that species.
Number 6773, 46. This is a right scapula, with the distal part
broken off and lost. Like the two foregoing, it is thoroughly fos¬
silized, and of a chocolate color, of a shade agreeing with the. tarso-
metarsus described above. The individual was adult; the anterior
extremity is somewhat abraded. It differs in not a few particulars
from the last, though it came from a bird about the same size as a
Turkey Buzzard. It is highly pneumatic, and a row of such fora¬
mina are to be seen in a deep transverse groove, seen upon its dorsal
aspect, just within the anterior articular head of the bone. All three
of these specimens should be held till more material is discovered, of
a kind that will throw further light upon them, before final refer¬
ences are made.
42 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
EXPLANATION OF PLATES.
PLATE I.
(Both plates are reproduced from photographs of the actual specimens by
Dr. R. W. Shufeldt. All the figures are natural size.)
Dorsal aspect of the left ulna of Cathartes aura. No. 17872, Coll.
U. S. National Museum.
Dorsal aspect of the left ulna of Cathartes aura (fossil). From
Stratum No. 3, Vero, Fla. (Fla. Geol. Surv., 1916). Pleistocene.
Cat. No. 6783 (2 pieces). Imperfect.
Anconal aspect of the right humerus of Querquedula discors. No.
17704, Coll. U. S. National Museum.
Anconal aspect of the right humerus of Querquedula doridana, sp. n.,v.
Shuf. From Stratum No. 2, Vero, Fla. (Fla. State Geol. Surv., 1916).
Pleistocene. Very nearly perfect. Cat. No. 7550.
(No. 6774). The distal two-thirds of the left tarso-metatarsus (im¬
perfect) of some heron ( Ardea ), larger than Nycticorax n. naevius;
anterior view. Not quite perfect enough for exact reference.
Stratum No. 3, Vero, Fla. Fla. State Geol. Surv., 1916). Pleistocene.
Dorsal aspect of a large, elongate vertebra (9) from the skeleton of
the neck of some sort of a heron; imperfect. Leading section of the
chain. Comes near Herodia egretta. From Stratum No. 3, Vero, Fia.
(Fla. State Geol. Surv., 1916). Pleistocene.
Distal half, anterior view, of the right tibio-tarsus of an adult speci¬
men of Tyto pratincola (fossil). Vero, Florida. No. 6934. (Fla. State
Geol. Surv., 1916). Compare with figure 8 of this plate.
Right tibio-tarsus and fibula of a specimen of Tyto pratincola; anterior
view. Nat. size. (Spec. 19636, Coll. U. S. Nat. Mus.) Compare with
the fossil specimen shown in Fig. 7 of this plate.
Figs. 9 and 10. Vertebrae of some small or average-sized wader (bird). They
are from the posterior region of the neck and nearly perfect. Fig. 9
is seen on ventral view, and Fig. 10 upon dorsal aspect. Vero, Florida,
Pleistocene. (Fla. State Geol. Surv., 1916. Stratum No. 3.)
Fig. 11. From the same lot as the last; same date and Stratum. Distal extrem¬
ity of a right tarso-metatarsus (bird). Not identified. Perfect as far
as it goes. It probably belonged to some sort of an average-sized
wader, perhaps after the heron order, or a near ally. Anterior surface.
Fig. 12. No. 6773 is the lower two-thirds of the right tibio-tai^sus of some
medium-sized water bird ; nearly perfect as far as it goes. Anterior
view. (Orig. Number 57 ?) Vero, Florida. Pleistocene. Stratum
No. 3. (Fla. State Geol. Surv., 1916). It may possibly have
belonged to a gull, somewhat larger than Larus atricilla and in the same
genus. (Compare with No. 19592, Coll. U. S. Nat. Mus., L. atricilla .)
Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5-
Fig. 6.
Fig. 7.
Fig. 8.
FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
NINTH ANNUAL REPORT. PL. I.
VERTEBRATA AT VERO.
43
VERTEBRATA MOSTLY FROM STRATUM NO. 3, AT
VERO, FLORIDA, TOGETHER WITH DESCRIP¬
TIONS OF NEW SPECIES.
By OLIVER P. HAY.
ASSOCIATE OF THE CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON.
The writer has been permitted to study a collection of fossil
vertebrates which Dr. E. H. Sellards, State Geologist of Florida,
and his assistant, Mr. Herman Gunter, and others had made at dif¬
ferent times in the Pleistocene deposits at Vero, Florida. The
fossils noted below, some of which are described at length, were
found in what has come to be known as No. 3, or as the “muck
beck” I11 the following list those species whose names are preceded
by f are extinct :
I. CATALOGUE OF SPECIES.
FISHES.
1. Aetobatis narinari. Spotted sting ray.
A section of a tooth plate.
2. Lepisosteus platystomus. Short-nosed gar pike.
A right dentary and one other bone.
3. Amiatus calvus ( Amia calva of authors). Bowfin.
The left articular and a left dentary with teeth.
4. Caranx hippos. Crevalle.
An inflated bone belonging beneath the clavicle.
5. Caranx sp. indet. ; not C. hippos.
Inflated bones belonging in the median plane and supporting the
fin-rays.
AMPHIBIANS.
6. Amphiuma means. Congo snake.
Three vertebrae examined.
7. Siren lacertina. Siren.
A single vertebra seen.
REPTILES.
8. Caretta caretta. The loggerhead turtle.
A right squamosal bone.
44
FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
9. Chelonia mydas. The green turtle.
A humerus of a young individual.
10. tChelydra sculpta. Extinct snapping turtle.
Seven bones of one individual. Further described below.
11. tTrachemys? nuchocarinata. Extinct terrapin.
One nuchal bone.
12. tPseudemys floridanus persimilis. Extinct subspecies of the Florida
terrapin.
A pair of epiplastrals.
13. tTerrapene innoxia. Small extinct box-tortoise.
Many specimens, including a number of complete carapaces.
14. tTerrapene antipex. Large extinct box-tortoise.
Many specimens, single bones.
15. Gopherus polyphemus. The gopher tortoise.
Nuchal, epiplastral, and both xiphiplastrals ; but probably of different
individuals.
16. Drymarchon corais. ( Georgia couperi, Baird and Girard’s Cat. Rept.
N. Amer., p. 92). Indigo snake.
Several vertebrae.
1 7. Farancia abacura. Red-bellied horn snake.
Articular bone.
18. Crotalus adamanteus. Diamond rattlesnake.
Vertebrae.
19. Alligator mississippiensis. Alligator.
Teeth, fragment of jaw, etc.
MAMMALS.
20. Didelphis virginiana. Opossum.
Many parts of the skeleton. Probably not distinguishable from the
subspecies pigra.
21. tDasypus, sp. indet. Fossil armadillo.
Represented by dermal scutes. Probably an undescribed species.
22. tChlamytherium septentrionalis. Northern giant armadillo.
Besides dermal plates collected in No. 3 by Dr. Sellards, the writer
secured two fine plates which show no signs whatever of transporta¬
tion. They probably belonged to the same animal.
23. tEquus littoralis? Small extinct horse.
Represented by an incisor which, on account of its small size, appears
to belong to this species. Dr. Sellards informs the writer that he
has recently secured from No. 3 one good and complete incisor
tooth of a horse. Its size indicates a horse larger than E, littoralis
and hence belongs probably either to E. complicatus or to E. leidyi.
VERTEBRATA AT VERO.
45
24. tTapirus haysii? Extinct tapir.
A tooth, No. 6g43.
25. tTayassu lenis. Extinct peccar}'.
Various remains of one or more extinct peccaries have been found at
Vero in both deposits, No. 2 and No. 3. Further remarks will be
found below.
26. tBison, sp. indet. Extinct bison.
From No. 3 the writer took- a well preserved penultimate upper pre¬
molar of a bison. It had been considerably worn during the life of
the animal. There is no reason to suppose that it belonged to the
existing species.
27. Odocoileus osceola? Florida deer.
Various bones which seem to have belonged to a deer about as large as
Odocoileus virginianus are referred provisionally to O. osceola.
They belong possibly all to the next species.
28. tOdocoileus sellardsise, new species. Extinct Florida deer. This species
is described below.
29. tMammut americanum. American mastodon.
Fragments of bones which probably belong to this species are common
in No. 3. In the collection studied, there is a large fragment of a
tooth.
30. tElephas columbi. Columbian elephant.
In the collection are four fragments of teeth.
31. Oryzomys palustris? Rice-field mouse.
A left ramus of the lower jaw, having the number 6773, is regarded as
belonging most probably to this species.
32. Sigmodon hispidus. Cotton rat.
There are several jaws of a Sigmodon which does not appear to differ
from the one here named.
33. Neotoma floridana. Florida wood rat.
A right ramus of the lower jaw shows no important differences when
compared with jaws of the existing form in Florida. The teeth
are missing.
34. Neofiber alleni. Allen’s muskrat.
Several jaws and one nearly complete skull of this species are in
the collection.
35. Sylvilagus palustris. Marsh rabbit.
The rabbit materials collected in No. 3 appear to belong to this species.
The writer has a left mandibular ramus with teeth from this
stratum.
36. Scalopus aquaticus australis. Southern mole .
This species is represented by a lower jaw.
46 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
37. Ursus floridanus. Florida bear.
There are present a lower right first molar and a lower right third
molar which do not appear to differ from the corresponding teeth
of the existing Florida bear. Possibly better materials might
reveal differences.
38. Procyon lotor. Raccoon.
There is in the collection examined a right maxilla and some limb bones
which appear to belong to this species.
39. Lutra canadensis. Otter.
Represented by a femur.
40. tVulpes palmaria, new species. Extinct fox.
This fox is described below.
41. tCanis riviveronis, new species. Extinct coyote.
This new coyote is described below.
42. tCanis sp. indet. Extinct dog.
A small heavily built dog is represented in No. 3 by a humerus and a
radius. Further remarks on it will be found below.
43. Lynx ruffus floridanus. Florida lynx.
Represented by a tibia and a lower jaw. Further described below.
II. DESCRIPTIONS OF CERTAIN SPECIES.
CHELYDRA SCULPTA HAY.
Plate 3. Fig. 1.
From the stratum designated by Sellards as No. 3, there have
been sent to the writer seven bones of a Chelydra, which is to be
referred to C. sculpta (8th Ann. Rep. Fla. Geol. Surv., p. 73). It
is evident that all of these bones belonged to the same individual.
The nearly complete nuchal and the right and left first costal plates
are present and the latter fit the nuchal accurately. The second
left costal joins accurately the costal in front. The fourth and the
fifth right costals are present, and on the left is the fifth costal, with
its proximal end missing.
All of the costals were in life connected with the peripheral
bones, the jagged suture passing in most cases across the upper sur¬
face of the end of the rib. In a specimen of C. serpentina , whose
warped carapace had been about 240 mm. long the first costal is
sutured to the peripherals except over the rib. The others, except
the seventh and eighth and a little of the hinder border of the sec¬
ond, are widely removed from the peripherals; and the ribs, whose
VERTEBRATA AT VERO.
47
ends of course are inserted into the peripherals, are for considerable
distances left uncovered by the bone of the costal plate. In the
fossil the costal plates hide the upper surfaces of the rib down to
the edges of the peripherals.
The nuchal of the fossil differs in a conspicuous manner from
that of the recent C. serpentina. In the latter there is on each side
a slender process which runs along the inner border and inferior
face of the anterior peripherals, reaching the hinder end of the
second peripheral. In the fossil species this process is very short,
as shown in figure I of plate 3. On the left side of the bone this
process is broken off ; on the right it is complete. The nuchal had
an extreme width of 70 mm. ; a length of 20 mm. in the midline.
The nuchal scute had a length of 6 mm. and a width of 24 mm.
The width of the first vertebral scute was 52 mm. ; its length on the
midline, 38 mm.
The first costal plate has an extreme width, fore and aft, of
34 mm. ; a length of 64 mm., not including the distal end of the rib.
The free proximal part of the rib has about the same size as in
C. serpentina , but there is in the fossil a considerably larger angle
between it and the proximal part of the costal plate. This differ¬
ence in the direction taken by the free part of the rib is conspicuous
in all of the costal plates.
TRACHEMYS? NUCHOCARINATA HAY.
This species was first recognized (8th Ann. Rep. Fla. Geol.
Surv. p. 70, pi. VI., fig. 5) from a portion of a nuchal bone which
had been found in Pleistocene deposits at Station 120, on the Inland
Waterway canal, about 20 miles north of St. Augustine. A nuchal
bone found in No. 3 at Vero evidently belongs to the same, species.
Its catalog No. is 7011. It is complete and shows no signs of
transportation. It is considerably smaller than the type, the length
on the midline being only 29 mm., the greatest width 35 mm.; the
width on the front border 14 mm. The first vertebral scute area is
23 mm. wide and is ornamented by the ridges produced by the
growth of the horny scute. There is a prominent median keel.
Another nuchal No. 7573 was found in stratum No. 2. In size
it is intermediate between the type specimen and the one described
above. The bone is complete, and without abrasion of any kind.
The total length in the midline is 39 mm. ; the total width, 42 mm. ;
the width of the front border, 22 mm. ; the width of the first verte-
48 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
bral scute, in front, 39 mm. The nuchal scute area is not as narrow
as it is in the. type and not as wide above (5mm.) as it is 011 the
underside of the bone (6 mm.). The area of the first vertebral
scute is marked by strong lines of growth.
FARANCIA ABACURA (HOLBROOK).
In the collection made by Dr. Sellards in stratum No. 3, at Vero,
is the articular bone of a snake which seems to have belonged to
this species. The bone has a length of 41 mm., but a small piece
is broken from the front end. It has been compared with an artic¬
ular of a skull which belongs to Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, and which, as
he reports, he took from a Farancia 6 feet and 3 inches long, found
near New Orleans. This bone is 44 mm. long. Three other bones,
considerably smaller, belonging to the National Museum, have been
used for comparison.
In the New Orleans specimen the two plates which enclose the
insertion of the masseter muscle are of equal height, 7 mm. In all
the other bones, including the fossil, the outer plate is much lower.
In the fossil the inner plate is 8 mm. high. While the fossil presents
some peculiarities, they are probably due to individual variation.
The snake which possessed this bone was probably about 6 feet long.
The lower jaw of Abastor is similar to that of Farancia, but the
dentary extends backward only a short distance behind the front of
the articular; while in Farancia the dentary, with teeth, is carried
back more than half-way to the groove for the masseter muscle.
TAYASSU LENIS (LEIDY).
Plate 3- Figs. 2, 3.
While at Vero, November 1, 1916, the writer found in the
stratum of sand, No. 2, 460 feet west of the railroad bridge, a finely
preserved upper left hindermost molar of a small peccary. An
examination of this seems to show that it belongs to T ay assn lenis,
originally described and figured by Leidy (Holmes Post-pliocene
Foss. S. Car., p. 108, pi. XVII, figs. 13, 14) as Dicotyles fossilis.
In 1869 (Ext. Mamm. N. A. p. 389) Leidy narrie.d this D. lenis. It
is now referred to the genus Tayassu.
The length of the crown of the molar (pi. 3, fig. 2) found at
Vero is 14.8 mm.; the width in front is 10.2 mm. The tooth is
VERTEBRATA AT VERO.
49
remarkable for its simplicity of construction. Besides the four
principal cones there is a heel consisting of two minute tubercles.
No other tubercles appear anywhere. A faintly developed ridge
descends from the summit of the metacone and meets a similar
hardly perceptible ridge which descends from the summit of the
protocone. There is no cingulum. A slight ridge descends from
the paracone to the front of the base of the protocone.
Mr. I. M. Weills, of Vero, sent the writer a small collection of
fossils which were found along the drainage canal at Vero. Among
these was a remarkably small upper left canine (pi. 3, fig. 3) of a
peccary. This also the writer refers to T. lenis. It was found
near the top of No. 2. The front border is worn away from whet¬
ting against the lower canine. Its original height cannot be deter¬
mined. Root and crown together now are 26 mm. high ; the crown
itself, 14 mm. The fore and aft diameter of the base of the crown
is 7.2 mm.; the thickness, 5.2 mm. On the abraded surface the
pulp cavity is exposed. A second upper left canine, from stratum
No. 3, catalogue No. 6944, is much less worn on the front edge.
The root and crown together measure 32 mm. ; the crown above,
13 mm. The fore-and-aft diameter at the base of the. crown is
7 mm. The thickness is 5 mm. These teeth are very small when
compared with those of the existing pecaries.
On the page just cited of the Extinct Mammalia, Leidy referred
to a remarkably small canine tooth of a peccary which Cope had
originally described as Cynorca proterva. This canine had a .fore-
and-aft diameter of 9.4 mm. and a thickness of a little more than
6 mm. It thus resembled the canine found at Vero.
One of the two teeth of Tayassu lenis originally figured by
Leidy was a lower molar, probably a second. It measured 7 by
5.75 lines; that is 14.6 mm. by 12 mm. In two existing peccaries
measured the length of the second lower molar is almost exactly
that of the uppermost hinder molar. In one of them the width of
the second lower molar is somewhat less than that of the upper
hindermost; in the other it is greater. It is seen from the above
measurements that the length of the Vero tooth is almost the same
as that of the second lower molar described by Leidy. The width
of the Vero last molar is less than in Leidy’s second molar. The
lower hindermost molar which Leidy described had a length of
about 17 mm.
50 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
Leidy mentions especially the simplicity of structure of the
molars in his possession.
In No. 3 this species appears to be represented by the distal end
of a tibia, No. 6737. This bone is much smaller than the corre¬
sponding bone of the existing peccary. The side-to-side diameter
is only 14 mm. In the same stratum there has been found a peccary
canine which appears to be entirely too large to have belonged to
T. lenis, in case the small canine has been properly referred.
ODOCOILEUS SELLARDSIAE, NEW SPECIES.
Plate 3- Fig. 4.
Type specimen. — A fifth cervical vertebra, not water-worn, but
lacking, through fractures, the right diapophysis and the borders of
some of the other processes. No. 7923 of the Florida Geological
Survey.
Type locality. — Vero, Florida.
Type formation. — Stratum No. 3 of the Pleistocene deposits at
Yero.
Diagnosis. — Diapophysis entirely separated from the para-
pophysis of its side; its base short, on a level with, and wholly in
front of, the hinder opening of the vertebraterial canal.
This species is named in honor of Mrs. Anna Mary Sellards,
wife of the present State Geologist of Florida.
In the collection of the Florida Geological. Survey is a fifth
cervical vertebra (No. 7923), which was found in stratum No. 3,
the “muck bed,” at Vero. The exact locality (Station 19) was on
the south side of the canal and extended from 460 to 470 feet west
of the railroad bridge. This is where the second lot of human
bones was found. On comparing this bone with the corresponding
one of Odocoileus virginianus, O. hemionus (pi. 3, fig. 5) and
O. osceola, it is seen to differ from all of them. In all of the species
just named the diapophysis is more or less closely connected with
the parapophysis, has a long base, and is situated below the verte-
.brarterial canal. In 0. sellar dsiae the diapophysis is separated
from the parapophysis, has a short base, is on a level with the canal
mentioned, and is in front of it. In short, it has the same position
that this process has in the sixth vertebra. Otherwise the vertebra
resembles the fifth in the other species. The length of the body of the
-vertebra, measured from the centers of the front and rear articula-
VERTEBRATA AT VERO.
51
tory surfaces, is 42 mm. In a buck of 0. virginianus at hand the
corresponding length is 50 mm.
From the locality just mentioned there have been secured 50
deer bones representing at least three individuals. Among these
bones are an axis; a first dorsal vertebra; two second dorsals, of
which one fits closely the first dorsal present; a badly preserved,
more posteriorly situated, dorsal ; three lumbars, the third, fourth
and fifth, which connect as well as in a recent skeleton; the complete
sacrum; three innominate bones, two of which undoubtedly belong
with the sacrum; and other bones, some of which will be mentioned
later. It is necessary to compare these with corresponding bones
of other deer. The centrum of the second dorsal lacks the hinder
epiphysis; the corresponding one of 0. virginianus retains it, but
shows the suture. The two centra had almost exactly the same
length. The rear of that of the Virginia deer, taken across the
surfaces for the ribs, is 32 mm. wide; that of the fossil, 35 mm.
The extreme width of the bones is almost exactly the same. The
spine of the fossil vertebra is somewhat higher, but it is narrower
from front to rear than the other. The surface for the tuberculum
of the rib extends backward in the fossil farther than in the existing
deer. The horizontal diameter of the spinal canal is considerably
larger in the existing deer (18 mm.) than in the fossil (16 mm.).
In a young 0. osceola the diameter is 17 mm.
The hinder epiphysis of the fossil second vertebra is gone; but
the length was that of the same vertebra of 0. virginianus used
for comparison. The width of the hinder end of the centrum of
the fossil was apparently a little less than that of the existing deer.
The extreme width across the transverse processes in the fossil is
44 mm. ; in the existing deer, 56 mm. In the fossil the surface for
the tuberculum of the rib extends backward considerably behind the
notch for the exit of the spinal nerve; while in 0. virginianus it
stops well in front of the notch. In 0. osceola the process reaches
nearly to a perpendicular from the notch.
The three lumbars of the fossil, Nos. 7000, 7765, and 7766,
have the length only slightly less than that of the same bones in
0. virginianus. The width across the processes supporting the
anterior zygapophysis of the third lumbars is 29 mm. ; in 0. virgin¬
ianus, 31 mm. The distance across the postzygapophysis in the
fossil is 23 mm.; in the other deer, 26 mm. The transverse pro¬
cesses of the fossil vertebrae are missing, but evidently they were
5
52 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY— NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
not so broad as in the deer they were compared with. In the cases
of the fourth and fifth lumbars only unimportant differences are
seen on comparison with the corresponding bones of the Virginian
deer. The processes are, however, all of slenderer build in the
fossil. The transverse processes of the fifth are preserved, except
the extremities. They are slenderer even than those of the sixth
lumbar of O. virginianus and they are directed outward and but
little forward.
On the two hinder dorsal vertebrae and on the lumbars of the
deer found at Vero there is a structure which appears in none of
the existing deer at hand, except the specimen which has here been
used for comparison, No. 199510, of the U. S. National Museum.
Usually the prezygapophysis bends inward like a hook and clasps
the postzygapophysis of the vertebra in front. In the case of the
fossil, a process on each side, mesiad of the hinder zygapophysial
articulation, grows up and, bending outward, overlaps the hook
mentioned/producing an articular surface on the end of the latter.
The vertebrae are thus more firmly interlocked. On plate 3, figure
6, there is presented a view of the hinder end of the third lumbar.
This arrangement is found well developed on the eleventh dorsal,
No. 7591, found on the north side of the canal, 100 feet west of the
railroad track, and on all of the lumbars; for the anterior zyga-
pophyses of the first vertebra of the sacrum have, each a smooth
surface above. The extra process is weakly developed or missing
in only rare cases. In the specimen of 0. virginianus mentioned the
same structure appears on the eleventh dorsal and continues on the
lumbars, disappearing on the fourth. From the materials at hand
it is judged that the arrangement described was more strongly
developed than in the existing kinds of deer. It is, however,
observed in some other artiodactyls and possibly has no great signi¬
ficance in the Florida fossil deer.
Among the 50 bones , mentioned is a finely preserved sacrum
which may well have belonged to the same individual deer as did
the three lumbar vertebrae described above. The length of the
bone in a straight line is 97 mm., while that of a buck of 0. virgin¬
ianus is 1 12 mm. The width across the front is 78 mm.; that in
the buck mentioned, 94 mm. The sacrum of 0. virginianus is thus
relatively somewhat broader. Also the distance across the prezy-
gapophysial articulation is relatively considerably greater, being 43
per cent, of the length of the sacrum, while in 0. sellar dsiae it is only
VERTEBRATA AT VERO.
53
33 per cent. The length of the zygapophysial surfaces on the
front of the sacrum is nearly twice as great as in the buck men¬
tioned.
Found at the same spot is the practically complete left innomi¬
nate bone which belonged with the sacrum. The one of the right
side is present, but lacks the part behind the acetabulum. Both
bones make accurate contact with the sacrum. The presence of all
the bones of this pelvis is of interest because it indicates that they
had not been washed in from some other place after a previous
burial. In a small collection made for the writer by Mr. Isaac M.
Weills there is a part of the first sacral vertebra, which is recorded
as having been found 8 inches below the upper surface of stratum
No. 2. The peculiar articulatory surface on the upper face of the
prezygapophysis is somewhat more strongly developed than in the
sacrum described above.
From No. 3 there are present an atlas (No. 7591), an axis
(No. 7039), a sixth cervical (No. 7591), an eleventh dorsal (No.
