[Illustration: MIDDLE FLORIDA MUSICIANS!]
After sunset the frogs will be found the most demonstrative inhabitants, at times, on the route to Tallahassee, which, strange as it may seem, almost drown the car-whistle with their croakings--thus reminding us that happiness, with some creatures, is not yet extinct in the world. Probably no place can furnish a greater variety of frogs belonging to the same genera, among which we find the bell-frog, speckled frog, green frog, some of them being nine inches in length, measuring from the tip of the nose to the terminus of the hind-foot toe, which amphibious quadruped, when full grown, will weigh over a pound. The bell-frog is supposed to have been named from the voice, which is fancied to be exactly like a loud cow-bell. The following statement from a naturalist on frogs will give us an idea of his impressions: "The bell-frogs being very numerous, and uttering their voices in companies, or by large districts, when one begins another answers--thus the sound is caught and repeated from one to another a great distance, causing a surprising noise for a few minutes, rising and sinking with the winds, then nearly dying away, or is softly kept up by distant districts--thus the noise is repeated continually, and as one becomes familiarized to it, the sound is not unmusical, though at first, to strangers, it seems clamorous and disgusting." Englishmen sent them home, more than a century since, as Florida curiosities. The following is taken from the record of one's arrival: "The pretty frog came safe and well, being now very brisk. Some more of these innocent creatures would not be amiss. But pray send no more mud-turtles--one is enough. The water-turtle is a pretty species--came very well." Here is what Bartram wrote about our dirt-daubers, which build their nests in the crevices and corners of every neglected tenement: "I have sent you a variety of the clay cells which the singing wasps built last summer, that I consider very curious." All tourists have made Florida a point of scientific research, in various ways, for many years.
Far in ether, stars above thee Ever beam with purest light; Birds of richest music love thee, Flowers than Eden's hues more bright; And love, young love, so fresh and fair, Fills with his breath thy gentle air.