Ruins of the officers’ quarters.
Dr. Samuel A. Mudd.
The sooty tern shades its eggs from the hot sun.
Plant and Animal Life
The warm Gulf Stream waters support great reefs of coral and “forests” of marine plants, which in turn provide refuge for the myriad forms of animal life in nature’s aquarium. The visitor who is equipped with a glass-bottomed bucket or box can enjoy the sight of brilliant tropical fish and crustaceans in the crystal-clear waters of their native environment. Sport fishing is permitted in accordance with regulations, which may be obtained from the superintendent.
The native flora is tropical, principally mangrove, button-mangrove or buttonwood, bay cedar, seagrape, sea-lavender, purslane, and seaoats—all quite characteristic of the lower east coast of Florida.
The early residents, however, brought in many plants, including the feathery tamarind, gumbo limbo, Australian-pine, and coconut and date palms. Growing out of the ruins may be a pepper plant that came from a garden in Havana.