7591), and the right ramus of a lower jaw (No. 7039) containing
well-worn teeth. These were found near one another on the north
side of the canal, 100 feet north of the railroad bridge. At least
the atlas and the axis belonged to one individual. They point to a
deer larger than 0. sellardsiae ; but common parts for comparison
are wanting. The atlas, axis, and sixth cervical do not show any
characters that separate them with certainty from O. virginianus;
and they indicate a deer fully as large as this species. For the
present they may be referred to 0. osceola. The body of the
eleventh dorsal is 3 mm. longer than that of the buck of the Virgin¬
ian deer mentioned. The postzygapophyses have the same modifica¬
tion as has been described in the case of the lumbars which are
referred to 0. sellardsiae.
With difficulty Doctor Sellards secured, through Isaac M.
Weills, most of the vertebrae and the pelvis of the existing Florida
deer, 0. osceola , for comparison with the fossil deer and with
0. virginianus. 0. osceola is certainly distinct from O. sellardsiae.
Unfortunately the skeleton of O. osceola is that of a young female
and one cannot be sure that the many differences found between it
and such skeletons of 0. virginianus as are at hand are not due to
immaturity or to sex.
In the, collection sent by Dr. Sellards are the proximal ends
of two scapulae from No. 3. They have the catalogue numbers
54 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
7009 and 7764. They differ slightly in size, but neither has the
neck of the bone as narrow as that of the specimen found by Sel-
lards from stratum No. 2 (8th Ann. Rep. Fla. Geol. Surv. pi.
XXVII, fig. 1).
Three complete humeri were found among the 50 bones men¬
tioned, but they belonged to as many individuals. No constant
differences appear on comparing them with humeri of 0. virgin -
ianns. There are also the proximal end of another humerus from
the station just mentioned and the distal ends of three from other
stations.
From station 19 there come two radii, a right and a left, which
must have belonged to the same rather young deer. The size is the
same, each has lost the distal epiphysis, and curiously enough each
has, on the inner face near the distal end, a hole about 10 mm. by
17 mm. How these holes have been made the writer does not
know. One of these bones, the left, is here compared with the
corresponding bone of O. virginianus.
MEASUREMENTS OF RADII IN MILLIMETERS.
O. virgin-
No. 6999 ianus
Distance along inner border from surface for humerus to
epiphysial suture _ 178 194
Total length on the inner (anterior) border (fossil estimated) 193 211
Greatest width at upper end _ 35 39
Greatest diameter at middle of length _ _ — 19.5 25
Shorest diameter at middle of length - 13 15
Greatest diameter at epiphysial suture _ 27 34
It will be observed that the fossil radius has relatively to the
length a considerably slenderer shaft. No other differences are
noted. The fragments of two or three ulnae present no peculiar
features.
There have been found in No. 3 one complete right front cannon
bone, No. 6764, and the distal halves of two others. The complete
one is here compared with the same bone of 0. virginianus.
MEASUREMENTS OF ANTERIOR CANNON BONES IN MILLIMETERS.
O. virgin-
No. 6764 ianus
Total length - 194 204
Width across upper end _ 26 30
Fore-and-aft diameter at midlength - 16 17
Side-to-side diameter at midlength _ 15 18
Diameter across lower articulatory surface - 2 7 31
VERTEBRATA AT VERO.
55
It will be seen that the fossil bone is relatively slenderer than
that of the existing deer. Possibly the fossil bone was that of a doe.
Another bone, No. 7766, is that of an adult, but it is much
smaller than the bone just described. The fore-and-aft diameter
at the middle of the length is 14 mm.; the side-to-side diameter,
13 mm.; the width across the lower articulation, 25 mm.
The bones of one pelvis have already been described. There is
among the lot from station 19 a considerable part of the ischial
portion of the right innominatum, which may belong with the one
above described; but some bone is missing and contact is made
impossible. From the same locality is another quite complete left
innominatum.
The writer has seen only one complete femur of a deer from
Vero, No. 5896; from stratum No. 3, north bank, east of the bridge.
It appears to present no peculiar features ; neither do the fragments
of the other femora.
Several tibiae are represented by the distal end of the bones, but
they show nothing distinctive. The same remark applies to the
various bones present of the front and hinder feet.
There are present from No. 3 a beautifully preserved left hinder
cannon bone, No. 6767, and the proximal end of one of the right
side. Besides these, there has been sent one of the. right side, No.
5195, whose stratum is not known and which lacks the epiphysis.
As this and No. 6767 show some differences in proportions their
measurements are here given, together with those of the same bone
of O. virginianus.
MEASUREMENTS OF HINDER CANNON BONES IN MILLIMETERS.
*
Length to suture for epiphysis _
No. 6767
212
No. 5195
225
O. virgin¬
ianus
210
Total length (5195 estimated)
230
244
231
Width of upper articulatory surface
- — 25
22
26.5
Fore-and-aft diameter at middle of length
20.5
18
19
Side-to-side diameter at middle of length
16
15
16.8
Width at suture for epiphysis
- - 29
. 27
30
Width of distal articulatory surfaces
29
271
3i
It will be observed that No. 5195 is a longer bone than either of
the others, but all the transverse measurements are less. The fore-
and-aft diameter at middle of the length in 5195 is but little more
56 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY— NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
than 7 per cent, of the total length, while in the other bones it is
about 9 per cent. Just what this means cannot now be determined.
The measurements of the other two bones are not greatly different
All of the fossil hinder cannon bones differ from those of 0. virgin-
ianus in having the outer of the two ridges which bound the hinder
groove more prominent than the inner one.
There are in the collection from station 19 a part of a right
premaxilla containing the three premolars and a part of a left max¬
illa containing the three molars. Both have the numbers 6952.
The molar teeth are somewhat more worn than the premolars, so
that we must conclude that the two bones did not belong to the
same individual. There is also a left ramus of a lower jaw, No.
7765, nearly complete and containing all of the teeth. To the
molars of this jaw the molars of the fragment of maxilla fit accu¬
rately. Both must have belonged to one individual. A comparison
of these with jaws and teeth of 0 do coileus virginicmus and of 0.
osceola yield to the observer no differences that seem to be constant.
The following measurements of the teeth are furnished for future
comparisons. The measurements of the teeth of a second complete
left ramus, No. 6951, found at this same place, are included.
MEASUREMENTS OF TEETH IN MILLIMETERS.
Upper Teeth Lower Teeth
No. 6952 No. 7765 No. 6951
Length of line of premolars — 1 - 36 34 30
Length of line of molars - 44-5 4& 51
Length of pm2 _ 12 10 8
Width of pm2 - - 11.2 5.3 5.2
Length of pm3 - - - 11.2 11.5 10
Width of pm3 - - — 12 7 6.8
Length of pnH _ 11 12 11.1
Width of pm4 - - - 13 8.2 7.6
Length of mi - 13 12 14
Width of mi _ 13-5 10 9
Length of m2 - 15 14 15 -5
Width of m2 _ _ _ 16 10 10
Length of m3 _ 15 20 21
Width of m3 - - - 16 10 10
Besides the differences shown in the measurements of the teeth
of Nos. 7765 and 6951, the space between the rear of the symphysis
and the front of the tooth row in the former is only 27 mm. long;
VERTEBRATA AT VERO.
57
while in No. 6951 it is 38 mm. In the first, the bone is 9 mm.
thick; in the latter, only 7 mm. As to the meaning of these differ¬
ences nothing at present can be said.
A left ramus No. 7039, was found with the large cervicals 7039
and 7591- The tooth row has the same length as No. 6951. The
distance of the symphysis is slightly greater than in 6951.
Among the deer bones collected in the “muck bed” at Vero are
some which belonged to adult animals and are much smaller than
the corresponding bones of other individuals. It is probable that
these belonged to small animals, most likely does, but there is a
possibility that they represent a distinct species.
VULPES PALMARIA, NEW SPECIES.
Vulpes Pennsylvania is? Sellards, E. H., 1916, Science, n. s. Vol. XLIV.,
p. 617; Jour. Geology, Vol. XXV., p. 17; 8th Ann. Rep. Fla. Geol. Surv., pp. 132,
152, 158, pi. XXX., fig. 4.
Type specimen . — A part of the right ramus of the lower jaw,
containing the third and fourth premolars and a part of the socket
for the canine. The first and second premolars had disappeared
early in life. No. 6738 of the collection of the Florida Geological
Survey.
Type locality. — Vero, Florida.
Type formation. — Stratum No. 3 of the Pleistocene deposit at
Vero.
Diagnosis. — Talon of lower fourth premolar narrower than the
body of the tooth. Third premolar without a cusp behind the
principal one. Lower jaw thicker and heavier than in Vulpes fulva.
The writer has carefully compared the type jaw of this fox
with that of various specimens of the red fox (V. fulva) and has
concluded that it does not belong, as Sellards thought it possibly
did, to this existing species, but to one hitherto undescribed. In
the following table various measurements are presented, taken from
the jaw found at Vero; and the corresponding ones of a red fox
from Clarke county, Virginia, and of F macro ur a from Montana.
58 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY— NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
MEASUREMENTS OF LOWER JAWS AND TEETH IN MILLIMETERS.
V. palmaria
V. fulva
V. macroura
Type
No. 810
No. 67384
Length from rear pm4 to rear canine
40.0
38.0
42.0
Height of jaw at rear of pm4_
18.0
13.5
14.0
Thickness of jaw at rear of pm4
. _ 7-2
6.0
7.0
Height of jaw at front of pm3
14.0
11. 4
13-0
Thickness of jaw at front of pm3
- 7.0
6.0
6.0
Length of pm3
- 9.1
9.0
10. 0
Width of pm3 _
- 3-5
3-2
3-4
Length of pm4
10.4
9.6
10. 0
Width of pm4
4-3
4.1
4.0
Side-to-side diameter of socket of canine _
_____ 6.5
5.1
_
The skulls numbered 810 and 67384 are in the U. S. National
Museum.
That the fossil jaw belonged to a fox and not to a coyote is
shown from the following considerations: 1. On the inner side
of the talon of pm4 there is in the coyotes a well-developed basin
which involves the hinder border of the principal cusp. In the red
fox this is much less strongly developed. In the fossil it is little
developed; so little that the talon, instead of being as wide as or
wider than the base of the principal cusp, is narrower. The corre¬
sponding part of pm3 resembles that of the. fox much more than
that of the coyote. 2. In the coyote there is almost always a well-
developed cusp behind the main one in the third premolar. In the
fox this is sometimes distinct; but is usually small and more often
wholly wanting. In the fossil it is altogether wanting.
A comparison of the measurements given shows clearly that the
lower jaw of V. palmaria was much heavier than that of V. fulva.
In the former the height at the rear of the fourth premolar is 45
per cent, of the distance from the rear of the canine to the rear of
pm4 ; while in the specimen of F. fulva it is only 34 per cent. In
thickness the percentages are respectively 18 and 15.8. In the
fossil the length of the third premolar is relatively slightly less than
in V. fulva, the percentages being respectively 22.7 and 23. On the
other hand the fourth premolar of the fossil is slightly longer, the
percentages being 26 and 25.2.
From a cave at Port Kennedy, Pennsylvania, Cope ( Jour. Acad.
Nat. Sci., Phila., Vol. II, 1899, p. 228, pi. XVIII, figs. 4, 4a)
described a fox which he called Vulpes latidentatus . This was
VERTEBRATA AT VERO.
59
based on a first upper molar. This molar differed from that of the
red fox in its proportions, the transverse diameter of the two being
the same, but the anteroposterior diameter of the fossil tooth exceed¬
ing that of the red fox. Inasmuch as an upper tooth only of the
Port Kennedy animal is known and lower teeth only of the one from
Florida, it is not practicable to make a close comparison between
them.
C'ANIS RIVIVERONIS, NEW SPECIES.
Canis latrans? Sellards, E. H., 1916, Science n. s., Vol. XLIV., p. 17;
Jour. Geology, Vol. XXV., p. 617; 8th Ann. Rep. Fla. Geol. Surv., pp. 157, 158,
pi. XXVIII., fig. 2; text-fig. 15.
Type specimen. — A part of a right maxilla, No. 7036 of the
collection of the Florida Geological Survey, containing the fourth
premolar and the sockets of the third premolar and of both molars.
Type locality. — Vero, Florida.
Type formation.— Stratum No. 3 of the Pleistocene deposit at
Vero, Florida.
Diagnosis. — Third upper premolar in a line with the fourth.
The fourth relatively short; its anterior inner cusp prominent.
Molars broad.
This maxilla certainly represents a coyote, but not C. latrans.
Nor is it that of an Indian dog or one of the larger wolves. The
prominence of the anterior inner cusp of the carnassial tooth puts
the animal with the coyotes and removes it from the domestic dogs
and large wolves. In the specimen from Florida, as in the coyotes,
the third premolar is in a line with the fourth ; while in the dogs and
in Canis occidentalism in nearly every case, the third premolar makes
an angle with the fourth. This is owing to the fact that in the
domestic dogs and the large wolves the width of the jaws decreases
rapidly to the front of pm4 and then begins to narrow less rapidly.
In the coyotes the change is made in front of pm3.
This fossil differs from the near relatives of C. latrans in having
the anterior lobe of the carnassial relatively shorter. The meas¬
urement is made from the front of the tooth to the bottom of the
notch behind the main cusp. In the fossil this forms 61 per cent,
of the length of the tooth. In four specimens of the existing
coyotes this was 63.1; 62.8; 63.1; 64 per cent. However in the
specimen of C. latrans of the following table, No. 38462 of the
60 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
U. S. National Museum, the ratio of the length of the anterior lobe
to the length of the tooth is slightly less than the fossil. In
three specimens of C. occidentalis the percentages were 70.9; 66.6;
64.5. In four Indian dogs they were 63.8; 62.5 ; 62.1 ; 65.6.
In this fossil the transverse extent of the sockets for both the
first and the second molars is greater relatively to the first measure¬
ment in the succeeding table than in nearly every specimen of
coyote, wolf, and domestic dog. Here again the fossil approaches
C. latrans No. 38462 more closely than it does any of the others,
being in the fossil 39.5 to 100; in C. latrans , 37.7 to 100. The
teeth themselves must have been somewhat broader than in the
existing species examined. On the other hand, the inner root of
pm4 is narrower fore-and-aft than in any of the recent skulls exam¬
ined.
The following measurements are presented :
MEASUREMENTS OF TEETH OF COYOTES.
Distance from front of
socket for pm3 to rear
7036
Fossil
216723
Wyoming
155597
Arizona
59896
Arizona
38462
Minnesota
of socket for m1 -
40.0
44-5
42.0
37-0
45-0
Length of pm4
18.0
21.5
20.0
18.0
21.5
Width of pm4 at front —
9.0
9.4
10. 0
8.2
10. 0
Width across main cusp
Fore - and - aft distance
across outer sockets
7.8
7-5
7.2
5-8
8.6
of m1 _
Fore-and-aft diameter of
10. 0
12.0
11 .0
9.6
13.0
inner socket of m1 -
Distance from inner to
outer side of socket
5-o
7-5
7.0
7.0
7.0
of m1 _ _ _
From front to rear of
15.8
16.0
13-5
12.5
17.0
sockets for pm3
11 .0
12.0
11 .2
10. 0
12.0
In general the carnassial of the Florida specimen is shorter in
relation to the. length of the two hinder premolars and the two
molars and at the same time thicker than in the other skulls exam¬
ined; but in the Arizona coyote, No. 155597, the width in front is
relatively the same, being one-half of the length of the tooth.
The carnassial of the fossil has been compared with that of two
domestic dogs Nos. 216646 and 216651 of the National Museum.
VERTEBRATA AT VERO. 6 1
MEASUREMENTS OF CARNASSIALS OF C. RIVIVERONIS AND OF TWO
DOMESTIC DOGS.
Length of pm4 - _ _
7036
18.0
216646
16.6
216651
17.0
Width in front
9.0
. 8.5
9.0
Width at middle -
6.2
6.4
6.1
Percentage of width at middle to length of tooth
34-4
38.5
39-9
Width across rear lobe ____ _
6.1
6.2
6.0
In the collection made in No. 3, at Vero, is a part of a humerus
which has the catalogue number 6798. The total length of the
fragment is 62 mm. Above, it begins on the deltoid ridge. It is
referred provisionally to Canis riviveronis.
MEASUREMENTS OF HUMERI IN MILLIMETERS.
Fossil Coyote Red Fox
6798 F. G. S. 1326 U. S. N. M. 7550 U. S. N. M.
Fore-and-aft diameter at lower end
of flattened part of deltoid ridge -
14.2
15
10. 1
Width at level above named
9
9*5
7
Fore-and-aft diameter at lower end
of- fragment and at corresponding
place in the other species-- _
10.4
11. 2
7-8
Side-to-side diameter at place indi¬
cated above
9
10
7
It will be seen that the fragment of fossil humerus resembles in
size more that of the coyote than it does that of the red fox ( Vulpes
falva). The fragment is more compressed at the lower part of the
shaft than is that of the fox and less than that of the coyote. This
bone seems to belong to a coyote, probably Canis riviveronis.
In the collection is the shaft of a left femur, No. 6796, from
No. 3. The head and the greater trochanter are broken off; also
the condyles.
It is here compared with the same bone of the red fox No, 7550
U. S. National Museum, and with that of a coyote No. 1326 of the
same museum.
62 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
MEASUREMENTS OF FEMORA IN MILLIMETERS.
Fossil
Red Fo:
x Coyote
6796
7550
1326
Length of shaft __
117.0
96.0
120.0
Total length of femora (6796 estimated)
161 .0
132.0
166.0
Greatest diameter just below lesser trochanter
12.0
13.0
17.0
Least diameter just below lesser trochanter _
8.0
9.0
12.0
Greatest diameter at middle of shaft _
10.5
9.0
12.2
Least diameter at middle of shaft _
8.2
7.2
10. 0
Side-to-side diameter at lower epiphysial suture
12.0
12.0
15.0
Fore-and-aft diameter at lower epiphysial suture
11 .0
11. 0
13-5
The fossil femur was larger than
that of
the red
fox; also
straighter and more flattened anteroposteriorly.
The same differ-
cnees in form are seen on comparison with the femur of the coyote.
In the fossil femur the outer border is not so sharp as in the reel
fox, while the inner border of the lower half is flatter. The shaft
is more compressed than in either the red fox or the coyote. The
bone is referred provisionally to Canis riviveronis.
Doctor Sellar ds has written that the fragment of humerus was
found in No. 3, 475 feet west of the railroad bridge. The femur
was found the same day 5 feet nearer the bridge in the same deposit.
The jaw forming the type of C. riviveronis was found on the north
bank 450 feet from the bridge.
CANIS, SPECIES UNDETERMINED.
From stratum No. 3, at Vero, Sellards (8th Ann. Rep. Fla.
Geol. Surv., p. 157, pi. XXVIII., figs. 7, 8) described and figured
a humerus and a radius of a dog; and these he referred with doubt
to Canis latrans. Both bones were found 450 feet west of the rail¬
road bridge. One might therefore suppose that they had belonged
to the same individual dog; but the radius seems to be too short for
this. Herewith is presented a table in which corresponding meas¬
urements of the humeri of the fossil dog, of a domestic dog, of a
coyote, and of a red fox, are given.
VERTEBRATA AT VERO.
63
MEASUREMENTS OF HUMERI OF CANIDAE.
Fossil
Dog
Coyote
Red Fox
6735
21989
1326
21158
Total length
Length from head to distal end of outer
132
134
153
ii 7
condyle
129
130
151
US
From front of bone to rear of head _
Fore-and-aft diameter at middle of total
34
36
34
23.5
length
14.8
15
12
8
Side-to-side diameter at mid-length _
10.5
13
10
7
Greatest distance across epicondyles -
26.5
3i
28
18
Width lower articular surface
18.5
19.2
19
11
The bone numbered 21989 is that of a domestic dog whose skull
had a vertex length of 170 mm. and a width of 115 mm. across the
zygomatic arches. No. 1326 is a bone of a coyote found in Neb¬
raska. The fox is from Brownville, Maine.
It will be seen that the fossil humerus resembles that of the dog
more closely than that of either the coyote or the fox; but the
anteroposterior distance through the head is a little less in the fossil
than in the dog and the shaft is more compressed, the side-to-side
diameter being 8 per cent, of the total length ; while in the dog this
diameter is 10 per cent, of the length. The distal end of the bone
is also narrower than in the dog. The inner epicondyle of the
fossil is less developed and is flatter than in the dog.
A reference to the table shows that the humerus in question
cannot have belonged to an animal at all like the red fox; nor to
the fox Vulpes palmaria, which was about the size of V. fulva; nor
to Canis riviveronis , which we may suppose from its jaw and teeth
to have had the size of a coyote. It seems evident that there is in
No. 3 a small heavy-set dog which is not known from skull remains.
The naming of it may be deferred until better material has been
secured.
The radius just mentioned is here compared with the same bone
of the domestic dog and that of the coyote.
64 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY— NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
MEASUREMENTS OF RADII OF CANIDAE.
Fossil.
Dog U. S. N. Mus.
Coyote.
6736
21989
1326
Total length of bone _ _ _
113
137
155
Greatest width near upper end
- 14.3
15
16. 1
Thickness at right angles to above
- 9.1
11
11 . 1
Greater diameter at middle of length
11
■ 12
12.5
Diameter at right angles to above _
_ 6
7-5
7
Greater diameter at distal end
19
20
22
Diameter at right angles to above-- -
10
11 -5
12
The fossil radius belonged to a canine animal whose foreleg
was probably nearly three-fourths as long as that of the coyote and
a little more than four-fifths the length of the leg of the domestic
dog, No. 21989.
The radius of the domestic dog 21989 is 3 mm. longer than its
humerus; whereas, the radius No. 6736 is 20 mm. shorter than the
humerus No. 6735. The radius must have belonged to an individ¬
ual about one-seventh smaller than that to which the humerus be¬
longed. It is the bone of a mature animal.
The foreleg of this dog probably was slightly more than 15
inches long, not including the scapula.
LYNX RUFFUS FLORID ANUS (RAFINESQUE).
Lynx sp. Sellards, E. H., 1916, Jour. Geology Vol. XX'V., p. 17; 8th Ann.
Rep. Fla. Geol. Surv., pp. 152, 158, pi. XXVIII., fig. 3.
A left mandibular ramus, No. 6739, from bed No. 3, Vero,
appears to represent this subspecies. The angle and the articular
process are missing. The canine and the third and fourth pre¬
molars and the first molar are present. The jaw and teeth are here
compared with those of Lynx ruff us floridanus, No. 173028 of the
United States National Museum, from Florida.
VERTEBRATA AT VERO.
65
MEASUREMENTS OF LOWER JAW AND TEETH IN MILLIMETERS.
Length from rear of mi to front of symphysis.
Height of jaw at front of pm4 -
Height of jaw at rear of mi -
Thickness of jaw at front of pm4 - -
Thickness of jaw at rear of mi -
Length of symphysis in front _
Length of tooth row pm3 — nil -
Length of pm3 -
Thickness of pm3 -
Length of pm4 -
Thickness of pm4 _ : _
Length of m4 -
Thickness of m4 -
Fore-and-aft diameter of canine at base _
Side-to-side diameter of canine at base -
Fossil Jaw
6739
173028
— 45-5
47.0
14.0
16.0
17.0
17.0
7-5
7-5
'7o
8.0
23-5
22.5
29.0
30.0
__ 8.0
7.6
4-5
4.2
10. 1
10.8
- 5-0
5-i
12.0
12.2
- 5-i
5-3
7-5
8.0
7.0
6.0
On comparing the jaw with a series of skulls from Florida it is
found that the fossil shows apparently no essential specific differ¬
ences. The carnassial of No. 6739 has the notch deeper than any
of the existing specimens, but a few approach it closely.
A right tibia seems not to differ essentially from that of the
living form. When compared with No. 173028, United States
National Museum, from Florida, differences appear; but these are
probably only of individual importance.
From Port Kennedy cave Cope (Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila.,
Vol. II., 1899, p. 250) described Lynx calcar atns, which was so
closely related to L. ruffus that originally he referred it to this
species.
III. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS.
Of the 43 species which have been enumerated in this paper it
will be seen that 17 are regarded as being extinct. This amounts
to 40 per cent. If the fishes, amphibians, and reptiles are consid¬
ered apart from the others, they present only 26 per cent, of extinct
species. These low forms are more likely to persist than are the
more highly organized mammals. Nevertheless, a large propor¬
tion of the cold-blooded animals are represented in the collection by
very meagre remains; and it is possible that with more abundant
materials species distinct from those now living might be recog-
66 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
nized. Of mammals there are 24 species, of which 12, just one-
half, are regarded as no longer living. It is especially the mammals
which figure in Pleistocene faunal lists ; and they are more properly
the ones to be used in making comparison with discoveries made
elsewhere.
