An interesting point in a study of the Loggerhead flora is the comparison of Lansing's maps with the present ones. According to Lansing, the island was mainly occupied by bay cedar. Millspaugh also mentions this fact,' and states: "Its central plateau, like that of Bird Key, is entirely implanted with a pure Suriana group, the individuals of which are about 6 feet high. The vegeta tion of the islet presents no association whatever, all its species being ele mentally scattered subtropic, maritime 'weeds.' Even the usually associated Uniola and Euphorbia [Chamasyce] appear as far separated as the limits of the surface will allow." The author is convinced that Lansing overlooked the old patches of Opuntia hidden in the dense growth of Suriana, as well as the very old groups of sisal, but aside from this the appearance of the island is much changed in the past 12 years. The spurge, Chan:move buxifolia, has not changed its position or quantity, but the Uniola is now found with it in its station on the northwest corner of the island as well as along the east shore, and very plentifully on the southwest shore. Iva imbricata seems now to have disappeared from Loggerhead. Portuksca, now as then, is found only around buildings both at the light-house and also at the laboratory. Melanthera brevifolia has migrated all along the path leading to the laboratory end of the key and has also spread into the association of Opuntia, while Cyperus and Calonyction occur over the central portion cleared of Suriana. The old grove of Sebesten (Cordia) has not changed in area or spread. Hymenocallis is now disseminated
fairly well over the island, having been planted largely along all the walks and paths, as well as the coconuts and Casuarina. Salvia serotina is found only about the light-house, and Capraria bijlora is not widely scattered. The shrub Cerbera thevetia (which has been planted for the decorative effect of its beautiful yellow blossoms) and the weeds Poinsettia pinetorum and P. cyathophora were probably intro duced with soil brought from the mainland of Florida.
In summarizing the distribution on Loggerhead and comparing it with Lansing's account, the most conspicuous facts are the disappear ance of a large amount of Suriana from the central portion and the spread into this area of the Opuntia group, the increase of Uniola, and the disappearance of Guilandina (Ccesalpinia) crista, Iva imbricata, and Tribulus cistoides. The appearance of the island is changed on account of the large number of trees and shrubs and other plants introduced for decorative and utilitarian purposes. A comparison of the lists also shows various differences in nomenclature due to synonymy, together with one systematic discrepancy, viz, Cakile fusiformis, as listed by Lansing and Millspaugh, is evidently C. lanceolata (Wild.) 0. E. Schulz. C. fusiformis, while indigenous to the keys, has not been noted in the Tortugas. The number of seeds in the pods of the Tortugas species place it as C. lanceolata. The total number of species on the island at present is 41, as compared with Lansing's list of 24.