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about amongst the shells of one of these mounds, I observed pieces of broken earthen-ware, which exeited my curiosity to search further, till I found an earthen pot, ingeniously embossed with basketwork, and of very antique appearance; but how it came there, or to what people it belonged, is one of those secrets that will probably never be discovered, though it puzzled Mr. Franklin to form conjectures about it for some hours. These islands are the abode of numerous herds of the roe-buck or deer, which are often attacked by the tigers, wolves, and bears, who still dispute the sovereignty of the woods. Here are also raccoons, foxes, squirrels, rats, and mice, but no moles. One species of the rats is twice as large as the common Norway rat. In the night time this creature throws out the earth to make its burrow, and raises little hillocks which have a singular appearance. In one of my walks I was struck with something hanging from the boughs of a tree like a dead animal: I touched it with a switch I had in my hand, when, to my surprise, it leaped to the ground, slunk into the thickets, and almost poisoned me with its stench. I soon found it was an opossum, an animal very common in many parts of America, and numerous in these islands. It is about the size of a cat, and its head is shaped like that of a fox: it has small, round, black, piercing eyes, and apright black cars, edged with white; its tail is partly covered with scales, and is of great use

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to the creature, as it is long enough to twist round the branches of trees, whilst the body hangs suspended. The greatest peculiarity of the opossum is a sort of pouch under the belly, in both the male and the female, where they hide their young. They feed on canes and other vegetables, and enjoy a feast when they are nimble enough to catch a bird.

As I know your fondness for natural history, I shall make no apology for describing the raccoon. It is less than the beaver, though resembling it in shape, except the head, which is more like that of a fox. It has a white face, with broad, black circles round the eyes, that give a firmness to its countenance, though it is harmless: it is very active, and climbs trees with great expertness.

Birds' eggs and vegetables are its food; and so delicate is it in its taste, that it is extremely fond of oysters, and frequents the shores at low water, not only for the sake of seizing the first unfortunate oyster that gapes open its shell, but also in order to wash its food before it is eaten. The hair of the raccoon is useful to hatters, who mix it with that of beavers and rabbits; and its flesh is good eating, as I experienced yesterday, when we could get nothing else for dinner. Pole-cats and wild cats also inhabit these woods; and such a variety of snakes and serpents, that I cannot particularize them: the hogs eat them voraciously, and seem to have no fear of their bite. The rattle-snake is often dressed

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and sent to table as a dainty dish; but I could never overcome my prejudice sufficiently to taste them.

The animals of these islands may serve for a description of those that inhabit the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia, as they are nearly alike. Though my letter is already so long, I cannot leave out my feathered favourites. Here are several kinds of eagles, who are the tyrants, not only of the air, but of the earth also, for they prey upon fawns and other young quadrupeds.

The fishing hawk flies high and swiftly; his long pointed wings cleaving the air with vast force: he lives entirely on fish, which he catches with great dexterity. Water-fowl, of numerous kinds, haunt these shores; and amongst the songsters there is none more melodious or beautiful than the painted finch, which is mournfully contrasted with the cooing of the ground dove, an elegant little creature, not larger than a sparrow.

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The wild turkeys grow to a prodigious size. saw one that had been hatched from an egg found in the forest; he was a noble, majestic bird, at least a yard high, when he stood upright: his colour was dark dusky brown; but the feathers of the neck, breast, back, and shoulders, were tipped with copper colour, which in the sun looked like burnished gold.

The American turkeys are twice as large as those we have in England, particularly as to height, as

their necks and legs are longer in proportion. Both the cock and hen are brown, not having a black feather on them; but the cock is beautifully adorned with variable shades, as I have already mentioned.

Though the novelty of a foreign country delights me, my heart glows at the remembrance of home, and the dear friends I left there, to whom I send my best love.

ARTHUR MIDDLETON.

LETTER XIII.

Mr. Henry Franklin to Edwin Middleton.

MY DEAR EDWIN,

St. Augustine.

IN order to trace the course of our journey, you must study your map, and you will perceive that the river Apalachicola, which discharges its waters into the Gulph of Mexico, runs between East and West Florida. The great Mississippi divides West Florida from Louisiana.

East Florida is the present scene of our researches. Arthur and I having left Sunbury, rode on to the banks, of the Alatamaha river, through a level country, well watered by large streams, which take their course from extensive swamps and marshes.

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These swamps are daily improving into large, fruitful rice plantations. The road we have lately traversed is straight, wide, and kept in excellent repair; and in most parts is bordered with a light grove of various beautiful flower-bearing trees, entwined with garlands of creeping shrubs, and over-shadowed by tall spreading cypresses, oaks, and cedars. The rice and corn plantations are decorated in a similar manner; and through the branches of the trees appear the neat, humble dwellings of the inhabitants, who are cheered, not only all day, but during moonlight nights, with the melody of the cheerful mock-bird, the warbling nonpareil, and the plaintive turtle-dove.

Inns not being very frequent, we are accustomed to ride up, without ceremony, to private houses, where we are generally entertained with great hospitality, and are entreated to pass a day or two with the family, who seem gratified with the company of strangers. During one of these visits, when the heat of the day was past, we made a little party at fishing, a diversion in which I take no pleasure; but I was willing to comply with whatever was kindly proposed for our amusement. Our friends led us to a shady retreat, in a beautiful grove of magnolias, myrtles, and sweet bay trees, standing on the bank of a clear stream, that flowed with a serpentine course through the plantations. We presently caught some fish; one kind of them, called the red belly, has brilliant colours. It is a small

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