On page 26 of volume XXIII of the Iowa Geological Survey,
the writer has presented a list of the species of mammals which
have been found in the Aftonian interglacial deposits. These are
21 in number, of which 19 are extinct, close to 90 per cent. It
must be noted, however, that most of the Aftonian deposits consist
of coarse materials and that the small species, mostly rodents, have
not been collected. The discovery of these would quite certainly
reduce the percentage.
In the Iowa Report on the page noted above there is a list, taken
from Matthew, of mammals which had been found at Grayson, near
Hay Springs, Nebraska. These are supposed to be of the same
geological age as those from the Aftonian. They are 21 in number,
of which 15 appear to be extinct, about 71 per cent.
The cave at Port Kennedy, Pennsylvania, has furnished 47 iden¬
tified mammals, of which 80 per cent, are extinct. The deposits of
this cave belong certainly to the early Pleistocene. As the condi¬
tions there were favorable for the preservation of all kinds of land
animals, it would seem that the normal percentage of extinct mam¬
mals for the early Pleistocene is about 80. What is found in any
particular locality will depend, however, on special conditions. In
No. 2 at Vero, there appears to be 70 per cent, of extinct mammals.
In the Conard fissure, in Arkansas, Barnum Brown found about
50 identifiable species of mammals, of which about 47 per cent, are
extinct. The list is to be found on pages 31 and 32 of the. Iowa vol¬
ume cited above. Inasmuch as great numbers of the smaller ani¬
mals, especially insectivores and rodents, had accumulated there, and
few of the large animals which it is certain were living then in that
region, as elephants, mastodons, ground sloths, and bisons, it is not
improbable that the percentage of extinct species is too low. On
account of the presence of some species there which appear to be
of a boreal type, the writer has supposed that the animal lived dur¬
ing one of the glacial stages, probably the Illinoisian.
On account of the comparatively low percentage (5°) of the
extinct mammals belonging to No. 3 at Vero, the writer has been
inclined to the opinion that the stratum belongs to the middle Pleis-
VERTEBRATA AT VERO.
67
tocene; while No. 2 is thought to belong to the early part of the
epoch. However, the geologists who have studied the deposits,
both those who argue for the late age of beds and those who believe
them to be older, think that there was no great interval between
them.
As regards the origin of the vertebrate remains which are found
in the muck bed at Vero, the writer believes that the animals left
their remains where they are now found, and that they were not
washed into that stratum from some other place of previous burial.
In too many cases are two or more bones of one individual of an
extinct species found closely associated to have been transported
even a few hundred yards. The bones of the animals do not pre¬
sent the abrasions and the polishing which transportation would
produce. Again, had the bones of both No. 2 and No. 3 been
washed in from some common source and at no great interval of
time apart, there appears to be no good reason why the percentage
of extinct forms in the two should not be practically the same.
The two deposits found at Vero, and at present known as No. 2
and No. 3, and the remains of fossil animals found in them, are of
especial interest, because in both of these strata have been found
bones of human beings. In stratum No. 3, in addition to skeletal
remains, implements made by man are numerous.
We are, therefore, confronted by questions as to the antiquity of
those human remains. As has already been indicated, the writer
believes that the deposits in question are not only of Pleistocene age
but of early or middle Pleistocene. He is also convinced, after
having examined the locality and collected fossils from it, that the
human remains are as old as the deposits in which they are found.
The arguments in favor of the last proposition have already been
presented by Doctor Sellards.
The writer will here briefly present some evidences which go to
show that men possessing a culture much like that of modern
Indians existed in America at least as far back as the Sangamon
interglacial stage, about the middle of the Pleistocene, and possibly
still earlier.
a. In 1846, Dr. M. W. Dickeson exhibited before the Academy of Natural
Sciences of Philadelphia a part of a human pelvis which had been found in a
blue clay below the loess, and two feet below bones of megalonyx and other
extinct animals. Chemical analysis of the human bone has shown that it is more
highly fossilized than the animal bones.
68 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
b. In 1891 Prof. F. M. Witter, of Muscatine, Iowa, reported that two flint
arrow points had been discovered in the loess at Muscatine, at depths of 12 and
25 feet.
c. In the same communication Professor Witter stated that he had himself
found flint chips in a gravel bed on Mad Creek, near Muscatine, at a depth of 10
feet from the surface.The gravel bed was overlain by loess and near-by in the
gravel had been found a tooth of an elephant.
d. In 1900 Dr. J. A. Udden published a statement which had been made to
him about the finding of a stone ax at Council Bluffs, Iowa, in loess at a depth
of 35 feet.
e. In 1903, Dr. C. A. Peterson, of St. Louis, announced that a stone ax
had been found near St. Louis at the bottom of the loess, at a depth of 14 feet.
/. In 1902 Dr. S. W. Williston reported that Messrs. Overton and Martin
had found, in Kansas, a flint arrow head underneath the shoulder blade of a
fossil bison, at a depth of 20 feet from the surface. The animal belonged to
the species Bison occidentalis. Its remains have been frequently found, but
never in deposits overlying the Wisconsin drift.
In all probability man had his origin in southern Asia. From
this region, and not from Europe, were peopled the other continents
and the islands of the seas. A people as advanced as many Ameri¬
can Indians may have reached America long before the Cro-Mag¬
nons had been able to dispossess the fierce Heidelbergers and the
Neanderthalers who had preoccupied Europe.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE
PLATE 3.
Fig. 1. Chelydra sculpta Hay. View from above, X%.
Seven bones of the carapace of one individual found together.
Figs. 2, 3. Tayassu lenis Leidy. X 2.
2. Upper left hindermost molar. View of grinding surface.
3. Upper left canine, showing the outer face.
Fig. 4. Odocoileus sellardsiae Hay. X 4-5.
Fifth cervical vertebra, showing the front end. X 4-5.
Fig. 5. Odocoileus hemionus Rafinesque.
Fifth cervical vertebra, presenting the front end.
Fig. 6. Odocoileus sellardsiae. Third lumbar vertebra.
FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
NINTH ANNUAL REPORT. PL. 3.
HUMAN REMAINS AT VERO.
69
REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE ON WHICH THE HUMAN
REMAINS FOUND AT VERO, FLORIDA, ARE RE¬
FERRED TO THE PLEISTOCENE.
E. H. SELLARDS.
A11 account of the discovery of human and other fossils found
at Vero was given in the preceding annual report of this Survey.
Since that time important additional investigations have been made
at the locality. In the latter part of October, 1916, a conference
was held at V ero, at which time the following geologists and anthro¬
pologists were present : Dr. O. P. Hay, Research Associate of the
Carnegie Institution, Washington; Dr. G. G. MacCurdy, Anthro¬
pologist, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; Dr. A. Hrd-
licka. Anthropologist, U. S. National Museum, Washington; Dr. T.
W. Vaughan, Geologist, U. S. Geological Survey, Washington; Dr.
R. T. Chamberlin, Geologist, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illi¬
nois. In March, 1917, Professor E. W. Berry, of Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore, Maryland, visited the locality. At this time
also Dr. Chamberlin returned to Florida to supplement his former
observations. Supplementary collections were made by the State
Survey at this locality in October, November and December, 1916,
and in March, 1917.
As a result of these investigations, together with the studies of
others who have kindly identified fossils, the locality at Vero has
received detailed study and very full discussion. The. papers which
have been published, in addition to those of the present volume,
relating to these deposits include the, following, listed in the order
in which they were issued :
On the Discovery of Fossil Human Remains in Florida in Association with
Extinct Vertebrates, by E. H. Sellards, Amer. Jour. Sci., vol. 42, pp. 1-18,
July, 1916.
Human Remains from the Pleistocene of Florida, by E. H. Sellards, Science,
N. S. Vol. 44, pp. 615-617, October 27, 1916.
Human Remains and Associated Fossils from the Pleistocene of Florida, by
E. H. Sellards, Eighth Annual Report, Florida Geological Survey, pp. 121-160,
pis. 15-31 ; figs. 1-15, October, 1916.
On the Association of Human Remains and Extinct Vertebrates at Vero,
Florida, by E. H. Sellards, Journal of Geology, vol. 25, pp. 4-24, January-Feb-
ruary, 1917.
Interpretation of the Formations Containing Human Bones at Vero, Florida,
JO FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
by Rollin T. Chamberlin, Journal of Geology, vol. 25, pp. 25-39, January-Feb-
ruary, 1917.
On Reported Pleistocene Human Remains at Vero, Florida, by Thomas
Wayland Vaughan, Journal of Geology, vol. 25, pp. 40-42, January-February, 1917.
Preliminary Report on Finds of Supposedly Ancient Human Remains at
Vero, Florida, by Alex Hrdlicka, Journal of Geology, vol. 25, pp. 43-51, January-
February, 1917.
The Quaternary Deposits at Vero, Florida, and the Vertebrate Remains
Contained Therein, by Oliver P. Hay, Journal of Geology, vol. 25, pp. 52-55,
January-February, 1917.
Archaeological Evidences of Man’s Antiquity at Vero, Florida, by George
Grant MacCurdy, Journal of Geology, vol. 25, pp. 56-62, January-February, 1917.
Further Notes on Human Remains from Vero, Florida, by E. H. Sellards,
Amer. Anthropologist, n. s. pp. 239-251, vol. 19, No. 2, April-June, 1917.
The Problems of Man’s Antiquity at Vero, Fla., by GecTrge Grant Mac-
Curdy, Amer. Anthropologist, n. s. pp. 252-261, vol. 19, No. 2, April-June, 1917.
On the Finding of Supposed Pleistocene Human Remains at Vero, Florida,
by Oliver P. Hay, Journal Washington Academy of Sciences, Vol. 7, pp. 258-260,
June 4, 1917.
To the conclusion that the human remains and artifacts at Vero
are of Pleistocene age, some objections have been offered. On the
other hand, the detailed studies that have been made both of the
vertebrate and plant fossils, and also of the section, have very
materially strengthened that conclusion. The objections as well as
the new evidence will be reviewed in this paper.
GV^ctions to this conclusion have been offered by Drs. Hrdlicka,
MacCurdy and Chamberlin. Dr. Hrdlicka, alone of those who
have seen the deposits, offers the interpretation that the human
remains represent merely recent, or relatively recent, inclusions in
the deposit by human burials. Dr. MacCurdy, on the other hand,
regards the human remains and artifacts as normal inclusions
within this deposit, but is not convinced that the deposits are of the
Pleistocene period. Dr. Chamberlin based his objection to the
Pleistocene age of the deposits on the assumption that the extinct
vertebrates had washed into these beds from an older formation
nearby and hence were secondary.
These several objections, it may be noted, are not related the
one to the other. If the human bones and artifacts represent recent
burials by human agency as claimed by Hrdlicka, there is no oc¬
casion to maintain either that the Pleistocene fossils have washed
into recent beds as suggested by Chamberlin, or that the deposits
themselves are of relatively recent age as maintained by MacCurdy.
HUMAN REMAINS AT VERO.
71
The objections that have been offered to the Pleistocene age of
the human remains have been considered by the writer in a paper
published in a recent issue of the American Anthropologist (N. S.
vol. 19, pp. 239-251, No. 2, 1917). The evidence that the human
bones reached the place where found by natural agencies and not
by human burial is there presented in some detail, and for conven¬
ience of reference is reprinted here. The evidence that the verte¬
brate fossils in the stream bed are primary and not secondary was
also given in the paper to which reference has been made. The
evidence that the deposits themselves, both strata No. 2 and 3, are
of the Pleistocene period is more fully presented than heretofore
in the present volume.
The following extract is from the American Anthropologist
with some minor alterations which, however, do not affect the sub¬
stance of the article.
The question as to whether or not the human bones represent burials may
perhaps be best discussed by considering the bones of the individual found in the
south bank of the canal west of the lateral inlet. Of the bones of this individual,
the right ulna, a part of the humerus, a part of a scapula, one incisor, and parts
of the skull had fallen from the bank. Of these bones the ulna, the humerus
and a piece of the frontal are bleached from exposure to the sun. The other
bones mentioned were found in cavings which had recently fallen from the bank,
and do not show bleaching. All of the other bones that have been obtained at
this locality were found in place in the bank. The bones which apparently may
safely be attributed to this individual include, in addition to those mentioned, the
left ulna, the shaft of the right femur (in two pieces), the proximal part of the
left radius, the ascending ramus of the right lower jaw, two metatarsals and
numerous fragments of the skull and some pieces of ribs. Bones found a little
farther to the east which may or may not pertain to this individual include, a
right astragalus, a right external cuneiform, a piece from the right pubes, and
a part of the left ilium, two phalanges and a section from a limb bone, as well as
some other bone fragments. These last named bones are from stratum No. 2
of the section, while all the others listed were on the contact line of Nos. 2 and 3.
All of the bones are more or less broken and incomplete. The first bone
found in place was the proximal part of the left ulna. An additional part of the
shaft of this bone was subsequently found a few inches farther back in the
bank. The second bone found in place was the proximal part of the shaft of the
left femur. Two and a half months later, after the excavating had been carried
farther back into the bank, an additional part of the shaft of this femur was
obtained, the two pieces of bone being separated in the bank by a distance of
eight feet. This bone, the two pieces having been put together, is illustrated in
figure 3 of plate 19 of the Eighth Annual Report of the Florida Geological
Survey. The third bone found in place was the proximal part of the left radius.
A photograph showing these three bones in place in the bank was reproduced in
72 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
the American Journal of Science, July, 1916, and in the Eighth Annual Report
of the Florida Geological Survey, plate 17, figure 1, and is included herewith.
The two bones, left ulna and left radius, it may be noted, are separated by a
space of five feet. The part of the radius preserved has a length of 145 mm.,
and hence the distance between the bones, as well as the thickness of the section,
may be readily computed from the photograph. Vertically above the radius, as
may be seen in the photograph, is twelve or fourteen inches of light colored,
coarse, clean sand, with which is intimately mixed a quantity of broken marine
shells, this part of the deposit representing material washed from the underlying
stratum (No. 1 of the section). This is followed by about ten or twelve inches
of vegetable material and sand, including, as may be seen in the photograph,
pieces of driftwood. Above this layer is seen a lens of coarse, clean sand,
including some pieces of broken marine shells, all of which has been thrown in by
the stream. This sand lens, as seen in the photograph, has a thickness of
about six inches. Above this sand lens to the soil line is found fourteen or
fifteen inches of material consisting chiefly of muck, including some sand, the
depth of this bone beneath the surface being about forty-two inches. In passing
to the right the deposit of sand immediately above the radius “pinches out” so
that the piece of femur which lies approximately four feet farther west is imme¬
diately beneath the muck, as is also the ulna.
In the writer’s description of this locality the depth is given as four feet,
which is not in excess of the thickness of the deposit overlying some of the
bones. All of the bones lie at the contact line of this deposit and the next
older bed, and the varying depth of the bones beneath the surface is due to the
fact that the top surface of the next older deposit is irregular. The essential
point involved, however, is not as to the depth at which the bones lie, but the
fact that the deposits above the bones consist of alternating layers or strata
which have not been disturbed. A sample was retained showing the sand in
which the radius was imbedded, and also a sample of the sand including the
broken shell vertically above the radius. This clean-washed, coarse sand,
together with the shell fragments, contrasting decidedly with the overlying
accumulation of driftwood and muck, affords positive evidence of stream-washed
material, and conclusive proof that the deposit has not been dug into or other¬
wise disturbed.
The illustrations which accompany this paper include : A ground plan of the
human bones found in place in the canal bank west of the lateral inlet, a photo¬
graph showing the ulna, femur and radius, all of which bones are broken and
incomplete, in place in the bank (omitted from this reprint) ; a closer view
showing the succession of strata directly above the radius ; a detailed view of
the radius in place, including the sand and shell deposit immediately above it;
and a view (taken in the laboratory) showing the sand and broken marine shell,
slightly enlarged, from immediately above the radius. These illustrations afford
a record that is, it would seem, conclusive as to the conditions under which these
bones were found. From the photographs it may be seen that flat objects, such
as shells and shell fragments, lie prevailingly in a single plane of deposition, and
that the deposits are cross-bedded, both of which features are characteristic of
deposition by water. A study of the photographs and more especially of the
section itself shows conclusively that these bones were washed to the place where
HUMAN REMAINS AT VERO.
73
found by the waters of this stream and that they became entombed at the same
time and in the same way as the sand, shell fragments, pieces of wood and
other materials of this deposit. These bones are, therefore, unquestionably
fossils of this formation and were not subsequently introduced into the deposit
by human agency or in any other way.
Fig. i : — Ground plan showing the location of human bones found in the
canal bank at Vero in April and in June, 1916. Index to bones: 1, left ulna;
2, a part of the shaft of the same bone; 3, left femur; 9, a part of the shaft of
the same bone ; 4, radius ; 5, metatarsal ; 6, astragalus.; 7, external cuneiform ;
8, part of ilium. Courtesy of University of Chicago Press.
After the photographs were taken excavating at this locality was continued
and human bones were collected over the area indicated in the accompanying
sketch. The manner of occurrence of the human skull is instructive. Scarcely
one-half of the skull was obtained, and the pieces that were secured were dis¬
tributed over an area of not less than seven by three feet. The broken skull
fragments fit together securely. Most of the skull pieces were found in the
sand containing the broken pieces of marine shells, and it is evident that they
were washed to their present resting place in the same way and at the same
time as the radius and the other bones. The absence of bones and parts of
bones is as instructive as the condition of the bones themselves. Of the jaws,
for instance, there has been obtained only the right ascending ramus. This
piece of bone is well preserved and the break shows a sharp fracture. There is
no reason, therefore, to doubt but that the part of the jaw that is missing, if
included within this formation at all, is also well mineralized. The same is true
of the radius of the left femur and of the skull bones, as well as of the skeleton
as a whole. From the time of the location of these bones in April to the confer¬
ence in October, the bank at this place was worked only by hand trowels and the
material after being worked by the trowels was passed through screens, much
of it being double screened through coarse and fine mesh. At no time were
74 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
laborers allowed to work the bank with shovels or other implements. If the
remainder of the jaw had been preserved within the area covered by this sketch,
or in fact within a somewhat greater ^rea, it would certainly have been recovered.
The same is true of the missing and imperfect bones of the skeleton. These
bones and parts of bones were either not washed into this formation, and for
that reason failed of preservation, or if preserved in this deposit were lying
K>me place outside of the area covered by this sketch.
It is evident that the bones of this skeleton had become thoroughly dried
before they were moved and broken, this fact being indicated by the sharp
fracture of the bones. Dr. Hrdlicka has referred to the breaks in the bones as
being “fresh,” and suggests that the breaks may have occurred for the most
part as the bones were uncovered and fell from the bank.* It is, however, cer¬
tain that the breaks in these bones that were in place in the bank, such as the
left ulna, the left radius, the right femur, and the left femur, and the bones of
the skull occurred at the time the bones were washed to the place where they
were found. Some of the bones may have been carried much farther by the
stream at this time, while others possibly never found their way into this stream
bed, thus accounting for the imperfection of the skeleton.
To assume that these bones represent a burial affords no adequate explana¬
tion of the separation of the radius and the ulna; of the displacement of the
two parts of the right femur; nor of the broken and scattered condition of the
skull as well- as the scattering of the skeleton. On the other hand, recognition
of the fact that the bones were washed by the stream to their present resting
place affords an explanation of every phenomenon that is presented including :
The broken condition of the bones ; the separation of the radius and ulna a
distance of five feet; the separation of the two pieces of the right femur a
distance of eight feet ; the position of the radius beneath fourteen inches of
coarse sand and broken marine shells, the scattering of the parts of the skull ;
the presence of driftwood in. the deposit and the uninterrupted bedding above the
bones, as well as the imperfect representation of the skeleton as a whole.
In all of its features this deposit maintains the characteristics of a stream
fill, and we may plainly read the history of the accumulation of material at this
immediate spot. The stream had cut into the marine shell marl (stratum No. i
of the section), making a rather sharp trench in that formation. As the result
of flood waters there was thrown into this trench an accumulation of coarse
sand and broken marine shells which filled the bottom of the trench to a maxi¬
mum depth of fourteen inches. Of the human bones the radius as seen in the
photograph was left lying practically at the bottom of the little trench, while a
piece of the femur and the ulna as well as parts of the skull were thrown well
upon the side. Quiet conditions followed, interrupted occasionally by mild flood
waters. One of these floods threw in the lens of coarse sand, including broken
marine shells, which is seen in the photograph about twenty inches above the
ulna. Under these alternating conditions of quiet waters and flood waters there
was accumulated the successive layers of muck and sand, with occasional inclu¬
sions of driftwood forming the stratified deposit which permanently sealed the
bones and preserved them until the present time.
*Journal of Geology, Vol. xxv., p. 45, 1917.
HUMAN REMAINS AT VERO.
75
The manner of occurrence of the pottery and bone implements must like¬
wise be considered. Pottery is distributed throughout the deposit that has been
designated as stratum No. 3, being more abundant, however, near the base.
One hundred or more pieces of broken pottery have been taken from this forma¬
tion. Bone implements are likewise general in their distribution, although the
greater number have been taken near the base of stratum No. 3. The large
arrowhead illustrated in the Eighth Annual Report of the Florida Geological
Survey (fig. 1, pi. 21) was found lying in a layer of light colored, coarse sand at
the base of stratum No. 3. The great abundance of pottery, bone implements
and flints near the base of this deposit is accounted for in the writer’s interpre¬
tation by the fact that the stream current was stronger when these first deposits
were laid down than subsequently, and hence more piaterial from the surrounding
land surface was washed in than at a later time when the waters became more
quiet. The muck which predominates in the upper part of the deposit belongs
to the period of quiet and more or less ponded waters.
The muck of this section is followed strategically by fresh-water marl, for
while the marl is not everywhere present, the relative age is indicated by the
fact that laterally the muck passes under and ultimately grades into the marl
(Journ. Geol. loc. cit., fig. 3, p. 10). The marl itself, although containing a few
fresh-water shells and other fossils, represents chiefly calcareous material accu¬
mulated by chemical or bio-chemical processes. Its presence, therefore, is sig¬
nificant as to the probable age of the section. Hrdlicka (loc. cit. p. 49) refers
to the fact that this fresh-water marl when first uncovered is often soft and
hardens on exposure. This, however, is true of marls in general. The Ocala
limestone of early Tertiary age is frequently soft when first uncovered and
invariably hardens upon exposure; the same is true of many other limestones.
He notes also the fact that shells piled up by the aborigines are sometimes found
to have become cemented. It is to be borne in mind, however, that the cementing
of shells artificially piled up is a materially different matter to the accumulation
of a stratum of marl by natural processes.
The evidence that the vertebrate fossils in the stream bed are
primary and not secondary is very positive. The following dis¬
cussion in regard to the origin of these fossils is reprinted from
the article by the writer in the American Anthropogist to which ref¬
erence has been made.
* * * Dr. Chamberlin postulates that these fossils have been washed from
the older Pleistocene deposits which lie immediately back of the beach through
which the north and south forks of the stream cut, and refers to this formation
as the “deposit which originally housed the old mammalian bones.”
If the mammalian bones which are found in such abundance were washed
from deposits further to the west, naturally we may expect to recover other and
better fossils from the original or parent formation. Fortunately the opportunity
for examining the formation in question for fossils is exceptionally good. The
main canal after cutting across the beach ridge continues inland a distance of
twelve miles. Moreover, the lateral which enters from the south continues
j6 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
for some miles in a general southwesterly direction. Paralleling the main canal
and on the north side of it there is also a third canal which reaches inland about
one-eighth of a mile. The banks of these three canals which contain large
masses of the particular deposit which Chamberlin regards as the source of the
bones, have been carefully searched by the writer and others and no vertebrate
fossils have been obtained. It appears, therefore, that the formation from which
Dr. Chamberlin would derive the bones is almost if not entirely non-fossiliferous.
In view of this fact is it to be believed that the abundance of bones found in
the stream bed have washed from this formation?*
In this connection the condition of the fossils themselves may be called into
evidence. Both Drs. Hrdlicka and Chamberlin have referred to the relative
completeness of the human skeletons, but there is obviously no point in this
reference that will support the theories advanced by either of them. All of the
human bones have been submitted by the writer to Dr. Hrdlicka who states that
he recognizes the presence of five individuals. One of these is represented by a
single molar tooth; another by a single toe bone, while of another nothing
appears to be known other than an incisor tooth. Obviously these three indi¬
viduals could not have been represented by more fragmentary material. Of the
two remaining individuals but an imperfect representation of the skeleton of
each has been obtained, including twenty-six bones of the one and of the other
scarcely so many.
Of the extinct wolf, Canis ayersi, thirty or more bones of a single individual
have been found at one place, while near by was obtained the skull and femur
probably of the same individual. The skeleton of this extinct animal is more
fully represented, therefore, than is that of any one of the human skeletons.
The extinct armadillo-like genus, Chlamytherium, is represented by a lower jaw,
a bone from the skull and many dermal plates, all found at one place and prob¬
ably all belonging to a single individual. The extinct stork, Jabiru weillsi, is
represented by a humerus, part of a corocoid, part of two ulnas and two meta-
carpals, all found at one place and probably from one individual. Extinct turtles
are represented by all or by parts of the carapace so fragile as not to withstand
secondary deposition. The mastodon is represented by a part of the skull and
tusk as well as a lower jaw and by teeth. The elephant is represented by whole
teeth and by parts of the skeleton. The tapir is represented by a practically
complete skull. There is in fact, as the writer has heretofore stated, no essential
difference either in the completeness of the skeleton or in the manner of preser¬
vation between the human bones and those of the associated animals.
There remains the objection advanced by MacCurdy that the
deposits containing the human remains are comparatively recent
and are not to be referred to the Pleistocene period. This conclu¬
sion as presented by MacCurdy applies particularly to stratum No. 3,
in which human remains were abundant. The human remains and
*Since the above was written the deposits in question have been re-examined
by Dr. Chamberlin, the writer and others and further shown to be non-fossili¬
ferous.
FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. NINTH ANNUAL REPORT. PL. 4.
Fig. i. Human radius in place in the canal bank. Approximately one-third
natural size.
Fig. 2. Succession of strata
above the radius. The radius is
near No. 2.
Fig. 3. Photograph, slightly en¬
larged, of sand and shell from
above the radius.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE 5.
Fig. 1. Photograph of bone implement in place in the canal bank.
Fig. 2. Closer view of same implement.
The implement is seen in the two photographs at the right of the hammer.
Actual length of bone implement 157 mm.
FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
NINTH ANNUAL REPORT. PL. 5.
HUMAN REMAINS AT VERO.
77
artifacts which have been obtained from stratum No. 2, MacCurdy
is disposed to account for as accidental inclusions.
Additional evidence for referring the deposits containing the
human materials to the Pleistocene has been derived from the
detailed study which has been made of the vertebrate and plant
fossils. Careful studies have now been made of the mammals,
birds, turtles and plants. In each group is found extinct species, as
well as other species, which at the. present time do not extend their
range into Florida. However, inasmuch as the papers relating to
these fossils are available through the Survey reports, it will not be
necessary to review them here, except possibly to note the relative
proportion of extinct species in each group, particularly as applied
to the upper part of the deposits.
Of the mammals of stratum No. 3, as identified by Dr. Hay,
almost one-half are extinct. Of six birds specifically identifiable
from this stratum, two, or 33 per cent, according to Dr. Shufeldt,
represent new and presumably extinct species. The turtles of
stratum No. 3, according to Dr. Hay’s determination, include eight
species of which four, or 50 per cent, are unknown in the recent
fauna. In addition one of the remaining four forms is believed to be
sub-specifically distinct from the modern. The plants from stratum
No. 3 as determined by Professor Be.rry include twenty-seven
species, of which one is extinct. If we consider the geographic
range, however, the plants make a much more favorable showing.
Of the twenty-seven specie.s, five, according to Berry, or approxi¬
mately 20 per cent, do not at present extend their range into Florida.
The insects of this deposit have not yet been determined. A
mite, obtained by Mr. Berry while collecting fossil plants, has been
determined by Mr. Nathan Banks as belonging to the genus Oribella,
and as possibly representing a new species, although not all of the
types of the described species have yet been compared.
The evidence derived from a study of the animals and plants is
thus consistent and supports the reference of the deposits, including
stratum No. 3, where the human remains and artifacts are so numer¬
ous, to the Pleistocene period.
The invertebrate fauna of the deposit is fairly well known. A
list of the. land and fresh- water mollusks associated with the verte¬
brates was given in the Eighth Annual Report of this Survey. This
group was found to include twenty-eight species, all of which are
represented in the existing fauna. The invertebrates of the marine
78 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
shell marl which lies at the base of this section have since been deter¬
mined for the Survey through the courtesy of the National Museum.
Two lots of fossils have been collected from this part of the section,
of which the following is a combined list. The corals have been iden¬
tified by Dr. T. W. Vaughan, the mollusks by Mr. W. C. Mansfield,
and the bryozoa by Dr. R. S. Bassler. An x following the name
of a species indicates its presence in the recent fauna.
MARINE INVERTEBRATES FROM VERO, FLORIDA
GASTROPODA
Terebra cinerea Gmel. X
Terebra concava Say X
Terebra dislocata Say X
Olivella mutica Say X
Olivella jaspidea ? Gmelin
Oliva literata Lam. X
Marginella, near apicina Mke. ?
Marginella sp. (immature).
Fasciolaria distans Lam. X
Busycon carica Linn. X
Busycon perversum Linn. X
Melongena corona Gmelin. X
Columbella (Anachis) avara Say X
Nassa acuta Say X
Urosalpinx ? (yo.)
Eupleura caudata Say X
Murex fulvescens Say X
Epitonium lineata Say X
Epitonium sp.
Purpura haemostoma var. floridana Conrad. X
Cerithium floridanum Morch X
Cerithium, near muscarum Say
Cerithium sp.
Modulus floridanus Conrad X
Turritella (worn)
Littorina irrorata Say X
Crepidula, fornicata Say X
Crepidula, plana Say X
Neverita duplicata Say X
Sigaretus perspectivus Say X
Vermicularia nigricana Dali X
Petaloconchus irregularis Orb. X
Fissurella alternata Say X
HUMAN REMAINS AT VERO.
79
PELECYPODA
Nucula proxima Say X
Glycymeris americana Defrance X
Glycymeris pectinata Gemel. X
Scapharca (Scapharca) transversa Say X
Scapharca (Cunearca) incongrus Say X
Scapharca (Argina) campechiensis Dillwyn X
Area (Noetia) limula Conrad, intermediate form between A limula and
A ponder osa Say
Area cf. umbonata Lam.
Barbatia (Acar) reticulata Gmel. X
Pecten gibbus, var. dislocatus Say X
Plicatula romosa Lam X
Anomia simplex Orbigny X
Crassinella lunulata ( ?) Conrad ?
Crassinella sp.
Cardita (Carditamera) floridana Conrad X
Venericardia tridentata Say, var, averaging about 20 radiating ribs. ?
Venericardia perplana Conr. X
Phacoides (Parvilucina) multilineatus T & H. X
Phacoides, near nasuta Conr! (n. sp. ?)
Phacoides (yo)
Phacoides floridanus Conrad X
Divaricella quadrisulcata Orb. X
Cardium (Trachycardium) muricatum Linn. X
Cardium (Cerastoderma) robustum) Solander X
Cardium (Trachycardium) isocardia Conr. X
Cardium (Laevicardium) serratum Linn. X
Cardium (Laevicardium) mortoni Conrad X
Dosinia distans X
Dosinia (yo)
Chione (Lirophora) latilirata Conrad X
Chione cancellata Linnaeus X
Chione interpurpurea Conr. X
Chione (Timoclea) grus Holmes X
Chione sp.
Anomalocardia cuneimeris Conr. X
Venus (yo.)
Venus mortoni Conrad X
Venus campechiensis Gmelin var. X
Tellina lintea Conrad X
Transennella caloosana Dali — reported not later than the Pleistocene.
Strigilla flexuosa Say X
Strigilla sp.
Semele proficua Pulteney X
Semele bellastriata ( ?) Conr.
Donax variabilis Say X
80 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
Donax tumida Phil. X
Mulinia lateralis Say X
Mulinia lateralis (long variety)
Mulinia lateralis var. corbuloides Desh. X
Mactra (yo.)
Spisula solidissima var. senulis Say X
Rangia cf. cyrenoides Desmoulins
Corbula cuneata (?) Say ?
CORALS
Oculina robusta Pourtales X
Solenastraea hyade (Dana) X
BRYOZOA
Cupularia denticulata Lamarck.
5 By referring to the list it is seen that sixty-one species of mol-
lusks are. recognized as identical with living forms. One species,
Transennella caloosana Dali, has not been reported from deposits
later than the Pleistocene. One other species, an Area, is regarded
as intermediate, between the extinct A. limitla and the recent A.
ponderosa. One specimen is referred doubtfully to Corbula cune¬
ata, a species not known in the recent fauna. The collection con¬
tains, in addition, several species, the identification of which is
doubtful. Among these is a shell near to Pliacoides nasuta, which
may possibly represent a new species. In this connection it may be
noted that Shimek has presented evidence showing that the land and
fresh-water molluscan fauna from as early in the Pleistocene as the
Aftonian inter-glacial stage has remained essentially unchanged to
the present day, while the vertebrate fauna of the same stage has
become largely extinct.* Likewise at this locality in Florida a
vertebrate fauna containing many extinct species is associated with
a land and fresh-water molluscan fauna containing so far as known
only recent species. This vertebrate fauna also is more recent than
the marine molluscan fauna of the underlying beds which, with few
exceptions, includes species identical with the living forms. It is
evident, therefore, that the presence of existing species of mollusks
in the formation cannot be taken as proof that the deposits are
recent, especially in view of the presence of extinct species of verte¬
brates and plants.
*Evidence that the Fossiliferous Gravel and Sand Beds of Iowa and Ne¬
braska are Aftonian, by B. Shimek. Bull. Geol. Soc. of Amer. Vol. 21, pp.
1 19-140, 1910.
HUMAN REMAINS AT VERO.
8l
In the section as exposed in the canal bank there are distinct
uninterrupted lines of stratification, beneath which human materials
are found. One of these is a stratum of fresh-water marl which
is best seen on the south bank of the canal. Beneath this marl have
been found both human bones and bone implements. The photo¬
graph included in plate 5 of this report shows a bone implement in
the south bank of the canal 32 feet west of the lateral inlet, lying
beneath this marl at a depth of 4 feet from the surface. This im¬
plement was collected in March, 1917, and is No. 7786 of the
Florida Survey collection. The marl at this place is about 1 foot
thick, and may be traced laterally continuously along the canal bank
to the locality where it reaches the maximum of about 18 inches in
thickness. Human bones have been found beneath this marl, .as re¬
ported in papers previously published, at a place where it has a
thickness of about 18 inches and is so well indurated as to form a
hard rock. In this rock itself was found the tooth of a fox differ¬
ing from the modern fox of Florida (Fla. Geol. Surv., 8th Ann.
Rep. p. 132, 1916). In general it is observed that the bone imple¬
ments, flints, pottery and human bones all lie below the stringers
and layers containing fossil plants and animals, the association being
such as to establish the fact that they are contemporaneous.
CONCLUSIONS.
The human remains and artifacts are contemporaneous with
extinct species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and at least one extinct
species of plants, as well as with other animal and plant species
that do not at the present time extend their range into Florida.
The age of the. deposits containing these fossils according to the
accepted interpretation of faunas and floras is Pleistocene.
82 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
'ADDENDUM.
Correction : — In the Eighth Annual Report of this Survey and in some other
publications, an implement found in the deposits at Vero and illustrated by figure
6 of plate 23 (8th An. Rpt.) is referred to as a wood implement. Upon further
examination, however, this implement is found to be of bone, and no wood
implements are known from the deposit.
ERRATA.
P. 78, 26th line, for Say, read Sby.
40th line, for nigricana, read nigricans.
P. 79, 3d line, for Gemel, read Gmelin.
5th line, for incongrus, read incongrua.
12th line, for romosa, read ramosa.
20th line, for nasuta, read nassula.
29th line, for distans, read discus.
33d line, for interpurpurea, read intapurpurea.
P. 80, 6th line, for senulis, read similis.
10th line, for Solenastraea hyade, read Solenastrea hyades.
12th line, for Cupula.ria denticulata Lamarck, read Cupularia denticulata
Lamarck X.
GEOLOGY BETWEEN THE OCKLOCKNEE AND
AUCILLA RIVERS IN FLORIDA.
BY E. LI. SELLARDS.
CONTENTS.
Page.
Introduction _ 8p
Climate _ pi
Vegetation - g2
Elevations _ p2
Description of bench marks _ 93
Topography - 96
Geology - j _ _ _ 96
Eocene _ 97
Oligocene - 97
Chattahoochee formation _ 97
Surface exposures of the Chattahoochee limestone _ 100
Structure _ 101
Miocene _ 104
The Alum Bluff formation _ 104
Typical exposures of the Alum Bluff formation _ 104
Structure _ ; _ _ _ 105
The Choctawhatchee formation _ _ , _ : _ : _ 108
Typical exposures of the Choctawhatchee formation _ 109
Pliocene - : _ 109
Pleistocene » - - - no
Mineral resources _ in
Limestone _ in
Brick clays - in
Fuller’s earth _ 112
Phosphate _ 112
Road materials _ 112
Water supply - _--±. - 112
Springs - 113
Wakulla, Wacissa, Newport and Panacea springs — . - 113
Geologic history of the area described _ 116
Topographic development - 116
Lake basins and lakes _ 118
Large basins with shallow-water lakes - 120
Iamonia basin _ 120
Jackson basin - 121
Lafayette basin - - - 122
Miccosukee basin _ : _ 124
Small relatively deep-water lakes _ 127
Lakes Hall, Overstreet, Bradford and Orchard Pond - 127
General considerations - 129
Direction and course of streams - 129
Topographic features - 130
Stream development - I32
St. Marks drainage system - - - 133
Wakulla drainage system - - - 136
Physiogarphic features - I37
86
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS. 87
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PLATES.
Page.
PI. 6. Fig. 1. Cut in public road near Thomas City, Jefferson County _ 136
Fig. 2. Wakulla Springs in Wakulla County _ 136
PI. 7. Fig. 1. Flint rock in the Pin Hook section - - - 136
Fig. 2. Wacissa Springs in Jefferson County - 136
FI. 8. Miccosukee Basin - - - 136
TEXT-FIGURES.
Fig. 2. Sketch map of West Florida _ 88
Fig. 3. Geologic sketch map _ .' _ _ _ _ _ 98
Fig. 4. Elevation of top surface of Chattahoochee limestone _ , _ 103
Fig. 5. Minor structural features due to solution in the limestone - 106
Fig. 6. Sketch map of Lake Lafayette _ 123
Fig. 7. Sketch map of Miccosukee Basin _ 125
Fig. 8. Topography around Orchard Pond _ 129
Fig. 9. Sketch map of lake basins - 131
Fig. 10. Sketch map of Lake Jackson - 131
Fig. 11. St. Marks drainage system reconstructed _ 134
Fig. 12. St. Marks drainage system _ 135
Fig. 13. Wakulla drainage system _ 136
MAPS.
Map showing contour lines - 100
Map of Leon, Wakulla and Jefferson counties _ _ _ 100
GEOLOGY BETWEEN THE OCKLOCKNEE AND
AUCILLA RIVERS IN FLORIDA.
E. H. SELLARDS.
INTRODUCTION.
LOCATION AND AREA
The area to which this report relates lies between the Ocklocknee
and Aucilla rivers, and extends from the Florida-Georgia state line
to the Gulf of Mexico (map, fig. 2). Three counties are included,
namely, Leon, Jefferson and Wakulla. The area of Leon County
is approximately 730 square miles or 467,200 acres, that of Jefferson
593 square miles or 379,520 acres, and that of Wakulla, 601 square
miles or 389,640 acres, making a total area of 1,924 square miles or
1,231,360 acres. Leon County was established December 29, 1824,
and Jefferson County January 20, 1827, under the territorial gov¬
ernorship of William P. Duval. The County of Wakulla was
established March ix, 1843, under the second territorial governor¬
ship of Richard K. Call. The three counties are thus among the
oldest counties of the State, having been established while Florida
was still a Territory.
The history of the settlement and subsequent development of
Leon County dates from about the time of the purchase of Florida
from Spain in 1821. The area known as Florida at one time ex¬
tended as far west as the Mississippi River and included approxi¬
mately the southern half of what are now the states of Alabama and
Mississippi. That portion from the Atlantic Ocean west to the
Apalachicola River was known as East Florida, while that from the
Apalachicola to the Mississippi River was known as West Florida.
St. Augustine and Pensacola were the respective seats of govern¬
ment.
General Andrew Jackson was appointed Military Governor of
the Floridas upon the purchase from Spain and served as such until
1822. During this year Jackson resigned and President Monroe
appointed William P. Duval as first Territorial Governor. It was
in June, 1822, that the first meeting of the Legislative Council, con¬
sisting of thirteen men who assisted the Governor, was held at Pen¬
sacola. The following year in May the council met at St. Augus-
89
90 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY — ‘NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
tine and it was at this time decided, since East and West Florida
were now under one government, to appoint a commission to select
a site for the permanent capital. Two commissioners were ap¬
pointed, one from St. Augustine and one from Pensacola.
The territory designated to be examined for the permanent loca¬
tion of the new capital lay between the Chipola and the Suwannee
rivers. Accordingly in October, 1823, the two commissioners met
at St. Marks, a most central point and a very important port at that
time. The selection of Tallahassee, yet practically a wilderness
and just vacated by the Indians, was soon made. It was necessary,
however, for the commissioners to visit the chiefs of the two bands
of Seminole Indians, who were camped near what is now known as
Lake Lafayette and obtain, if possible, their consent and agreement
to these plans. Entire approval, it seems, was withheld until the
following year, when Governor Duval visited them and obtained
their confidence, and acquiescence. Accordingly in 1824 the city of
Tallahassee was surveyed and the first house was built that year. A
log cabin erected on the southeast corner of the present capitol
grounds served as the Capitol Building, and it was here that the
first meeting of the Legislative Council in Tallahassee was held.*
Jefferson County, named for Thomas Jefferson, the third Presi¬
dent of the United States, was organized soon after the establish¬
ment of Leon County, of which it was formerly a part. Monti-
cello, named for the Virginia home of President Jefferson, became
the county seat, and was surveyed in 1828.*!* The new county was
early settled by people, from the more northerly southern states
many coming from Virginia and South Carolina. That this county,
too, had e.arlier been inhabited by the Indians is seen from the
present day names such as Aucilla, Miccosukee, Wacissa and Wau-
keenah.
Agriculture was the main pursuit of the first settlers in both of
the counties, and its development increased steadily with the in¬
crease of population. The rolling uplands of the northern portion
of these counties were early under cultivation. Cotton was the
main product and this was extensively grown by slave labor. St.
Marks and Newport were the principal points of shipment for the
*A History of Florida, by Caroline Mays Brevard.
tSoil Survey of Jefferson County, Florida, p. 7, U. S. Department of Agri¬
culture, Advance Sheet, Field Operations of the Bureau of Soils, 1908.
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS.
91
agricultural products of this area, and these remained important
ports until the building of railroads, which diverted travel by over¬
land routes.
The favorable location of Wakulla county, bordering as it does
on the Gulf of Mexico, permitted its early settlement by seafaring
people. As early as 1718 the Spaniards built a fort at Port Leon,
two miles south of St. Marks, giving to it the name of San Marcos
de Apalache. Remains of the old fort may still be seen. During
the settlement of the area under discussion St. Marks held a very
important position, that of port of shipment and of entry for a large
territory. The country lying to the north produced cotton and
other staple products, and St. Marks together with Newport re¬
ceived the bulk of this for shipment. Public roads were built and
improved in order to make the transportation into these ports less
difficult. The volume of business carried on between the ports in
this county and the counties lying northward, however, merited and
induced quicker and more satisfactory transportation. Accord¬
ingly in the year 1836 General R. K. Call, then Governor of Florida,
built the first railroad in the State, from Tallahassee to St. Marks,
which is said to be the third oldest railroad in the United States.
At the present time the industries of this county include farming,
stock raising, lumbering and turpentining, as well as fishing.
CLIMATE
Records on temperature and rainfall are available at the Talla¬
hassee Station from the Lhiited States Weather Bureau. This
station probably may be accepted as fairly representative of the area
covered by this report. The average for rainfall and temperature
at Tallahassee are based on records from 1891 to 1903.*
The annual mean temperature at Tallahassee, in Leon County,
is 67 degrees Fahrenheit. The mean for the four seasons of the year
is as follows : Winter, 53 ; Spring, 67 ; Summer, 80 ; Fall, 68. The
absolute maximum summer heat recorded at this station is 97 F.
The minimum winter temperature recorded is -2° F.
The annual mean rainfall at Tallahassee is 58.2 inches. This is
distributed throughout the year as follows: January, 3.5 inches;
February, 4.8 inches; March, 5.9 inches; April, 2.7 inches; May,
*Climatology of the United States, by Alfred Judson Henry, Bull. Q, U. S.
Dept. Agriculture.
92 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
3.6 inches; June, 6.8 inches; July, 8 inches; August, 7.1 inches;
September, 5.1 inches; October, 3.7 inches; November, 2.9 inches;
December, 4.1 inches.
VEGETATION
The rolling uplands of the northern part of this area, although
largely cleared at the present time, supported originally a mixed
timber growth, including short-leaf pine and many hard-wood
deciduous trees, such as red-oak, hickory, dog-wood, magnolia and
live-oak. The chief timber growth of the level lands, particularly
in the southern part of the area, is long-leaf pine. In the flat-woods
the undergrowth associated with this pine is chiefly saw-palmetto,
while in the well drained land the palmetto is wanting. The lime¬
stone belt of Wakulla County includes a considerable area of ham¬
mock land supporting a mixed largely deciduous timber growth.
When studied in detail the vegetation of this area may be
divided into several more or less well-marked vegetation types, and
in his report on the vegetation of Northern Florida, published in the
sixth annual report of this Survey, Dr. R. M. Harper has indicated
eight vegetation types within this area. The plants characterizing,
each type are there listed.
ELEVATIONS
The only precise levels available in this area are bench marks
established by the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey and by the U. S.
Geological Survey. These are placed at intervals across the area
from east to west following the line of the Seaboard Air Line Rail¬
way, and from Tallahassee northwest following the Georgia, Florida
and Alabama Railway. In addition to these precise levels, lines of
levels have been made recently along some of the public roads, either
by the State, through the Department of Roads, or by the County,
through the County Engineers. The profiles and levels of railroads
have also been available in determining elevations. Where no
other levels were available the anaeroid barometer has been used to
some extent, especially a number of readings checked by barograph
made during the summer of 1917 by Dr. Oliver B. Hopkins. The
levels on the public roads in Leon County were made in part during
1916 by, or under the direction of Mr. J. W. Jones, then County
Engineer, and in part during 1916 and 1917 by, or under the direc-
OCKLOCKNEE -AND AUCILLA RIVERS..
93
tion of Mr. B. E. Reed, County Engineer. Those on the road
which leads east from Tallahassee have been for the most part
checked by the State Department of Roads. The levels on the pub¬
lic roads of Jefferson County were made during 1917 by Mr. J. W.
Jones, County Engineer. The levels thus obtained have afforded
material assistance in the study of the topography and geology, and
the writer wishes to express his appreciation for the assistance thus
received from these various sources, which has very much facilitated
the preparation of this report. The line of levels from Lake Jack-
son to Orchard Pond and from Lloyd to the sinks near Lake Micco-
sukee, as well as some other levels, to determine important points,
were made by the writer for this report. Mr. H. Gunter has
assisted not only in making these levels, but also in the general field
work as well as in making the maps and compiling data for the
report.
The following list includes a description of the bench marks that
have been established upon precise levels, within this area. The
location of these benches is also approximately indicated on the map
which accompanies this report. The other elevations shown on the
map, although not precise levels, are sufficiently exact to serve a
useful purpose in topographic and geologic studies. Aside from
locating bench marks the plan has been followed of entering on the
map, so far as practicable, maximum and minimum elevations, thus
indicating the hills and the valleys crossed by the lines of levels.
DESCRIPTION OF BENCH MARKS.
Greenville (in Madison County). In the south face of the brick building
opposite the Seaboard Air Line Railway station*. Elevation _ _ _ 99.376 feet
About two and one-half miles west of Greenville, near mile post 126; 26 feet
north of the Seaboard Air Line Railway trackst. Elevation _ 93.015 feet
About 4 Id miles west of Greenville, in fence corner at road crossing; 586
feet east of mile post 128; 26 feet north of Seaboard Air Line Railway tracksf.
Elevation - - - - - - - - _ i _ ,91.424 feet
About one-half mile east of Aucilla, at the first telegraph pole east of a cut;
26 feet south of the Seaboard Air Line Railway trackst. Elevation _ 95.374 feet
Aucilla, 244 feet west of the Seaboard Air Line Railway station, just outside
the fence corner west of the first road west of the stationtf. Elevation 82.592 feet
About three miles west of Aucilla, at mile post 134, 26 feet north of Sea¬
board Air Line Railway trackst. Elevation - ,84.478 feet
About five miles west of Aucilla, at mile post 136, 26 feet north of Seaboard
Air Line Railway trackst. Elevation _ ; - - - _ - ,-88.589 feet
94 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
Drifton, about opposite end , of Seaboard Air Line Railway station, near
telegraph pole, 26 feet south of tracks+f. Elevation _ 129.744 feet
Braswell, 130 feet northeast of the Seaboard Air Line Railway station, near
telegraph pole, about 160 feet north of the main trackf. Elevation 189.540 feet
About six miles west of Drifton, about 650 feet east of mile post 144, near
road crossing, 26 feet south of Seaboard Air Line Railway trackf. Elevation
148.687 feet
Lloyd, about 492 feet east of S. A. L. Ry. station ; 82 feet west of road
crossing; 26 feet south of S. A. L. Ry. tracksff. Elevation-^ _ 80.325 feet
Lloyd, opposite the Seaboard Air Line Railway station; 33 feet south of the
main track+f. Elevation _ : _ 82.605 feet
About three miles west of Lloyd, at mile post 150, about 26 feet north of
S. A. L. Ry. trackf. Elevation _ _ _ 70.889 feet
Ch'aires, about 246 feet west of S. A. L. Ry. station; 50 feet south of the
main trackf. Elevation _ 58.215 feet
Lake Lafayette, about seven miles east of Tallahassee, at mile post 158;
26 feet north of the S. A. L. Ry. tracksf. Elevation _ 49.009 feet
About 3J/ 2 miles east of Tallahassee, about a half mile east of mile post 162;
13 feet east of a road crossing; 26 feet north of the S. A. L. Ry. tracksf. Ele¬
vation - _ — - - 89.386 feet
Tallahassee, in the southwest footing of the S. A. L. Ry. water tank near the
passenger station ; bench mark is the top of an iron anchor bolt marked by a
cross. Elevation _ 80,269 feet
Tallahassee, in the southeast corner of the Supreme Court Building*. Ele¬
vation — - - 1 88. no feet-
Tallahassee, in the northeast corner of the State Capitol Building*. Ele¬
vation _ 214.931 feet
Tallahassee, in the southeast corner of the brick building used by the State
Savings Bank*. Elevation - - 216.040 feet
About four miles west of Tallahassee, near private road crossing, about %
mile west of mile post 169; 26 feet north of S. A. L. Ry. trackf. Eleva¬
tion _ 65.968 feet
About 7^2 miles west of Tallahassee, near a private road crossing, about 1-3
mile west of mile post 172; 26 feet south of S. A. L. Ry. trackf. Eleva¬
tion _ 135.836 feet
*This type of bench mark is the red metal disk designed by the Coast and
Geodetic Survey, lettered “U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, B. M. $250 fine or
imprisonment for disturbing this mark.” The disk is 3 inches in diameter, with
a 3-inch tenon upon the back for setting it, and is set in cement flush with a
horizontal or vertical surface. In the latter case a horizontal mark cut on it, or
the horizontal mark of a cross, is the bench mark.
fA standard disk like that described above set in the top of a stone or
cement post about 4 feet long and with a rectangular top 4 to 8 inches on a side,
projecting about 6 inches above ground.
ff A 3-inch aluminum or bronze cap riveted upon a 3-inch iron pipe, set in
the ground, 5 to 6 inches being exposed above the ground. A cross cut in the
center of the top is the bench mark. (U. S. Geological Survey bench mark).
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS.
95
About zlA miles northwest from the Georgia, Florida and Alabama Railway
station in Tallahassee, about 1344 feet northwest of mile post 53; 98 feet west
of a private road crossing; 30 feet north of G. F. & A. Ry. tracks. Concrete
post. Elevation - 89.353 feet
About seven miles northwest of Tallahassee, just east of a railroad cut, 26
feet north of G. F. & A. Ry. tracks. Concrete post. Elevation _ 104.147 feet
About 10V2 miles northwest of Tallahassee, about 1-3 mile northwest of mile
post 60, 26 feet north of G. F. & A. Ry. tracks, at west end of railway cut. Con¬
crete post. Elevation - 1 13.950 feet
About 3.7 miles southeast of Havana, at mile post 63 ; 33 feet north of
G. F. & A. Ry. tracks. Concrete post. Elevation - 143.871 feet
Havana (in Gadsden County) about 328 feet west of the G. F. & A. Ry.
station; 6 feet from north fence of a tobacco field; 49 feet south of the G. F.
& A. Ry. main track. Concrete post. Elevation - 247.050 feet
Midway (in Gadsden County) about 164 feet west of the S. A. L. Ry. sta¬
tion; 26 feet south of the main track. Elevation - 196.758 feet
With regard to elevations the area falls into two very pro¬
nounced divisions, a northern upland section and a southern area of
lesser elevation. The northern division, which includes the. greater
part of Leon and rather more than one-half of Jefferson counties,
lies within the belt of red sandy clay hills of northern Florida.
Lakes are very numerous and vary in size from small to large. The
hills rise above the lake basins by gradual slopes, usually from 50 to
100 feet. The southern belt is more uniform and the land surface
rises gradually in passing inland from the coast.
Elevations are indicated on the map of this area and on the
profile across the state from north to south, which accompanies the
map. From the state line to Tallahassee the profile follows the pub¬
lic road known as the Dixie Highway, while from Tallahassee to
the Gulf it follows the St. Marks branch of the Seaboard Air Line
Railway. The highest land is that which extends with some inter¬
ruptions from Tallahassee north about ten miles. This upland
probably represents essentially the original plateau level, having
been but little reduced by erosion. The hill on which the State Cap¬
itol stands at Tallahassee is about 216 feet above sea level, while
the maximum plateau level farther north is about 238 feet above sea
level. Near the northern line of the State the general land level is
somewhat lowered. This is true not only on the line of this profile,
but generally throughout this area. Within this belt near the north,
line of the State are found the two large basins, Iamonia and Mic-
cosukee. (Map and profile inserted following p. 100.)
9 6 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY — ‘NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The topographic forms of this area, the hills, valleys and lake
basins seem on casual inspection to be irregularly placed and en¬
tirely lacking in system. That this is not true, however, becomes
apparent upon close study of the region. Primarily the topographic
forms, the hills and valleys, were determined by normal or usual
surface streams, and to this extent fall into drainage systems with
the usual highland divides and remnants between basins. In addi¬
tion, the land surface has been materially affected by underground
solution in the limestone and subsidence of the overlying materials.
This process of underground solution tends to interrupt the drain¬
age systems through the formation of isolated basins. Such basins
may be formed in established drainage systems. In such cases the
drainage may be in part, at least, reversed, the. water finding its
escape into underlying limestones.
The topography in this area is so directly dependent upon the
geologic structure that an account of the topographic types may be
deferred to follow a description of geology.
GEOLOGY.
The geologic formations found at the surface within this area
are chiefly of Oligocene and Miocene age, although more recent
deposits overlie these in places near the coast. The materials of
these formations include limestone, clays, sands, sandy-clay and
shell marl. The limestones are chiefly those of the Chattahoochee
formation (Oligocene), while the. clays and sandy-clays are for the
most part included within the Alum Bluff formation (Miocene).
Most of the shell marls of this area, as well as some of the sands
above them, represent the Choctawhatchee formation (Miocene).
The following table presents a summary of the formations of
this area, all of which are of Cenozoic age :
Pleistocene. No marine fossiliferous Pleistocene known within the area.
Pliocene. No marine fossiliferous Pliocene recognized.
Upper Miocene. Choctawhatchee formation; shell marls and sand.
Lower Miocene. Alum Bluff formation; calcareous sands and, clays.
Oligocene. Chattahoochee formation; limestones and calcareous clays.
Eocene. Not exposed at the surface, although reached in well drilling.
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS.
97
EOCENE.
Although not exposed at the surface, the Eocene doposits are
reached by deep wells. This has been shown by the samples from
the well of the Bonheur Development Company. This well, which
is located in Wakulla County, 16 miles south of Tallahassee, has
reached, at the time, of publication of this report, a depth of 2000
feet. The. well, which is the deepest in West Florida, is of much
interest, as it shows the presence of a great thickness of calcareous
formations underlying this part of the State, The samples of drill¬
ings from the well have been collected and preserved by Mr. B. M.
Cates, who also presented a set of the drillings to the State Geolog¬
ical Survey. With the. exception of the Oligocene limestones near
the surface, this well passes through Eocene deposits, chiefly lime¬
stones, and apparently is still in Eocene deposits at the depth of
2,000 feet. The well is being drilled as a test well for oil.
OLIGOCENE.
CHATTAHOOCHEE FORMATION.
The type locality of the Chattahoochee formation is at the Chat¬
tahoochee Landing on the Apalachicola River in Gadsden County.
The thickness of the rock exposed in the cut for the public road at
this landing is as much as 65 feet, and the full thickness of the
formation is evidently considerably greater. The. rock of this for¬
mation as exposed at this place consists of rather impure limestone,
the impurity being chiefly clay. The deposits are stratified, ledges
of rock of medium hardness alternating with softer, more clayey or
marly layers. The inclusion of clay in the rock is about in the
proper proportion to form a natural cement, the rock nearby at
River Junction having been used in a limited way for that purpose.
The limestones of the Chattahoochee formation found in Leon,
Jefferson and Wakulla counties, although representing an eastward
extension of this formation, are for the most part harder and more
nearly pure than are. those at Chattahoochee Landing. In Wakulla
County this rock has been used as a material for concrete and for
road building purposes. The following analysis of a sample of this
rock from the Griscom plantation near Lake Iamonia has been made
by the State Chemist. The sample is from a well and was taken at
a depth of 60 feet from the surface.
98
FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
Fig. 3. — Geologic sketch map. 1. Alum Bluff formation (Miocene), with occasional exposures of the
Chattahoochee formation. 2. Chattahoochee formation (Oligocene). 3. Undifferentiated, including the Alum
Bluff and Choctawhatchee formations (Miocene), and possibly some later deposits in the south-western part of
the area. Scale of map: One inch equals 11 miles.
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS.
99
ANALYSIS OF LIMESTONE ROCK FROM LAKE IAMONIA.
Moisture — - - - - _ , _ _ _ _ _ .33%
Insoluble matter _ _ _ _ _ a _ _ _ _ _ 4.67%
Calcium oxide 53.20% equivalent to calcium carbonate _ 95.00%
This limestone underlies the whole area of these three counties.
It has, however, a slow dip to the south which carries it beneath the
surface in the southwestern part of Leon County and in the western
part of Wakulla County, although in the eastern part of Wakulla
County, it remains at the surface to the Gulf of Mexico.
The Ocklocknee River, which forms the western boundary of
Leon and Wakulla counties, flows on this formation from the State
line to somewhat below the crossing of the Seaboard Air Line Rail¬
road, a distance in a direct line of approximately 20 miles. At the
crossing of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad the Ocklocknee River
turns in a direction west of southwest. Had the river continued
south from the station Ocklocknee, it would have remained on or
practically on the limestone to the Gulf. Its south westward course,
however, carries it onto formations of later age. In other words,
the Chattahoochee limestone dips beneath the bed of the river, the
dip of the rock to the south being greater than the gradient, or fall
of the stream, when deflected as it is to the southwest.
The St. Marks River and its tributaries form an indefinite drain¬
age system crossing the area in a general north-south direction.
This stream flows practically on the limestone throughout its whole
course to the Gulf, and is in part a surface stream and in part sub¬
terranean. The history of the development of this drainage system
will be described subsequently. Between the Ocklocknee River on
the west and the Aucilla River on the east there are practically no
surface streams, as the limestone is sufficiently near the surface to
receive the drainage. A partial exception is afforded by the
Wakulla River, which emerges from its subterranean course to form
the great Wakulla Spring. The Sopchoppy River, another excep¬
tion to the general rule of absence of streams, is in the southwestern
part of the area where the limestone has dipped beneath the surface.
The Aucilla River flows near the top surface of this limestone from
the State line to the Gulf.
Throughout practically the whole of Leon County, and a part
of Jefferson and Wakulla Counties, the Chattahoochee limestone
lies buried beneath the Alum Bluff sands and clays, and it is only
IOO FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
through the removal of these overlying materials by erosion that the
rock of this formation has at places become exposed at the surface.
In the eastern part of Wakulla County, and the southern part of
Jefferson County, there is a large area over which this formation
lies at or very near to the surface. The following localities in Leon
County may be recorded at which this formation may be seen at the
surface. The large area in Wakulla and Jefferson Counties over
which it is found at the surface is indicated on the map. (Fig. 3).
SURFACE EXPOSURES OF THE CHATTAHOOCHEE LIMESTONE.
In addition to these surface exposures the limestone rock is
reached occasionally by dug wells and usually by drilled wells. A
well dug on the Griscom plantation on the south side of Lake
Iamonia (Sec. 32, T. 3 N., R. 1 E.) reached the limestone at a
depth of 60 feet or less. In the southern part of Leon County the
surface elevation drops off to a much lower level, and in this area
the limestone is comparatively near the surface. Approaching the
Wakulla County line in the eastern half of the county, limestone
rock lies at the surface, where it has been quarried for road pur¬
poses.
An exposure of limestone rock, which probably represents the
Chattahoochee formation, is found on the Meridian Road near the
Georgia-Florida line, the rock, which is found in a depression in a
field at the side of the road, is hard and compact A few miles
further east a similar limestone, was seen in a sink known locally as
the “Cascades.”
The basins of the large lakes of Leon County, including Iamonia,
Jackson, Miccosukee and Lafayette, all of which are solution basins,
are reduced to or below the level of the limestone. The writer was
fortunate in having an opportunity in the fall of 1909 of examining
these basins at an exceptionally low stage of water. The basins are
drained by sinkholes, which are in fact openings into the limestone.
The principal sink of Lake Iamonia is found adjoining the bluff at
the north side. Limestone rock is exposed near the bottom of this
sink. A similar limestone was observed at the bottom of a sink
in Lake Jackson. In Lake Lafayette basin the limestone rock is
seen at the sink near the northwest corner of the lake. The prin¬
cipal sink of Lake Miccosukee is at the west side of the lake near the
north end. The limestone at this sink is a compact, chalky white
*
. r
n
■*»
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS.
IOI
rock. The overflow from Lake Miccosukee passes to the south and
enters the limestone through a sink a few miles south of the lake
where the limestone is again exposed in Jefferson County. On the
Ocklocknee River this limestone is exposed a short distance above
the crossing of the Seaboard Air Line Railway.
In Wakulla County this limestone lies at or near the surface
throughout practically all the eastern half of the county. The
western boundary of the limestone rock in this country, leaving the
Gulf Coast near Shell Point, passes north probably a little east of
Medart and west of Crawfordville, entering Leon County near or a
little, east of Hilliardville. Although underlying the west half of
the county, the limestone lies below the surface. The limestone
rock in this area is for the most part hard and compact and is often
found as boulders at the surface.
Throughout the southern part of Jefferson County, the limestone
lies at or very near the surface, while flinty and indurated phases of
the rock which resist erosion frequently lie on the surface, and in
places have, accumulated forming masses of surface rock. In the
northern part of Jefferson County the conditions are similar to those
of northern Leon County. The limestone is covered by later for¬
mations, and is exposed only in depressions and sinks, although it is
frequently reached in well drilling.
Although limited in extent, these exposures in Leon County and
in the northern part of Jefferson County, together with the larger
surface exposures in Wakulla County and in the southern part of
Jefferson County are sufficient to show that the Chattahoochee
limestone underlies the whole area at no great depth.
STRUCTURE.
As an aid in the study of structure it becomes important to
record, so far as possible, the elevation of exposures of the succes¬
sive formations. Such data, however, must be regarded as ap¬
proximate. First of all a part of the formation may have been
removed, either by solution or by mechanical erosion, so that what
appears to be the top may in reality be somewhat or considerably'
below the top. Moreover, the lack of a detailed topographic map,
or other adequate series of exact levels adds to the difficulty of
studies in the structure of the formations.
Of the formations exposed within the area covered by this re-
102 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY — NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
port, the most serviceable in the study of structure, perhaps, is
the Chattahoochee limestone. North of Lake Iamonia this rock
has been found to lie in the' Thompson well, Sec. 23, R. 1 E., T. 3 N.
as high as 138 feet above sea level. In a well on the Hutchinson
place, about two miles further east, the top of the rock was reached
at an elevation of 112 feet, while a few miles further east, in a well
at Stringer’s store, north of Lake Miccosukee, the rock was found
at an elevation of 1 19 feet above sea. Passing to the south the rock
is found at lower elevations. On the south shore of Lake. Iamonia
it has been reached at elevations of 98 and 90 feet, respectively, and
on the north bank of Lake Jackson at 92 feet above sea. At the
crossing of the Seaboard Air Line Railway, on the Ocklocknee
River, the rock lies at an elevation of 66 feet above sea. South of
Lake Lafayette the rock is found at about 54 feet above sea level.
At Lloyds it is reached in wells at about 57 feet above sea, while on
Burnt Mill creek, somewhat south of Lloyds, it is exposed in a sink
at an elevation of 41 feet above sea. Passing farther south it drops
as already noted gradually to sea level. In determining direction
and rate of dip, however, it is necessary to use the data with care.
Owing to disintegration beneath the surface, wells may pass much
below the level of this rock without encountering it. On the small
map, figure 4, the top surface of the rock is indicated at a number
of localities, the elevations having been determined by lines of levels
from known bases. While the top surface of the limestone is ex¬
tremely irregular, owing to disintegration, there is evidence of a
slow dip to the south. The greatest elevation above sea observed
for this rock is 138 feet in the well north of Lake Iamonia, and at
this place is about 40 miles north of the Gulf, where the rock lies as
sea level, there is indicated an average dip to the south of about
three and one-half feet per mile. In the Aldrich well near Talla¬
hassee the rock lies as high at least as 89 feet above sea, and possibly
somewhat higher. On the Ocklocknee River, due west, the rock
lies at about 66 feet above sea, while to the east at Lloyds, as already
noted, it lies at about 57 feet above sea. These elevations must be
used with care, although the exposure on the Ocklocknee River
apparently is near the top surface of the formation, since the rock
disappears below water level a few miles farther down stream, and
is succeeded by the Alum Bluff formation. These records , may
indicate a slight dip to the southwest, as well as a general dip to the
south.
4$,
•Map showing elevation above sea level of top surface of the Chattahoochee Limestone.
104 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
MIOCENE.
THE ALUM BLUFF FORMATION.
The Alum Bluff formation which lies next above the Chattahoo¬
chee, includes clays, fuller’s earth, calcareous and phosphatic sands,
and sandy clays. Formerly the red sandy clays at the surface of
this area were, supposed to be separable from the Alum Bluff and
to belong to the Lafayette formation. It does not seem, however,
that there is any definite or well defined break within this deposit.
The difficulty in determining the age of the surface materials is due
to the fact that they contain no fossils, or if fossils were present
they have disappeared, probably by solution. The red sands lying
near the surface in this area represent in fact a zone of partial
decay. If there is a persistent dividing line, such as could be used
in defining a formation, between the superficial materials and the
known fossiliferous Alum Bluff deposits beneath, it has not been
detected, and the whole deposits may for the present be referred to
the Alum Bluff formation.
As thus defined the Alum Bluff formation in this area attains a
thickness of from ioo to 150 feet. These deposits underlie and
chiefly make up the red hills of Leon County. Near the southern
margin of Leon County and over most of the eastern half of
Wakulla County this formation has largely disappeared through
disintegration, the limestone of the next older formation, as already
noted, lying near the surface. In the southwestern part of Leon
and the western part of Wakulla counties, this formation, although
present, dips below the surface and is concealed by the later forma¬
tions.
TYPICAL EXPOSURES OF THE ALUM BLUFF FORMATION.
Perhaps the best single exposure in Leon County at the present
time of beds referred to the Alum Bluff formation is found on the
Bainbridge road four miles northwest of Tallahassee. The section
which is seen in the cut of the public road affords an exposure of
about 38 feet and is as follows :
Finely laminated clayey sands, passing at the top into the soil - 8 feet
Cross-bedded clayey sands often with white partings - 25 feet
Greenish clay which upon weathering breaks into small pieces - 3 feet
Yellow sands at the base of the exposure - 2 feet
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS.
105
The materials seen in this exposure are characteristic of those of
the northern part of Leon and Jefferson counties. Cross-bedding
in the sands is frequently observed. White partings between the
layers of sand is common to the area. A band or stratum of green¬
ish clay such as that seen in this section is of very general occur¬
rence. The laminated appearance sometimes seen in these deposits
is shown in the photograph of plate 6, which represents a cut in
the public road a mile north of Thomas City, in Jefferson County.
On the Ocklocknee River occasional exposures of this formation
may be seen from the. crossing of the Seaboard Air Line Railway
for about 15 miles down stream. One of the good exposures is that
found at Jackson Bluff. This formation is shown also on many
of the small streams tributary to the Ocklocknee River. The mill
site on Freeman Creek at the. crossing of the Jackson Bluff road
rests on the greenish sands of this formation. The fuller-s earth
horizon has been detected on a small stream entering the Ocklock¬
nee River on property belonging to the Allen estate. This is prob¬
ably near the north side of section 36, R. 3 W., T. 1 S.
Other exposures of deposits which are tentatively referred to
this formation are seen in all road cuts in north Leon and Jefferson
counties, although usually much altered in the shallow cuts by disin¬
tegration. Upon being affected by the processes of decay the
materials of this formation undergo well marked and characteristic
changes. The clay-producing minerals partly disintegrate; the
small constituent of iron becomes oxidized and stains the formation
red. Another early effect of decay is the obliteration of the strati¬
fication lines giving the formation the massive appearance seen in
all shallow cuts. In an early stage of decay the material becomes
mottled and blotched, being iron-stained in streaks and patches
where surface waters have permeated. Where more completely
decayed and more thoroughly permeated by surface waters, the
material becomes uniformly red, and is usually more or less loamy
in character, and thus passes into soil.
STRUCTURE.
The Alum Bluff formation, so far as is known, is conformable
with the Chattahoochee formation and may therefore be expected to
have the same structure. As in the case of the. Chattahoochee lime¬
stone, the formation probably has a slow dip to the south. This is
indicated by the fact that on the Ocklocknee River the formation
I06 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT,
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OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS.
107
passes below water level, thus indicating a dip in excess of the
gradient of the stream. Within the formation itself bedding lines
can be followed to some extent, and when not disturbed either by dis¬
integration or by slumping the lines are found to be approximately
horizontal with probably a slight south dip, scarcely perceptible in
any one exposure and recognizable only when a given stratum is
compared in successive exposures.
One of the most easily recognizable divisions of the formation
is a stratum of blue clay, which, although having a thickness of only
about three feet, is very persistent over this area. This clay is
seen in the following exposures in which the actual level of the clay
has been determined :
Bainbridge road, 4 miles north-west of Tallahassee _ .170 ft.
Meridian road, 5% miles north of Tallahassee _ - _ 170 ft.
Meridian road, 4 miles north of Tallahassee - 164 ft.
Thomasville road, 4 miles north-east of Tallahassee _ _ _ _i6i ft.
Thomasville road, 7 miles north-east of Tallahassee _ 159 ft.
St. Augustine road, near east city limits of Tallahassee _ - _ 153 ft.
Bellair road, about 1 mile south of Tallahassee - 151 ft.
St. Augustine road, 7V2 miles east of Tallahassee _ _ _ 147 ft.
In recording the level of this clay it is necessary to make sure
that the deposits are in place and that the elevation has not been low¬
ered either by subsidence due to underground solution, or by creep
or slump down the slope of the hill. The clay stratum is a line of
weakness in the deposit, and creeping and slumping frequently
take place along this plane. Thus at the locality referred to on the
Meridian road 5^2 miles north of Tallahassee, this clay stratum,
although having a thickness probably of only about three feet, is
seen in the exposure for a distance along the slope of the hill of 380
feet, and through an apparent vertical interval of 22 feet. At many
other localities, also, the clay has an apparent thickness on the slope
of the hill which is obviously greater than its actual thickness. Sim¬
ilarly the overlying sands following the slope of the hill seem to
have a far greater thickness than they actually have in vertical sec¬
tion. On a hill where the formations are known to be affected by
slumping, only those strata which are undisturbed can be used in
determining the thickness of the section or the level at which the
stratum lies.
On Little River in Gadsden County, west of Midway, a shell
marl phase of the Alum Bluff formation is exposed at the public
108 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
road crossing at an elevation of about 70 or 80 feet above sea level.
On the Sopchoppy River, about 30 miles south, essentially the same
phase of the formation is exposed practically at tide water level.
The dip of the Alum Bluff formation to the south is thus seen to be
2y2 or 3 feet per mile.
APPARENT STRUCTURE WITHIN THE ALUM BLUFF FORMATION.
Within the Alum Bluff formation in railroad and public road
cuts is frequently observed what at first appears to be minor struc¬
tural features, including very small, although pronounced, anticlines
and synclines, as well as faults and other distortions of the strata.
These structural features are perhaps best seen at the present time
In Leon County on the St. Augustine road, five and one-half miles
east of Tallahassee, although similar structures may be seen at many
■other localities. (See Fig. 5, p. 106.)
Striking as these structures are, it is probable that they are
merely incidental to the disintegration of the formation. Solution
In the underlying limestone in this area has resulted in the subsi¬
dence of overlying materials. On a small scale this is seen associ¬
ated with the formation of sinks, and on a larger scale in the forma¬
tion of solution basins, such as those of the many large and small
lakes of this area. This disintegration by solution will be more
fully described in connection with the topographic history of the
region.
It is to be observed that these apparent structural features are
found only in localities where the general land surface has been
lowered through erosion, including underground solution accom¬
panied by the formation of sinks and basins. In all. cuts made into
this formation, where it has not obviously been disturbed by sink
formations or by slumping and settling, the bedding planes are hori¬
zontal or nearly so.
THE CHOCTA WH A TCHEE FORMATION
The Choctawhatchee formation, which is of upper Miocene age,
Includes marine shell marls and marine sands. The type locality
of this formation is at Alum Bluff on the Apalachicola River. In
the section at this bluff 31 feet are referred to this formation, while
overlying deposits more than 100 feet thick, consisting of coarse
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS. IO9
sands, may also belong in whole or in part to the same formation.
In Leon and Wakulla counties the deposits appear to be thin,
.although there is little opportunity to measure the formation as a
whole. The area in Leon and Wakulla counties known to be cov-
>ered by this formation, as indicated on the map, is limited and is
■confined to the. belt of country near the Ocklocknee River. The
formation is not known to extend into Jefferson County.
Inasmuch as the marine phase of this formation extends into
the southwestern part of this area, it may be suggested that possibly
the uppermost sands and clays of the northern part of the area rep¬
resent the shoreward margin of the same formation. This is, per¬
haps, a possibility, although in the absence of any definite proof it
-seems unsafe to assume a complete. Miocene submergence of the
whole area.
TYPICAL EXPOSURES
Perhaps the best single exposure of the Choctawhatchee forma¬
tion within this area is that seen at Jackson Bluff, where six or seven
feet of shell marl represent the marine fossiliferous phase of the
formation. This marl is also seen at a number of other places far¬
ther down stream, as well as in many of the small streams entering
the Ocklocknee River. The presence of this marl has been noted
on Duggar Creek in Section 9, T. 1 S., R. 2 W. ; also near Hugh
Black’s sawmill on Mill Creek.* The shell marl passes below the
hed of the stream before reaching the Gulf Coast.
PLIOCENE.
No marine Pliocene deposits have been recognized within this
area. On New River, however, in Franklin County, the writer
found a limestone bed containing fossils which have been identified
hy Dr. T. W. Vaughan as probably representing the Miocene or the
Pliocene. f If the. Pliocene is present at this locality in Franklin
County it is very probable that deposits of this period extend
into the southwestern part of Wakulla county. The red sandy
clays of Leon and Jefferson counties were, as already stated, for¬
merly placed in the Lafayette formation, and at that time were
*Fla. Geol. Surv. Rept., Second Ann. Rept., p. 121, 1909.
tPersonal letter of Dec. 16, 1915.
IIO FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
assumed to be probably of Pliocene age. In view of the lack of
definite information as to these superficial deposits, it is difficult to
assert that they may not be. a part of a Pliocene formation. How¬
ever, such an assumption seems unwarranted, inasmuch as there is
no clear evidence to show that they are not a part of the Alum Bluff
formation which is known to extend over this area.
PLEISTOCENE.
The fossil remains of the land animals of the Pleistocene period
have been found at several localities within this area. From
Wakulla Springs has been taken numerous proboscidian bones. A
number of bones of the mastodon or the elephant' taken from this
spring many years ago are. said to have been lost by shipwreck while
being transported to Washington. No fossiliferous marine Pleis¬
tocene beds have been detected, although such may be expected near
the coast, especially in the southwestern part of this area, where the
dip carries the older formations below the surface.
The harbors of the Gulf Coast of Florida represent with little
doubt flooded stream valleys* and indicate a slight submergence
from a higher elevation which occurred probably during the Pleis¬
tocene period. The Wakulla River was probably at one time a
tributary to the St. Marks River, although at the present time the
two streams unite, at tide water. The Sopchoppy River was like¬
wise probably formerly a tributary to the Ocklocknee River,
although at present it flows into Ocklocknee Bay, which is the
flooded mouth of the Ocklocknee River.
*The Geological History of Harbors. By N. S. Shaler, U. S. Geol. Survey,
13th Ann. Rpt, pt. 2, 1893.
i
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS.
Ill
MINERAL RESOURCES.
LIMESTONE .
The limestones of this area have been used for road building and
for various miscellaneous purposes. These limestones, all of which
are of the Chattahoochee formation, are found chiefly in the south¬
eastern part of Leon, the eastern part of Wakulla and the southern
part of Jefferson counties. The formation, however, comes to the
surface at places in the northern part of Leon and Jefferson coun¬
ties. Much of the rock used in Wakulla County is in the form of
hard boulders lying on the surface. Although much of this rock is
found at the surface in the southern part of Jefferson County, it is
not being utilized at present, owing to a lack of transportation.
At Burns, in Wakulla County, the limestone rock of this forma¬
tion has been produced for many years by B. M. and W. C. Cates.
The rock is either picked up over the surface of the ground, or is
obtained by shallow quarries. It is sold in bulk, or is broken for
.concrete material. In recent years also the rock has been ground
and sold for agricultural purposes. At the present time this rock is
being quarried in Wakulla County by G. W. Rhodes, and is used
in building roads.
BRICK-CLAYS.
No brick is being manufactured within this area at the present
time, although it is probable that some of the clays are. suitable for
making common building brick. Two brick-making plants, the
Ocklocknee Brick Company and the Tallahassee Pressed Brick
Company, are each located just across Leon County line in Gadsden
County. Many years ago building brick was made from the red
sandy clays near Tallahassee.
A sample of clay from the property of W. M. Carraway, near
Wacissa in Jefferson County, has been tested in the United States
Clay Testing Laboratory at Pittsburg, Pa. The report on this
sample taken from Press Bulletin No. 7 of the Florida Geological
Survey, is as follows :
Sample No. 21. Jefferson County. Medium plastic with fair working prop¬
erties; water <?f plasticity, 32.6%; no drying difficulties; linear drying shrinkage,
9 .77% ; linear ’burning shrinkage, at 990 degrees C., 0.22% ; at mo C., 1.09% ; at
1230 C., 0.55%; at 1320 C., 0.49%; buff burning; per cent porosity, at 990 de-
1 12 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY — ‘NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
grees C., 35-6% ; at 1020 C, 34-0% ; at 1050 C., 33.2% ; at 1080 C., 33.4% ; at 1110
C, 33-8%; at 1140 C., 33-6%; at 1170 C., 33-6%; at 1200 C, 33.7% ; at 1230 C.,
32.8% ; at 1260 C., 34.4% ; at 1290 C, 33.7% ; at 1320 C., 33.5%. A sandy buff
burning clay which retains an open porous structure at temperatures up to 1320
degrees C. (2408 degrees F.) . May have some use in the manufacture of soft
porous common building brick.
FULLER’S EARTH.
The fuller’s earth deposits which are mined in Gadsden County
extend into the southwestern part of Leon County and the western
part of Wakulla County. The known exposures of fuller’s earth
are found chiefly near the Ocklocknee River in the southwestern
part of Leon County. That they have not been worked is due
probably chiefly to the lack of suitable transportation.
1
• PHOSPHATE.
No workable phosphate beds are known in this area. The Alum
Bluff formation, however, carries some phosphate rock, although
probably not in commercial quantities. Gray calcareous phosphatic
sandstone, chiefly as nodules or interrupted layers, are of frequent
occurrence throughout this area. Occasional samples of this rock,
derived probably from near the base of the Alum Bluff formation,
have been found to contain as much as from 50 to 70 per cent of
calcium phosphate. As a rule, however, the sand rock is much
lower in phosphate. Hard rock phosphate has been reported also
from near Wacissa in Jefferson County.
ROAD MATERIALS.
The principal road building materials of this area are sandy
clays and limestones. The clays are very generally distributed over
the northern part of Leon and Jefferson counties. The limestone,
as has already been stated, is found chiefly south of the clay belt in
the southern part of Jefferson and in the eastern part of Wakulla
counties. At the present time both of these materials are. being
extensively used, the sand clays for the roads in the northern part
and the limestone rock for the roads in the. southern part of the area.
WATER SUPPLY.
The water supply in this area is obtained from springs and wells.
The wells from which the city water supply at Tallahassee is taken
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS. II3
are from 400 to 717 feet deep and terminate in the Eocene lime¬
stones. The wells at Monticello are reported to be from 400 to 800
feet deep. Wells supplying water to private estates in Leon and
Jefferson counties are for the most part from 200 to 350 feet deep.
Shallow dug or driven wells are. used in many localities and obtain
water either from the sands or clays or from the limestones.
SPRINGS.
The principal springs of this area are the large limestone springs
of the belt bordering the coast. The area farther north receives
the heavy rainfall which largely disappears into the overlying for¬
mations and reappears through the large springs near sea level.
Aside from the limestone springs of the coastal belt there are
numerous soft water springs in the upland section. These smaller
springs receive, their supply of water from the sands and clays lying
above the limestones.
WAKULLA SPRING.
Wakulla Spring is the largest of the springs of this area and is
second in amount of flow only to Silver and Blue Springs in Marion
County, while in the size of the basin and the depth of the water it
probably exceeds all other springs of Florida. The spring is the
immediate source of Wakulla River, which flows into the Gulf at
St. Marks. In February and March, 1917, many of the large
springs of the State were measured by the State Geological Survey
in co-operation with the U. S. Geological Survey. The flow of
Wakulla Spring at that time (Feb. 12), measured at the bridge
three miles below the spring, was found to be 122,000 gallons per
minute. The width of the basin of this spring is about 400 feet,
while the depth of the water in the basin is probably about or some¬
what less than 80 feet. As with many of the limestone springs, the
water is remarkably clear, and objects may be clearly seen at the
bottom of the basin.
WACISSA SPRINGS.
Wacissa Springs in Jefferson County include a group of springs
the combined flow of which make up the Wacissa River, which flows
into the Aucilla River near the Gulf. These springs emerge near
or somewhat above tide water level and are not well confined to a
1 14 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
definite, channel, and hence the flow is difficult to measure. The
combined flow of the springs, however, is great and the stream is
navigable to its source.
NEWPORT SPRINGS.
The Newport Springs are located in the eastern part of Wakulla
County, on the west bank of the St. Marks River and near the vil¬
lage of Newport. The springs here have long been known, and
years ago this was a most attractive and popular watering place.
During recent years the former popularity of this re.sort has been
revived and a great many improvements have been made. The
improvements consist of a good wall or curbing around the spring,
a bathhouse and a number of well arranged cottages. The basin
of the spring is from four to five feet deep and from 15 to 20 feet
in diameter. The water has a decided sulphur odor and has been
bottled for sale. The following analysis of this water made in the
office of the State Chemist, A. M. Henry, analyst.
Constituents.
Chlorine (Ci) _
Carbonate radicle (CO3) _
Bicarbonate radicle (HC03)
Loss on Ignition _
Total dissolved solids -
Parts per
Million.
___ 18.
_ o.
_ 216.
— 70.
— 342.
PANACEA SPRINGS.
Panacea Mineral Springs are located at Panacea, on the Gulf
coast in southern Wakulla County. The springs consist of a group
of several springs within a comparatively small area. The water
from the several springs is said to be different, no two of the springs
furnishing water of the same mineral content. The water .is bottled
for sale. The. springs are a health resort, and hotel accommoda¬
tions are provided for guests. The following analyses of the
waters from springs Number 1 and Number 2 were made by Dr.
V. Coblentz, New York City, November 28, 1898:
Constituents.
Sodium Chloride _
Magnesium Chloride
Spring Number i.
Grains per U. S.
Gallon.
- 135-9/6
_ 15.080
Parts per
Million.
2331-160
258.532
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS. 1 1 5
Calcium Chloride - 3.213
Sodium Sulphate - 8.407
Magnesium Sulphate - 4-441
Calcium Sulphate - 3.213
Calcium Carbonate - 20.475
Ferrous Carbonate - - - 0.882
Magnesium Carbonate _ : _ 1.051
Silicic Acid (Si02) - 0.893
Alumina - Traces
Organic Matter (Loss on Ignition) _ 3.210
Total _ : _ 198.118
Spring Number 2.
Sodium Chloride _
Magnesium Chloride
Calcium Chloride _
Potassium Chloride
Sodium Sulphate —
Magnesium Sulphate
Calcium Sulphate —
Iron Carbonate _
Calcium Carbonate _
Alumina _
Silica _
Total -
23.664
— .IS
0.870
1-452
2.307
3770
0.382
0.672
6.656
0.197
0.348
58.398
55.083
144.128
76.136
55.083
■ 351.021
15.120
18.018
15.309
Traces
55-031
33.96415
405.693
258.532
14-915
24.892
39.550
64.632
6.548
11.520
1 14.109
3-377
5.966
1001.169
In addition to the springs that have been mentioned, there are
numerous smaller springs entering the creeks and rivers which flow
into the Gulf. Some of these springs enter the Gulf below tide
water and are known only by the “boil” of water through the salt
water. Others form an important source of supply to the creeks
and rivers. Among these are springs entering and making up
Spring Creek, near Shell Point, in Wakulla County, and those en¬
tering the St. Marks River.
Il6 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
GEOLOGIC HISTORY.
The geologic history of this region has been indicated in con¬
nection with the description of the formations, and may be very
briefly summarized. During Eocene and Oligocene time marine
conditions prevailed over this part of the Coastal Plain, which were
favorable to the accumulation of a great thickness of marine lime¬
stones. Early in the Miocene there was a gradual change by which
much land material was washed into the ocean, thus resulting in the
accumulation, in shallow waters, of the sand, sandstone and clays
which make up the Alum Bluff formation. This interval, the early
Miocene, is also a time, of the extensive accumulation of phosphate
in the Florida formations. The phosphate, at this time, however,
was disseminated through the formations and was, perhaps, in no
case sufficiently concentrated to form workable deposits, the concen¬
tration into the., at present known, workable beds having taken
place subsequently.*
During the latter part of the Miocene marine shell marls (the
Choctawhatchee formation) accumulated in the southwestern part
of this area, indicating an incursion of the sea at that time. While
minor extensions of the sea over the coastal belt of this area may
have occurred during the Pliocene and Pleistocene, it would seem
that much of the higher lands have been above sea level since the
Miocene, and have thus been subjected through this long period of
time, to the slow but constantly operating agencies of erosion and
disintegration.
TOPOGRAPHIC AND PHYSIOGRAPHIC DEVELOPMENT.
The area to which this report relates presents unique problems in
the development of land forms, and affords a chapter of unusual
interest in topographic and physiographic development. The under¬
lying deposits are very largely marine, and we may safely assume
were deposited continuously over a large extent of the ocean bot¬
tom. When the land was first lifted above sea level, some surface
^Origin of the Hard Rock Phosphate Deposits of Florida, Fifth Annual
Rept., Fla. Geol. Surv. pp 23-80, 1913 ; Pebble Phosphates of Florida, Seventh
Ann. Rept., Fla. Geol. Surv. pp. 25-116, 1915.
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS. 117
irregularities no doubt existed, but certainly no such pronounced
basins and hills as those which are found at the present time. The
striking features in the topography we must assume have developed
■since the area became dry land, and subjected to the modifying influ¬
ences of eroding agencies in contrast to depositional agencies, which
chiefly influence submerged areas. The topography, as it is seen in
this region to-day, including the hills, valleys and many lake basins,
which add so much to the beauty of the landscape, has resulted, we
may believe, from natural agencies acting through a long period of
time and still operating. The topographic and physiographic devel¬
opment is, therefore, a part of the geologic history and includes
chiefly the history of the region after it became dry land.
The topographic forms which result from erosion and disinte¬
gration of the land surface vary in character in keeping with the
variations in the intensity of action of the different eroding agencies,
and also in accordance with variations in the formations which are
subjected to these influences. It thus follows that eroding agencies
are by no means of the same intensity the world over. A warm,
moist climate, accompanied by dense vegetable growth, affords
unusually favorable opportunity for those disintegrating processes
that are promoted by the presence of organic acids and carbon
dioxide gas. An analagous variation in intensity of action charac¬
terizes many of the other agencies of disintegration according to the
varying conditions under which they operate. Moreover, succes¬
sive formations are by no means uniform in composition or in resist¬
ance to agencies of decay. To understand the resulting land forms
it becomes necessary, therefore, to take into consideration both the
character of the formations and the conditions under which the
disintegrating agencies have operated. While the land forms
usually result from a combined action of many agencies, yet the
predominating influence of a single agency, or a group of agencies,
may often be. recognized.
The preceding pages contain a description of the formations
undertying this area, and also a brief account of climate and vegeta¬
tion. Calcareous formations are present either at the surface or
underlying other deposits. Over a considerable part of the area
these rocks are occasionally exposed, and it is only in the south¬
western part of the area that they are so deeply buried as not to
affect the topography. The rainfall is heavy; much of the
drainage is subterranean ; the. native vegetation is for the most part
8
Il8 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
dense ; the processes of decay are rapid, and organic acids are pres¬
ent in the surface water. All of these conditions are favorable to
disintegration by solution. The large amount of water which en¬
ters the earth in the northern part of this area finds its exit through
large springs along the. coast, thus establishing a definite system of
underground circulation.
That underground solution under these conditions is effective
as a disintegrating agency is shown not only by the topographic
forms that have resulted, but also by the character of the water
itself. Upon entering the earth the rain water is practically free of
solids in solution, but upon reappearing from the limestone, it car¬
ries a heavy load of solids in solution. Under the conditions which
prevail in this area solution in the limestone is rapid and the land
forms in the northern and the eastern part of the area owe their
form chiefly to this agency modified by surface wash and other
minor agencies.
LAKE BASINS AND LAKES.
Among the most pronounced of the topographic features of this
area are the numerous large and small basins, many of which are
now occupied by lakes. These basins, the largest of which are
Iamonia, Jackson, Miccosukee and Lafayette, have resulted from
solution in the underlying limestone, accompanied by partial re
moval of the overlying sands and clays. Each basin has an individ¬
ual history which may be . followed to some extent. The lakes and
lake basins are largely confined to the northern part of the area in
Leon and Jefferson counties.
The origin of these lake basins is a part of the history of the
development of the topography of the region. In this development
both mechanical erosion and solution have had a part. A first step
in the process of erosion is the. development of stream channels and
valleys, largely through mechanical erosion. In addition to mechan¬
ical erosion, solution by underground water is effective, especially
in regions underlaid by limestones.
That the amount of limestone carried away in solution in under¬
ground water is great may be determined by the analysis of the
water of some of the large springs coming from the limestone.
From an analysis of water of several springs it has been estimated
that the limestone springs of Florida carry on an average about 219
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS. 119
parts solids in solution per million parts water.* Wakulla Spring
alone flows approximately a million pounds of water per minute
(122,000 gallons). Hence probably as much as 200 pounds of
solids in solution reaches the ocean through this one spring per min¬
ute. It is impossible to estimate the total flow of all springs from
this area or to estimate the total escape of solids in solution through
all springs, but it may be seen that the amount now passing to the
ocean in this way is very considerable for each day in the year.
When it is remembered that this process is not only going on now
but has continued for a very long period of time, the. total amount
of solids so removed may be in a measure at least appreciated as
quite sufficient to account for the solution basins that have been
formed. Of the minerals thus removed calcium carbonate or lime¬
stone greatly predominates, exceeding the combined amount of all
other minerals.
A first effect of solution in the limestone is to develop cavities
through the rock along the line of ready flow of underground water.
These cavities gradually enlarge until the overlying material is no
longer able to support its own weight and caves, thus forming a sink.
The formation of a sink is a first step in the development of the
many basins large and small occupied by these lakes. A sink
usually retains connection with the underlying limestone for some
time after its formation, and water entering the sink escapes into
the limestone. Under these circumstances more or less of the
material lying immediately around the sink is carried by surface
wash through the sink. Moreover, the. large amount of water en¬
tering through the sink results in rapid solution in the limestone of
that immediate vicinity. The result is frequently the formation of
other sinks in proximity to the first. As the sinks become clogged
or partly filled, new sinks form by this proce.ss, continually enlarging
the basin.
The large basins of this type are usually shallow water lakes
which at times become entirely dry. It may be. readily understood,
also, that a basin that at one stage of development is a shallow water
lake may subsequently become permanently dry, the lake having
become, drained by natural agencies. The smaller lakes, on the other
hand, are usually relatively deep water lakes.
*Fla. Geol. Survey, Bull. No. 1, p. 47, 1908.
120 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
LARGE BASINS WITH SHALLOW-WATER LAKES
I AM ONI A BASIN.
Iamonia basin lies near the north line of Leon County. The
basin is irregular in outline, but has an average width of from one
to one and one-half miles. The total length of the lake is from
.twelve to thirteen miles. At its west end the basin connects with the
swamp of the Ocklocknee River. During flood seasons the river
overflows into the lake. Similarly a high stage in the lake results in
an overflow into the river. Small tributary streams enter the lake
from both the north and the south side, as well as from the east end.
The tributaries are small flat-bottomed streams which are dry, ex¬
cept during the rainy season. The lake fluctuates according to the
rainfall. The lake basin when full covers an area of about 6,500
acres. Except at the west end, where it joins the Ocklocknee River,
the basin is largely surrounded by the red clay hills characteristic of
this part of the State. These hills rise to an elevation of from 50
to 100 feet above the. level of the lake.
The sink through which the water escapes from this lake is
found on the north border. Limestone rock, probably of Upper
Oligocene age, is exposed near the bottom of the. sink, the water
escaping through or under these rocks. Above the limestone partly
decayed sandy clays occur. These contain few fossils, although
oyster shells were found in abundance at one locality. The total
depth of the sink below the general level of the lake is not less than
50 feet. The sink is formed, as is usual in this type of lake, facing
■ an abrupt bluff 30 feet or more in height. A considerable, number
of sinks are found around the border of the lake, especially in the
vicinity of the one large sink which receives the drainage of the
lake. The. formation of these sinks is doubtless due to the fact that
the water entering the drainage sink spreads laterally in the under¬
lying limestone and dissolves the rock rapidly. The result is the
formation by subsidence of numerous sinks adjacent to the drainage
sink. The presence of these sinks also indicates the manner of
enlargement of the lake basin, and indicates in each case the direc¬
tion of most rapid enlargement at the present time. At other times
the enlargement by solution and subsidence may have been most
active in some other locality or direction or part of the lake basin.
This lake only occasionally goes entirely dry, and as a result a
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS.
12 1
covering of muck or peat occurs over the greater part of the bottom
of the lake. This deposit of muck reaches a considerable thickness
in such natural depressions as occur over the lake bottom. Beneath
the muck is usually found a deposit of light colored sand and be¬
neath this is the red sandy clay.
Iamonia basin represents apparently a stream valley lowered by
solution and enlarged laterally by subsidence through the formation
of sinks. Originally a small stream tributary to the Ocklocknee
River flowed through this section. In this part of the. country sol¬
uble limestones occur at no great distance from the surface, and in
the course of the natural processes of erosion the stream approached
sufficiently ne.ar this limestone to permit of the formation of sinks
and the escape of the water of the stream through the sinks. The
enlargement of the valley to its present size has proceeded through
the formation and partial filling of successive sinks. As each sink
forms, it carries down to or below the lake level, a certain small area
of land. Moreover, the water passing through the bottom of the
sink carries with it more or less detrital material so that the sur¬
rounding area is somewhat lowered by wash through the sink. In
the course of time other sinks form, while the older sinks become
clogged and usually partly fill up. The direction of active enlarge¬
ment of each lake can be. determined from the location of the recent
sinks. As previously remarked, this rapid enlargement is usually
around the sink which is at present actively receiving the drainage.
The basin of this lake is 85 or 90 feet above sea level.
JACKSON BASIN
Jackson Basin lies near the western border of Leon County,
within one and a half or two miles of the Ocklocknee River. This
lake is irregular in shape, and has a total are.a of about 4,500 acres.
The boundaries of the basin are sharply marked by the surrounding
highlands, which rise 75 to 100 feet above the level of the lake.
Several sinks are found in the southern half of the lake. The
largest of these, known locally as the “lime sink,” is well out in the
basin and in the angle between the north and east arms. An open¬
ing in the bottom of this sink in May, 1907, permitted the, water to
run out, leaving the sink dry, and also draining the lake or such part
of it as was connected with the sinks. An indefinitely defined broad
depression or slough extends to the southeast from the lime sink.
122 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
Several water holes representing old sinks are found along the line
of this depression. A new sink was formed along the. bottom of
the depression about one mile southeast of the lime sink in June,
1907. A compact limestone showed in the bottom of this sink at a
depth of about 25 feet from the surface. At the time this sink was
formed the lake was low, a part of the water having been carried
off through the opening which had been formed in the lime sink a
month earlier. All the. water that could reach the new sink was car¬
ried off in the course of two or three days, leaving the lake dry
except for occasional water holes.
The surface soil in the basin is quite generally a gray sand dark¬
ened by the admixture of organic matter. In the lower parts of the
lake, quite generally covered by water, more or less muck or peat is
found, formed from the accumulation of aquatic vegetation. Sand
lighter in color and lacking the organic matter occurs at a depth of
from 1 or 2 to 3 or 4 feet. Beneath this sand is the usual red
sandy clay.
The basin of this lake lies probably between 75 and 80 feet above
sea level. The lake may have, had an outlet to the Ocklocknee
River passing just east of Lake Jackson station, although at the
present time the lake basin is about 25 feet below the lowest point
in this divide.
LAFAYETTE BASIN
Lafayette Basin lies in the eastern part of Leon County, between
Tallahassee and Chaires. The basin begins three and one-half miles
east of Tallahassee, and extends to within one mile of Chaires, hav¬
ing a total length of about five and one-half miles and a width of
one-half to one mile. An arm of the lake extends north from near
the east end of the lake. The bottom of the basin is nearly level,
with the exception of occasional slight depressions. The tributaries
to the lake are flat-bottomed streams with relatively broad valleys
and no well defined channel. The soil in the stream valleys is a
sandy loam, and the streams are ordinarily dry, carrying water only
during the rainy season.
A drainage, sink in this basin is found near the west end of the
lake, along the northern border. The sink when measured in Sep¬
tember, 1909, was found to have a total depth of 75 feet. The sink
has been formed, as is usual in this type, of lake basin, near a promi¬
nent bluff. A second sink is formed beyond the lake border, thus
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS.
123
indicating the enlargement of the lake basin in that direction by sub¬
sidence, due. to underground solution. This new sink is one hun¬
dred yards or more in circumference, and when formed carried
down to the lake level, land which stood fifty feet or more above the
lake and was being used previous to the subsidence as a cemetery.
That part of the lake basin which surrounds the sink lies at a
slightly lower level than the more remote parts of the basin, and is
the first to be submerged at the approach of the rainy season. This
area is entirely devoid of trees, and during the dry season becomes
a prairie. The greater part of the basin lying to the south of the
railroad is thickly set with small cypress trees.
The soil in the basin is prevailingly a gray sand, usually dark¬
ened by the presence, of organic matter. At a depth oi from one
to two feet the amount of organic matter is reduced, the sand being
lighter in color. Sandy clays are reached as a rule at a depth of
from two and a half to three feet. During a season of heavy rain¬
fall this basin is occupied by a lake having a total are.a of approx¬
imately two thousand acres. Following a period of prolonged
drought the basin becomes entirely dry, water remaining only at the
sink. In times of excessive rainfall the lake overflows- at the east
end, the water discharged reaching streams tributary to the St.
Marks River.
This basin has much the character of an elongated valley. The
general course of the streams of this part of the county, the shape
of the basin and particularly the topography of the surrounding
country indicate that the drainage of this section was originally
124 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
through these streams into the St. Marks River. The. formation
of sinks diverted the drainage to a subterranean course, the west
end of the basin having been reduced to a level somewhat lower
than the east end. The further enlargement of the. basin is being
carried on through the formation of sinks along the border. The
largest of the newly formed sinks is found near the present drainage
sink. The. actual level of this basin at the present time is about 40
feet above sea, while the original plateau was more than 200 feet
above sea.
MICCOSUKEE BASIN
Miccosukee Basin, or Lake Miccosukee, lies between Leon and
Jefferson counties, the west border of the lake forming the county
line. A small arm of the lake, however, near the north end reaches
into Leon County. This basin has a total area of about 5,000
acres. I11 its northern part the basin is bordered by sharply defined
bluffs, which rise, from 50 to 75 or 100 feet above the lake bottom.
Farther south these bluffs fall back and give place to a gradual rise
of elevation from the lake border. At the south end bluffs are
lacking. A drain known as Miccosukee drain enters from the east
side. This drain consists of a low, swampy are.a from one-fourth
to three- fourths mile in width. This swamp land supports a thick
growth of hardwood trees. When full the basin is covered with
water to a depth of from 2 to 5 feet. Toward the south end around
the border of the lake grass and button bushes project above the
water even when the lake is full.
The sink of Lake Miccosukee is located near the northwest cor¬
ner of the basin, and is bordered by a bluff having an elevation of
from 75 to 100 feet. Landslides along the border of the sink show
recent enlargements of the basin. Numerous sinks are found along
the border of the lake at this locality, showing enlargement of the
lake basin through subsidence. The greatest depth of water in the
sink when examined September 7, 1509, was 38 feet. A channel
ieads back from this sink across the prairie in a southeasterly direc¬
tion. This channel has cut to a depth of from twenty to twenty-five
feet. Followed back from the. sink the channel is of gradually re¬
duced depth, finally, at a distance of about two miles, merging into
the general level of the lake bottom. When examined September
8, 1909, this stream was carrying water into the sink at a rate esti¬
mated to be 200 gallons per minute. Notwithstanding the inflow
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS. 12 5
126 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
from the stream the water in the sink was being gradually lowered.
Heavy rains occurred in this vicinity on September 21, 1909, and
this stream when seen two days later was carrying approximately
7,000 gallons of water per minute. At this time the sink was being
rapidly filled, having filled several feet during the two preceding
days. From these observations it appears that the opening at the
bottom of this sink permits the escape of water at a rate in excess
of 200 gallons per minute, but much less than 7,000 gallons per
minute. From the behavior of the sink it is probable that not more
than 1,000 gallons of water are escaping per minute, and the rate of
escape may be much less.
The principal escape of water from Lake Miccosukee when the
lake is full is through a drain which leads out from the south end of
the lake and enters a sink about two and one.-fourth miles from the
south end of the lake. This sink is formed in a light-colored lime¬
stone of Upper Oligocene age, probably representing the Chattahoo¬
chee formation. The drain from the lake as it approaches the sink
passes through a narrow gorge cut in this limestone. About one-
half mile farther south (Sec. 14) another sink is found. This
third sink receives the flow from Mill Creek, a small stream draining
considerable territory lying south of the. Seaboard Air Line Railway
and east of Lloyd.
During a season of excessive rains these sinks are unable to
carry away the water. Under these conditions the overflow from
Lake Miccosukee. as well as from Mill Creek ultimately finds its
escape by flowing to the southwest past Lloyd to the St. Marks
River.
The surface, in Miccosukee Basin is covered with muck to a
varying depth. Borings put down near the north end of the basin,
out from the margin of the drain, indicated the presence of muck
for a depth of six inches to one foot. Beneath the muck in this part
of the basin was found a gray sand. This sand is underlaid, at a
variable depth, by the usual red sandy clay. At the south end of the
lake the sand is largely absent, the muck which is from one. to three
or more feet deep, resting, so far as observed, directly upon the red
clay.
Lake Miccosukee probably represents a basin developed by solu¬
tion near the headwaters of streams originally tributary to the St.
Marks River. Previous to the formation of Miccosukee Basin, the
drainage of this part of the country doubtless passed through small
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS.
127
streams, to the south past the present village of Lloyd, thence to the
Gulf through the St. Marks River. The lake basin since its forma¬
tion has enlarged to the northwest, the. lowest part of the basin now
being found near the sink in the northwest corner.
SMALL RELATIVELY DEEP-WATER LAKES.
LAKE HALL.
Lake Hall is in Leon County, about 5 miles a little east of north
of Tallahassee on the Thomasville road. This is a small lake, com¬
pared to those just described, being about one mile long east to west
and about one-half wide north and south. This is a very attractive
lake located as it is among the hills, with beautiful open shores bor¬
dered with large oaks. This lake is connected on the west with
Lake Overstreet by a small stream. The greatest depth of the lake
as found when examined August, 1917, was 25 feet. The elevation
of water level in the lake, was then about 142 feet above sea.
LAKE OVERSTREET.
Lake Overstreet lies just northwest of Lake Hall and is con¬
nected with it by a small stream at its southeastern end. This lake
is about the same size as Lake. Hall, but the elongation is mostly
from north to south and not from east to west, as in the case of
Lake Hall. When full the lake has an overflow outlet through a
drain to the southwest which flows into Lake Jackson. No subter¬
ranean outlets through sinks for the small lakes in this section are
known to exist, the lakes during flood stages being connected with
one another, and the larger lakes through surface streams.
LAKE ELIZABETH.
Lake Elizabeth is a small lake lying about three- fourths of a
mile north of west of Lake Overstreet. Its size is approximately
one-half that of lakes described above. The overflow from this
lake apparently finds its way to Lake Overstreet and thence into
Lake Jackson.
128 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
LAKE BRADFORD.
Lake Bradford lies about 4 miles southwest of Tallahassee, on
the northern edge of the sandhill region of Leon County. For the
most part the shores of the lake, are surrounded with more or less
swamp and the water is coffee-colored, due to the presence of or¬
ganic matter in solution and suspension. On the southeast shore
are sand bluffs which afford good building sites and provide excel¬
lent bathing facilities. The lake is regular in outline, being almost
circular, covering an area of somewhat more than one-fourth square
mile.
Tributary streams entering the lake, from the northwest and
northeast provide drainage for a considerable territory lying to the
north and west. An eastern prong of this latter stream has its
source just northeast of Tallahassee. During seasons of he.avv
rainfall when the lake becomes full, the overflow escapes through
the stream on the northeast and flows into Lake Munson, about two
and one-half miles south and e.ast. From Lake Munson outlet is
found through a surface stream on the south about one mile in
length. At this point the stream sinks and makes its way under¬
ground, except at such times as the volume of escape, is greater than
the capacity of intake of the sink, when the flow is overland. The
escape of the underground flow is presumably to Wakulla Spring,
the natural outlet of the underground waters from the territory to
the north. The lake is of moderate depth, averaging 12 to 15 feet,
with probably some deeper places.
ORCHARD POND.
Orchard Pond is one of the small lakes in the northwestern part
of Leon County. It is a moderately deep lake., having a depth of as
much at least as 25 feet. The outlet of the lake, is to the Ocklock-
nee River, although at the present time the lake has a surface over¬
flow only at times of high water. The water le.vel in this lake is
about hi feet above se.a, while the uplands around the lake rise to
an elevation in excess of 200 feet.
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS.
129
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS.
DIRECTION AND COURSE OF STREAMS.
With regard to drainage, one of the striking features in this
area is the prevailingly northeast to southwest course of the prin¬
cipal streams. The Ocklocknee, St. Marks and Aucilla rivers are
approximately parallel, flowing from the northeast to the southwest.
Why these streams should have taken this course is unexplained,
unless possibly they follow minor original troughs or synclines,
which seems possible. The course of the Ocklocknee in particular
suggests that it may have flowed along the west side of a northeast
southwest ridge until passing around the point of the ridge, when it
turned southeast to the Gulf. This suggested structure, as indi¬
cated by the course of the streams, has not been sufficiently estab¬
lished from the surface exposures of the. rocks.
Contour lines at 25 foot intervals.
A second striking feature about the drainage is the fact that
practically all tributaries to the main stream enter from the west or
northwest side. The direction of flow of tributary streams being
from the northwest to the southeast. Few or no tributaries of any
considerable size enter the stream from the east side. This fact is
readily understood. The. minor streams follow the dip of the for¬
mations, which in the main is to the southeast. Not only do the
surface streams follow and flow with the dip, but the ground water
likewise probably follows the dip of the formations. Many of the
small streams originate in spring heads. The migration of these
I30 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
spring heads is more rapid to the northwest or up the dip, which
thus accounts for the greater length of the tributary streams on the
northwest side of the main streams. It is owing to these conditions
that tributaries of the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers reach to within
a mile or so of the Ocklocknee River, while tributaries of the Ock-
locknee in turn reach to within a few miles of the. Apalachicola
farther to the west. The drainage divide of the Ocklocknee on the
east side is for the most part within one mile or so of the stream.
Another feature closely related to that just mentioned is the
fact that as a rule the land lying directly to the east of each main
stream is higher than that of the west, or the rise to high land on the
east side is more abrupt than on the west or northwest side. Thus
the slope to the Ocklocknee River in Gadsden County is as a rule
very gradual, while 011 the east side of the river the rise to high or
relatively high land is much more abrupt. This applies also,
although possibly not in quite so marked a degree, to the Aucilla
River, and is very pronounced for the Apalachicola River. This
feature of the stream development is possibly accounted for by tbe
fact that the prevailing dip is to the south or southeast, while the
course of the stream is southwest. Under these conditions the
streams tend to shift to the southeast. Also from the fact that
there are. few mostly small tributaries from the east side, it follows
that the land surface to the east is much more slowly reduced in ele¬
vation by surface wash than is that on the west side. The sugges¬
tion that these streams with high lands to the e.ast may lie in faults
naturally presents itself. In the structure, however, presence of
faults has not been found, and there seems to exist scarcely more
than obscure indications of minor possible interruptions in the dip.
TOPOGRAPHIC FEATURES.
Another feature that can not fail to attract attention is the very
pronounced differences in the. topography directly east and that
west of the Ocklocknee River. East of the river in Leon County
are found many lakes and lake basins and topographic details con¬
trolled by solution, while the drainage is chiefly by underground
streams. West of the river, on the other hand, lakes and lake
basins are wanting and drainage is by surface streams. The
plateau level west of the Ocklocknee is about 250 feet above sea.
East of the river the maximum elevation is probably about 240 feet,
a difference that can not. of itself account for the pronounced differ-
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS.
131
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LLO I
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Fig. 9- — Sketch map to show the location of Iamonia, Jackson, Lafayette
and Miccosukee solution basins, all of which at the present stage of development
are shallow-water lakes. Scale of map : 1 inch equals 12 miles.
Fig. 10. — Sketch map of Lake Jackson. Scale of map: 1 inch equals 1 mile.
132 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
ences in topography. One may assume that east of the Ocklocknee
River is a structural ridge which brings the limestone somewhat
nearer the surface, and that it is the approach of the limestone to the
surface, that accounts for the differences in the topography. There
is at present, however, no sufficient proof that such is the case.
Another explanation seems possible, and that is the nearer approach
to the Gulf Coast east of the Ocklocknee. From the Gulf inland in
this limestone country the land surface is being lowered by the
combined influence of surface erosion and underground solution.
For some miles inland from the Gulf the. land surface has been prac¬
tically leveled. Farther inland is a belt in which the land surface
has been but partly lowered, the basins representing the areas that
have approached base level.
If the rock structure conformed to the present Gulf margin, the
lake region belt or belt of present active erosion should parallel the
coast. The coast line, however, from St. Marks bends abruptly to
the southwest and thus falls back from the limestone rock sub¬
structure which extends northwest from Peninsular Florida.
STREAM DEVELOPMENT.
The stream basins as well as the lake basins have a progressive
development. If it is true that the Alum Bluff formation, consist¬
ing of sands and clays, formerly extended as an uninterrupted and
unbroken sheet across this whole area, of which apparently there is
no reasonable doubt, it follows that the streams first developed
were not streams flowing on or in the limestone, but on the contrary
were surface streams flowing across the sand and clay deposits, and
were similar perhaps to the surface streams of Gadsden County at
the present time. At a later stage in development the stream, hav¬
ing lowered its channel in places to the limestone, becomes in part a
subterranean stream, and most of the streams of this area at the
present time are in part substerranean. At a late stage in develop¬
ment the streams will again be surface streams flowing through
channels lying in the limestone. The lower courses of the Wakulla,
St. Marks and Aucilla rivers have all reached this late stage of de¬
velopment in which the stream flows in the limestone. The middle
part of the drainage system of the Wakulla and St. Marks rivers
illustrate the development of the substerranean streams. In this
stage natural bridges of limestone above the stream channel are
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS.
133
numerous, and the progressive change from a subterranean to an
open surface stream is seen in the occasional falling in of the. over-
lying rock. The early stage in the stream development is illus¬
trated by the headwater tributaries of all of the drainage, basins.
The smaller tributaries are surface streams which later become for
a part of their course subterranean streams.
THE ST. MARKS DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
The. course of development of a drainage system under the con¬
ditions which are found in this area are well shown by the St.
Marks River. This drainage system, with little doubt, formerly
extended directly across Florida in a north-east south-west direc¬
tion. Its tributaries passing through the present Miccosukee and
Lafayette basins. In this stage of its development this drainage sys¬
tem consisted wholly of surface flowing streams, no part, except
possibly near the coast, touching the limestone, or flowing into it.
Subsequently the channels of the streams were lowered to or nearly
to the limestone and through the formation of sinks the streams
were diverted into substerranean courses. In figure 11 is given* a
sketch of the St. Marks drainage system as it may have existed at
a comparatively early stage, before being diverted chiefly to a sub¬
terranean course. In figure 12 is given a sketch of this drainage
system at the present time, when a large part of the drainage passing
into Miccosukee, Lafayette and other smaller basins becomes sub¬
terranean. A late stage in the development of this system would
show the streams again surface streams, although flowing at a lower
level than the present land surface.
Numerous other streams serve to illustrate stages in develop¬
ment from surface to subterranean streams and from subterranean
again to surface streams. The. Aucilla River is chiefly an open
channel stream lying at the limestone level, although some natural
bridges yet remain. Wacissa River is likewise chiefly an open
channel stream to its head at the Wacissa Springs. Pin Hook
Creek in Jefferson County is an open stream for a short distance
from the coast, beyond which its course at the present stage of
development is marked by a succession of sinks and rises.
at an earlier stage, all streams being surface streams.
Fig. 12. — The St. Marks drainage system as it exists at the present time, a
considerable part of the drainage near the headwaters of the system being sub¬
terranean, passing into the limestone through Miccosukee and Iamonia and other
basins. In the lower part of its course the stream flows in an open channel
in the limestone.
I36 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
WAKULLA RIVER.
The Wakulla River was probably originally a tributary of the
St. Marks River, although at the present time the two streams unite
at tidewater level. The. Wakulla River system originates in small
surface streams which reach north-west to within one or two miles
of the Ocklocknee River in Leon County. These tributaries flow as
surface streams in a general south-east direction until they reach the
Fig- I3- — Sketch map of the Wakulla drainage system. The headwater
streams are surface streams, but become subterranean on reaching the lime¬
stone. Nearer the coast the stream reappears as a surface stream with channel
in the limestone.
limestone area, when they become subterranean streams entering
the limestone through sinks. After entering the. limestone they
may occasionally be seen, owing to the caving of the roof above
FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
NINTH ANNUAL REPORT. PL. 6
Fig. 2. Wakulla Springs in Wakulla County.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE 7.
Fig. 1. Flint rocks at the surface in the “Pin Hook” section of Jefferson
County. These rocks as well as the similar limestone and flint rocks of Wakulla
County are residual. Owing to their resistance to eroding agencies they have
been left at the surface while the softer rocks have been removed.
Fig. 2. Wacissa Springs in Jefferson County
FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
NINTH ANNUAL REPORT. PL.
2
FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
NINTH ANNUAL REPORT. PL. 8
Miccosukee Basin low water stage, 1909, showing level floor of basin.
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS.
137
them. One such view of the stream making its way underground
is to be had at what is known as the. River Sinks in Wakulla County.
These underground streams make their way, as we may believe, in
a general southeast direction and re-emerge, in part at least, to form
the great Wakulla Spring, and from that place continue as an open
surface stream to the Gulf. The subsequent history of Wakulla
River may be readily inferred. If the natural development of the
stream is not interfered with, the open channel through the lime¬
stone will be extended to the northwest and ultimately, as in the
case of the St. Marks River, the stream will lie throughout its whole
course in the limestone.
PHYSIOGRAPHIC FEATURES.
It has been stated in the earlier pages of this report that the
large lake basins of this area, of which Miccosukee, Iamonia, Jack-
son and Lafayette are examples, have been formed by the gradual
processes of solution of limestone and disintegration of the over-
lying sands and clays, attended by subsidence and to some extent
by surface wash. The sinkholes which form in and around the
lake-basins vary in depth, some, of them extending when first formed
much below the level of the. floor of the basin. The sink which
receives water from Lafayette basin at the present time is 75 feet
deep, while that of Lake Iamonia extends as much as 50 feet below
the. lake level. It is probable that in the history of development of
the basins many such sinks have formed and subsequently refilled.
The land surface is lowered chiefly by subsidence to a given level,
while all sink-holes that extend below this level are subsequently
refilled. The controlling agency in determining the level at which
the plane of the bottom of the basin is formed is with little doubt
the ground water level of the formation in which the basin lies.*
So nearly is the plane of the lake basin at ground water level that
while the basin usually is a shallow water lake in normal or rainy
years, it is dry or nearly so in periods of unusual drought. The
drainage sinks retain water continuously, and usually maintain their
*In reports previously published by the Survey, the writer has described the
lake basins of the State, including a discussion of the relation of the lake basins,
to the ground water table, and the description of Iamonia, Jackson, Miccosukee
and Lafayette basins in the present report is taken largely from the earlier
report, which is no longer available for distribution, the supply being exhausted.
138 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
connection with the ground water table. Hence fluctuation in water
level in the lakes represents at least in a measure actual fluctuation
in the water table, although temporary obstruction in sinks may for
a time disconnect the basin from the ground water and for a time
the lake level may be independent of the ground water level. How¬
ever, connection between the lake and the ground water in these
large basins is the normal condition under which the basin has been
developed.
That there is a relation between the ground water table and the
plane of the basin is further supported by the actual level at which
each basin has been formed. In passing inland from the coast the
water table rises gradually, as may be shown by well records. Lake
Lafayette, which is about 25 miles from the coast and is the nearest
of the present large basins to the coast, has formed a plane at
approximately 40 feet above sea level. Lake Jackson, which is
somewhat farther inland, has formed a basin at an elevation of
about 75 feet above sea level. The plane of Miccosukee basin is
probably between 75 and 85 feet above sea level, while that of Lake
Iamonia, which is the farthest north of the large basins, lies about
90 feet above sea level. It is thus seen that the nearer the -basin lies
to the Gulf Coast in this area the lower the level at which the plane
or floor of the basin is formed, and that the basin lies close to the
water table level, probably ordinarily somewhat above that level.
With regard to the water table the basins are at or near base level.
In considering the history of these basins through geologic time
it is well to bear in mind that the water table itself is subject to pro¬
gressive change. As the stream channels are lowered the ground
water outlet is likewise lowered and the course of flow of the water
to the ocean becomes more direct, and hence, the water table is low¬
ered owing to reduced friction of flow of the water.
The whole, time interval available during which the physio¬
graphic changes in this area have taken place is probably that from
the close of the Lower Miocene to the present. Over the northern
part of Leon and Jefferson counties where the largest of these
basins are found there seems to be no good evidence of the presence
of formations later than the Alum Bluff formation, which as shown
by its vertebrate fossils is of Lower Miocene age.*
*Fossil Vertebrates from Florida: A new Miocene fauna; new Pliocene
species ; the Pleistocene fauna, by E. H. Sellards. Florida Geol. Survey, 8th
Ann. Rpt. p. 91, 1916.
OCKLOCKNEE AND AUCILLA RIVERS.
139
The progressive changes in the basins and in the drainage sys¬
tems that have been described indicate progressive physiographic
development. From the Gulf inland the land surface is being grad¬
ually lowered to base level. This process is more rapid where lime¬
stones lie near the surface than where there is no limestone or where
the limestone lies deeply buried beneath other formations. Near
the Gulf Coast the limestone country of this area has been reduced
practically to base level and the streams have become surface
streams flowing in the limestone. Farther inland base level has
been reached only in limited areas in which have been developed the
large basins, several of which have been described. The large area
that has been base leveled probably was reduced in elevation through
the same processes that are now active farther inland. The con¬
tinuation of these processes in the future must result in the gradual
lowering of the land surface in the present lake region of Leon and
Jefferson counties until the whole area becomes a plane at base level
when the location of the present basins will have become obscure
and the basins as such obliterated, as others probably have formed
and disappeared in the at present level areas nearer the coast.
At page 100 of this report is inserted a map showing contour
lines and indicating the location of basins and plateaus. From
this map may be seen the progress of topographic and physio¬
graphic development. The land in the south-eastern part of this
area has been reduced to an approximately uniform level, while to
the south-west where the limestones pass below the surface the
land has been but little affected by erosion. In the northern part
of the area is found a maximum of topographic diversity for this
area, the basins having been carried essentially to base level, while
in places the plateau still retains its original height.
SUPPLEMENT TO STUDIES IN THE PLEISTOCENE AT
VERO, FLORIDA
E. H. SELLARDS
After the papers in this volume, relating to the Pleistocene at
Vero, Florida, were printed, but before they were distributed, three
additional papers on this general subject appeared in the Journal of
Geology. The papers referred to, which may be added to the bibli¬
ography given on page 69 of this report, include the following :
Note on the Deposits Containing Human Remains and Artifacts at Vero,
Florida, by E. H. Sellards, Journal of Geology, vol. 25, pp. 659-660, October-
November, 1917.
The Fossil Plants from Vero, Florida, by Edward W. Berry, Journal of
Geology,. vol. 25, pp. 661-666, October-November, 1917.
Further Studies at Vero, Florida, by Rollin T. Chamberlin, Journal of
Geology, vol. 25, pp. 667-683, October-November, 1917.
The paper by D<r. Berry is an abstract from the paper on fossil
plants at Vero, which is published in full in the present volume
(pp. 19-33). The brief note by the writer is also included in sub¬
stance in this report (pp. 69-82). The paper by Dr. Chamberlin
contains an important modification of the hypothesis previously
proposed by him, and in addition there is proposed a new hypothesis
of the origin of certain of the fossils of the deposits. This contri¬
bution is based on observations made at Vero in March, 1917, at the
time of Dr. Chamberlin’s second visit to the locality.
It will be recalled that the essential features in which Dr. Cham¬
berlin’s former hypothesis differs from the. views held by the writer
are that the extinct vertebrates of the stream bed are secondary and
not primary, and hence are not diagnostic of the age of the beds in
which they are found. The assumed source of the fossils is an
older formation lying farther inland. In the present paper he
abandons this hypothesis of fossils washed from farther inland, so
far at least as it has any practical or immediate application to the
problem in hand, and concedes that the fossils of the lower part of
the stream bed are essentially if not altogether primary. On the
141
142 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
other hand, he holds to the idea that the deposits of the stream bed
include two time divisions as was originally suggested by the pres¬
ent writer, and in addition now maintains that the. human remains
are confined to the upper of the two divisions which he believes to
be of mid-Recent age. The extinct species of this fauna he. regards
as characterizing the lower of the two divisions of the stream de¬
posit and assumes that those extinct species which are found with
the human remains and artifacts in the upper deposit of the stream
bed, or at least most of them, are inclusions from the lower bed. In
other words, while, the fossil vertebrates of the lower stream bed are
now recognized by him as primary, the extinct species of the upper
bed are held to be secondary.
The second hypothesis offered by Chamberlin is equally as un¬
tenable, the writer believes, as the first offered by him. The essen¬
tial assumption of the first hypothesis, that the vertebrate fossils
had washed from farther inland, fails to stand the test of field
investigation, and the. essential contention of the second hypothesis,
that the extinct species found in stratum No. 3 of the stream deposit
are secondary, is dispelled by evidence already at hand. The evi¬
dence as to the age of the deposits derived from the study of the
fossil plants, although published in the same issue of the Journal of
Geology as his own paper, was not, as the writer understands, avail¬
able to Dr. Chamberlin at the time his paper was prepared. This
evidence from the fossil plants, which is presented in full in the
present report, as well as in abstract in the Journal, leads to the
conclusion that stratum No. 3 of the section in the stream bed is of
Pleistocene age. The association of the plants with the human
remains and artifacts is intimate., and there is no question as to
their place in the section. In addition, much new evidence has
been added from the study of the vertebrate fossils. Among new
mammalian species is the extinct deer which has now been fully
described by Dr. O. P. Hay (this volume, pp. 5°"57)- This deer
is one of the abundant fossils of stratum No. 3, its bones being
found not only in such abundance, but also in such association of
parts as to preclude any reasonable doubt that they are primary
fossils in this stratum. The evidence from the mammals, however,
is by no means confined to this one species, but includes that of the
various other species that have been described from this deposit.
Nor is the evidence among vertebrate fossils confined to the mam¬
mals. The bird bones, among which are found representatives of
PLEISTOCENE AT VERO, FLORIDA.
143
two species believed to be extinct, become distinctly more numerous
in stratum No. 3. To assume, that well preserved bird bones are
secondary, especially when found more abundantly than in the
deposits from which they are supposed to have been derived, is con¬
trary both to expectation and to experience in the field. The prog¬
ress of collecting has brought to light successive additional speci¬
mens of the extinct turtles of this deposit, either in the form of
undisturbed carapaces or of bone.s associated in such a way as to
indicate primary fossils.
Dr. Chamberlin’s second hypothesis involves referring all the
human remains found to stratum No. 3. The position of the
human bones first discovered has been fully described. They lay
beneath a heavy ledge of fresh water marl, which is now believed
to be the equivalent of stratum No. 3. Their position is in the
brown sands, which are believed to represent stratum No. 2. This
ledge of rock itself, as noted, contains at least one extinct vertebrate
species (p. 81). Some of the bones from the second locality at
which human bones were found, which were collected by the writer,
seem certainly to come from the brown sands of stratum No. 2.
One of the flint spalls likewise was found in place and was very
definitely in the light brown sand of stratum No. 2. All of this,
however, has been fully recorded and indicates, the writer believes,
that stratum No. 2 contains human bones and artifacts. The accu¬
mulated evidence that stratum No. 3 in which human remains and
artifacts are so abundant is itself of the Pleistocene period, adds
materially to the probability that the human remains extend, as the
recorded discoveries indicate, through the deposit as a whole.
General Index
A
Academy of Natural Sciences of Phil¬
adelphia, 58, 65, 67
Acer rubrum, 27, 30, 31
Acorns, 19, 24, 25
Addendum, 82
Aetobatis narinari, 43
Africa, 26
Aftonian, 66, 80
Age of deposits at Vero, 19, 31, 66, 71,
76, 81
Age of flora at Vero, 31
Alabama, 21, 24, 27, 31
Alligator mississippiensis, 44
Alum Bluff formation, 96, 102, 104,
no, 1 12, 1 16, 132, 138
Alum Bluff formation, structure of,
105
Alum Bluff formation, exposures of,
104, 105
American Anthropologist, 70, 71, 75
American Journal of Science, 69, 72
Amiatus calvus, 43
Amount of limestone carried aw?.y by
solution, 1 18
Amphiuma means, 43
Anona glabra, 26, 30
Antilles, 23
Apalachicola, 25
Apalachicola river, 23, 31, 97, 108, 130
Apple, pond, 26
Area limula, 80
Area ponderosa, 80
Ardea, 37
Ardea herodias, 38, 39
Ardea sellardsi, 38
Arizona, 28, 31, 60
Arkansas, 21, 66
Armadillo, 76
Artifacts and human remains, 70, 76,
77
Asia, 26, 68
Atlantic Beach, n
Aucilla, 90
Aucilla River, 89, 99, 113, 129, 130,
I3A 133
Australia, 26
B
Bainbridge road, 104
Ball clay, 10
Banks, Nathan, 77
Bassler, R. S., 78
Bay, sweet or swamp, 26
Bear, 46
Bench marks, 93-95
Benzoin cf. melissaefolium, 28, 31
Berry, E. W., 19, 69, 77, 141
Beswick, 13
Biological, Survey, U. S. Department
of Agriculture, 20
Birds, fossil, 34, 77, 8i
Bison, 45, 66, 68
Blue jack oak, 25
Blue Springs, 113
Bone implements, 32, 82
Bonheur Development Company, 97
Brazenia purpurea, 26, 30, 31
Brevard, Caroline Mays, 90
Brevard County, 12
Brick and tile, 10, 111
Broken or fragmentary condition of
fossils, 74, 76
Brown, Barnum, 66
Brownville, 63
Buckthorn, 28
Burial theory of human remains, 32,
70, 7 1, 73, 74 ,
Burns, limestone at, ill
Burnt Mill Creek, 102
C
Cabbage palmetto, 23
Call, Richard K„, 89, 91
145
I46 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
Canada, 26, 27
Canis ayersi, 76
Canis latrans, 59, 60, 62
Canis occidentalis, 59, 60
Canis riviveronis, 46, 59, 61, 62, 63
Cape Fear River, 23
Cape Malabar, 20, 25, 26
Cape May, 20, 23
Cape Romano, 24
Caranx, 43
Caranx hippos, 43 .
Caretta caretta, 43
Carex, 22, 30
Carraway, W. M., 111
Cathartes aura, 36
Cathartes aura septentrionalis, 41
Cates, B. M., 97, hi
Cates, W. C., in
Cave deposits, 58, 65, 66
Cenozoic, 96
Central America, 21, 26
Chaires, 122
Chamberlin, R. T., 19, 32, 69, 75, 141
Chattahoochee formation, 96, 97, 100,
104, 105, in, 126
Chattahoochee landing, 97
Chattahoochee limestone, 99, 102, 105
Chattahoochee limestone, surface ex¬
posures of, 100
Chattahoochee limestone, structure of.
101
Chattahoochee River, 29
Chelonia mydas, 44
Chelonia sculpta, 44, 46
Chelonia serpentina, 46, 47
Chelydra sculpta, 44
Chipola River, 90
Chlamytherium septentrionalis, 44, 76
Choctawhatchee formation, 96, 108, 116
Choctawhatchee formation, typical ex¬
posures of, 109
Chowan formation, 31, 32
Citrus County, 12
Climate, 91, 117
Climate of Pleistocene time, 32
Coblentz, Dr. V., 114
Conard fissure, 66
Conference of geologists and anthro¬
pologists, 69
Cope, E. D., 49, 58, 65
Corals, 78, 80
Corbula cuneata, 80
Cork wood, 23
Councils Bluff, 68
Coyote, 46, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64
Crawfordville, 101
Cro-Magnon, 68
Crotalus adamanteus, 44
'Cuba, 26
Cynorca proterva, 49
Cypress, 21, 22
D
Dade County, 22
Dasypus, 44
Deer, 45, 5°, 5L 52, 53, 54
Delaware, 22
Dendrocygnus autumnalis, 40
Department of Roads, State of Flor¬
ida, 92, 93
DeSoto County, 21, 29, 30
Determination of plants from Vero, 20
Dickson, M. W., 67
Didelphis virginiana, 44
Dicotvles fossilis, 48
Dicotyles lenis, 48
Dip of formations in North Florida,
102, 107, 108, no
Direction and course of streams, 129
Dixie Highway, 95
Dog, 46, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64
Drymarchon corais, 44
Duck, 40
Duggar Creek, exposures on, 109
Duval County, n
Duval, William P., 89, 90
E
Edgar, kaolin mined at, 10
Egret, 37, 41
Elephant, 45, 66, 68, 76, no
Elephas columbi, 45
Elevations in northern Florida, 92
Eocene, 96, 97, 113, 116
Equus littoralis, 44
Errata, 84
Escambia County, 12
GENERAL
INDEX.
147
Europe, 26, 28
Everglades, 24
F
Farancia abacura, 44, 48
Financial statement of the State Geo¬
logical Survey, 5
Flatwoods, 23
Flint arrow points and chips, 68, 75, 80
Flora at Vero, Pleistocene age of, 31
Floridin Company, 11
Fossils associated with human re¬
mains, 19, 31
Fossils associated with human re¬
mains, origin of, 67, 75
Fox, 46, 57, 58, 61, 62, 63, 81
Franklin County, 109
Freeman Creek, 105
Fuller’s earth, 11, 105, 112
Fuller’s Earth Company, 11
G
Gadsden County, 12, 97, 107, in, 112,
130, 132
Gallberry, 27
Geologic history of North Florida, 116
Geologic structure, 13, 101, 105, 129,
130, 131
Geology of northern Florida, 96
Georgia, 29, 30
Georgia, Florida and Alabama Rail¬
way, 92
Gopherus polyphemus, 44
Grape, 28
Grayson, 66
Griscom plantation, limestone rock
from, 97, 100
Gull, 37, 40
H
Hammocks, 24, 26
Harbors of Florida, no
Harper, R. M., 20, 22, 92
Hay, O. P., 19, 43, 69, 70, 77
Hay Springs, 66
Heidelbergers, 68
Henry, A. M., 114
Herodias egretta, 37, 41
Heron, 37
Hilliardville, 101
Hollick, A., 26
Hopkins, Oliver B., 92
Hrdlicka, A., 19, 32, 69, 70, 74, 75, 76
Human remains at Vero, 32, 50, 61,
69-81, 141
I
Iamonia basin, 95, 100, 118, 120, 137
Ilex glabra, 27, 30
Illinoisian, 66
Ilmenite, n
Implements, 32, 67, 75, 81, 82
Indians, 67, 69, 90
Indian River, 24
Indo-Malayan, species native to, 28
Influence of climate on fauna and
flora, 32
Inland Waterway Canal, 47
Insects from Vero deposits, 77
Interpretation of Vero deposits, 74
Invertebrates, fossil, 35, 77-80
Iowa, 68
Iowa Geological Survey, 66
J
Jackson, Andrew, 89
Jackson basin, 100, 118, 121, 137
Jackson Bluff, 105, 109
Jabiru weillsi, 36, 76
Jefferson County, 89, 90, 95, 97, 99, 100,
101, 105, 109, hi, 112, 113, 118,
124 138, 139
Jefferson, lhomas, 90
Jones, J. W., 92, 93
Journal of Geology, 69, 70, 141
K
Kaolin, 10
Kentucky, 24, 31
L
Lafayette basin, 100, 118, 122, 133, 137
Lafayette formation, 104, 109
Lake basins, 95, 96, 118, 130, 131, 137
Lake Bradford, 128
“ Elizabeth, 127
“ Hall, 127
“ Iamonia, 97, 99, 100, 102, 138
“ Jackson, 93, 100, 102, 127, 138
I48 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
Lake Jackson station, 122
“ Lafayette, 90, 100., 102, 138
“ Miccosukee, 93, 100, 101, 102, 124
“ Munson, 128
“ Okeechobee, 22
“ Overstreet, 127
Lake Region, 11, 21, 22, 26, 29, 30
Larus atricilla, 38
Larus vero, 40
Legislative Council, first meeting of,
89, 90
Leidy, Joseph, 48, 49, 50
Leitneria Floridana, 23, 31
Leon County, 89, 90, 91, 92, 95, 97, 99,
100, 101, 104, 105, 108, 109, hi, 1 12,
1 13, 1 18, 120, 121, 122, 124, 127,
128, 130, 136, 138, 139
Lepisosteus platystomus, 43
Lettuce, water, 22
Lime, limestone, 12, 75, 96, 97, 99, 100,
101, 104, 109, hi, 1 16, 1 18, 1 19,
120, 122, 126, 132, 136, 137, 139
Literature relative to the Vero depos¬
its, 69, 141
Little River, 107
Litorina, 33
Live Oak, 24
Lloyd, 93, 102, 126, 127
Location of site for State capital, 90
Loblolly pine, 20
Loess, 68
Long Island, 29
Louisiana, 23, 24, 25
Lutra canadensis, 46
Lynx calcaratus, 65
Lynx ruffus, 65
Lynx ruffus floridanus, 46, 64
M
Mad Creek, 68
McAtee, W. L., 20, 25, 27
McCurdy, G. G., 19, 69, 70, 76, 77
Magnolia Virginiana, 26, 30, 31
Maine, 63
Mammals, recent and extinct from
Vero, 19, 31, 44, 45, 46, 65, 66, 75,
77, 80
Mammut americanum, 46
Manatee Fuller’s Earth Corporation, 11
Mansfield, W. C., 78
Maple, 27
Marion County, 113
Marl, 19, 20, 31, 32, 75, 78, 81, 96, 107,
109, 1 16
Martin, H. T., 68
Maryland, 28, 31, 32, 69
Massachusetts, 26, 27
Mastodon, 45, 66, 76, no
Matson, G. C, 31
Matthew, W. D., 66
Medart, 101
Megalonyx, 67
Meridian road, 107
Mexico, 24
Miami, n
Miccosukee basin, 95, 100, 118, 124, 133,
137, 138
Midway, 107
Mill Creek, 109, 126
Mineral waters, 16
Minnesota, 60
Miocene, 25, 96, 104, 108, 109, 116, 138
Mississippi embayment region, 21
Mole, 45
Monazite, n
Montana, 57
Monticello, 90, 113
Mosquito Inlet, 24
Mouse, 45
Muck, 72, 75, 121, 122, 126
Muscatine, 68
Muskrat, 45
Mycteria americana, 39
Myrica cerifera, 23, 30
Myrtle, 23
N
Natural cement, 97
Neanderthalers, 68
Nebraska, 63, 66
Necfiber alleni, 45
Neotoma floridana, 45
New Brunswick, 29
New Jersey, 21, 23, 26, 28, 31, 32
New Orleans, 48
Newport, 90, 91, 114
Newport Springs, 114
GENERAL INDEX.
149
New River, fossiliferous limestone on,
109
North Carolina, 23, 25, 29, 31, 32
0
Oaks, 20, 24, 25
Ocala limestone, 75
Ocklocknee Brick Company, 111
Ocklocknee River, 89, 99, 101, 102, 105,
109, 112, 120, 121, 122, 128, • 129,
130, 132, 136
Odocoileus hemionus, 50
osceola, 45, 51, 53, 56
sellardsiae, 45, 5°, 52, 53
virginianus, 45, 50, St, 52,
53, 54, 55, 56
Oil prospecting, 12-13
Okahumpka, kaolin mined at, 10
Oligocene, 96, 97, 116, 120, 126
Orchard Pond, 93, 128
Oribella, 77
Origin of vertebrate remains at Vero,
67, 75
Oryzomys palustris, 45
Osceola County, 12
Otter, 46
Owl, 38
P
Pablo Beach, 11
Palmetto, 22, 23
Panacea Springs, 114
Peat, 13, 19, 121, 122
Peccary, 45, 48, 49, 50
Pennsylvania, 58, 66
Pensacola, 89, 90
Pensacola Bay, 25
Pensacola terrace, 31, 32
Peorian, 33
Peterson, C. A., 68
Phacoides nasuta, 80
Phosphate companies of Florida, 14-15
Phosphate production, 13, 112, 116
Physiographic development, 116, 137
Pin Hook River, 133
Pinelands, 23, 25
Pinus caribaea, 20, 21, 30
“ clausa, 20, 21
“ Elliottii, 21
“ Taeda, 20, 30, 31
Pistia spathulata, 22, 30
Plants, fossils, 19, 32, 35, 70
Plants identified from the Vero de¬
posits, 19, 77
Pleistocene, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,
3i, 32, 35, 43, 47, 57, 59, 66, 67, 70,
75, 76, 77, 80, 81, 96, no, 116, 141
Pleistocene terrace deposits, 31, 32
Pliocene, 21, 24, 26, 29, 30, 31, 96, 109,
no, 116
Polk County, 21, 29
Polygonum, 25, 30
Pond apple, 26
Port Kennedy, 58, 59, 65, 66
Port Leon, 91
Pottery, 32, 75, 81
Procyon lotor, 46
Pseudemys floridanus persimilis, 44
Publications issued by the Survey, 8
Q
Quercus hrevifolia, 25, 30
“ Chapmani, 25, 31
“ geminata, 24
“ lauri folia, 24, 30
“ virginiana, 24, 30, 31
Querquedula discors, 36
floridana, 36
R
Rabbit, 45
Raccoon, 46
Railroad, first built in Florida, 91
Ranson Humus Company, 13
Rat, 45
Reed, B. E., 93
Red fox, 57, 59, 61, 62, 63
Reports, distribution of, 8
Reptiles, 81
Rhodes, G. W., in
Richmond, Charles W., 35
Riley, J. H., 35
Rio Grande valley, 24
150 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.
River Junction, 97
Road metal, materials used for, 100,
hi, 112
S
St. Augustine, 47, 89, 90
St. Augustine road, section on, 108
St. Louis, 68
St. Marks, 90, 91, 113, 132
St. Marks River, 99, 114, 115, 123, 124,
126, 127, 129, 130, 132, 133, 136, 137
Sabal palmetto, 23, 30
Sand and gravel, production of, 15
Sand-lime brick, production of, 15-16
Sangamon interglacial stage, 67
San Marcos de Apalache, fort, 91
Sargent, C. S., 24, 25
Saw palmetto, 22, 23
Scalopus aquaticus australis, 45
Science, 69
Seaboard Air Line Railway, 92, 95, 99,
101, 102, 105, 126
Sedge, 22
Sellards, E. H., 19, 35, 36, 39, 43, 44,
46, 48, 53, 54, 57, 59, 62, 64, 67,
69, 85, 141
Sellards, Mrs. Anna Mary, 50
Serenoa serrulata 22, 30
Seminole Indians, 90
Shaler, N. S., no
Shell marl, 96, 107, 109, 116
Shell Point, 101, 115
Shimek, B., 80
Shufeldt, R. W., 34, 48, 77
Sigmodon hispidus, 45
Silver Springs, 113
Silvilagus palustris, 45
Sinks, 20. 93, 100, 101, 108, 1 19, 120,
121, 122, 123, 124, 126, 127, 136, 137
Siren lacertina, 43
Slash pine, 21
Sloth, 66
Snake, 48
Sopchoppy River, 99, 108
South Carolina, 21, 23, 25, 90
Spice bush, 28
Springs, 113
Spring Creek, 115
State Chemist, 97
Sterna maxima, 40
Stone ax, 68
Stork, 76
Stream development, 132
Structure of formations in North
Florida, 101, 105, 129, 130, 131
Summary of mineral production in
Florida, 16
Sumter County, 12
Surface streams, 96, 99, 130, 133, 136,
137
Suwannee River, 90
Sweet Bay, 26
T
Talbot formation, 28, 31, 32
Tallahassee, 91, 93, 95, 97, 102, 104, 107,
108, in, 1 12, 122, 127, 128
Tallahassee, selection of for State cap¬
ital, 90
Tallahassee Pressed Brick Company,
in
Tampa Bay, 20
Tapir, 45, 76
Tapirus haysii, 45
“ lenis, 45
Taxodium distichum, 21, 30, 31
Ta}^assu lenis, 45, 48, 49, 50
Teal, 36
Tennessee, 21
Tern, 40
Terrace deposits, Pleistocene, 31, 32
Terrapene antipex, 44
innoxia, 44
Tertiary, 27, 31, 75
Texas, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31
Thomas City, 105
Topographic map, lack of, 101
Topographic and physiographic devel¬
opment, 1 16, 130
Topography of northern Florida, 96
Trachemys nuchocarinata, 44, 47
Transennella caloosana, 80
Turkey buzzard, 36, 41
Turkey vulture, 41
Turtle, 76, 77
Tyto pratincola, 38
GENERAL
INDEX.
U
Udden, J. A, 68
Underground solution in the limestone,
96, 108, 1 18, 1 33, 137
Upper Cretaceous, 27
Ursus floridanus, 46
U. S. Clay Testing Laboratory, ill
U. b. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 92
U S. Geological Survey, 13, 69, 92, 113
U. S. National Museum, 35, 38, 39, 41,
48, 58, 60, 61, 64, 65, 69, 78
U. S. Weather Bureau, 91
V
Value of minerals produced in Flor¬
ida, 10
Van Valkenburg Creek, 22
Vaughan, T. W., 19, 69, 70, 78, 109
Vegetation of an area in northern
Florida, 92, 117
Vero, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,
28, 30, 3L 35, 36, 38, 40, 43, 47, 48.
49, 50, 52, 55, 57, 59, 61, 62, 64, 66,
69, 78, 82, 141
Vertebrate remains from Vero, 32, 35,
36, 43, 70, 7L 75, 77, 141
Viburnum angustifolium, 29
dentatum, 29, 31
nudum, 29, 30, 31
serotinum, 29
Virginia, 24, 57, 90
Vitis austrina, 28
“ coriacea, 28
“ rotundi folia, 28, 30
Vulpes fulva, 57, 58, 61, 63
“ latidentatus, 58
“ macroura, 57
“ palmaria, 46, 57, 58, 63
151
W
Wacissa, 90, in, 112
Wacissa Springs, 113
Wakulla, 89
Wakulla County, 12, 91, 92, 97, 99, 100,
101, 104, 109, in, 112, 115, 137
Wakulla River, 99, 113, 130, 132, 136,
137
Wakulla Springs, 99, 113, 119, 128, 137
Wakulla Springs* fossils taken from,
no
Wakulla Springs, solids removed by,
119
Washington Academy of Sciences, 70
Water lettuce, 22
Water oak, 24
Water shield, 26
Waukeenah, 90
Weills, Isaac M., 49, 53
Wells, test for oil, 9 7
Wells, artesian, 112, 113
West Indies, 21, 28
Williston, S. W., 68
Wisconsin drift, 33, 68
Witter, F. M., 68
Wood implement, 82
Wolf, 59, 76
Wyoming, 60
X
Xanthium, 29, 30
“ glabratum, 29
Z
Zizyphus, 27, 30, 31
“ obtusifolia, 28
“ vulgaris, 28
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