hammock

1) In Florida, a term given to a particular kind of land. The low hammocks are the richest in the country, and are capable of producing, for many successive years, rich crops of sugar, corn, hemp, or other equally exhausting productions. In their primitive state they are clothed with so heavy a growth of timber and underwood, that the task of clearing them is appalling. The low hammocks are, if possible, more dense in their growth than the others, but the coat of vegetable matter is thin, and the white sand lies within a foot or eighteen inches of the surface. They are also very productive.--Vignoles, Florida, p. 87.

"HEAD QUARTERS, ARMY OF THE SOUTH,

"FORT BROOKE, July 29th, 1838.

"SIR:--I have the honor to inclose you a communication this moment received, on the subject of procuring bloodhounds from the Island of Cuba, to aid the army in its operations against the hostiles in Florida.

"I am decidedly in favor of the measure, and beg leave to urge it as the only means of ridding the country of the Indians who are now broken up into small parties, and take shelter in swamps and hammocks as the army approaches, making it impossible for us to follow or overtake them without the aid of such auxiliaries.

"I wish it distinctly understood that my object in employing dogs, is only to ascertain where the Indians can be found, not to worry them.

"I have the honor to be, Sir, &c.,

"Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brig. Gen.

U. S. A. Commanding."

2) (Carib amaca.) A swinging-bed. This word, now in such general use, especially among seamen, and the etymology of which has been so much disputed, is undoubtedly of West Indian origin.

Cotton for the making of hamaccas, which are Indian beds.--Raleigh, Disc. of Guiana, 1596.

The Brazilians call their beds hamacas; they are a sheet laced at both ends, and so they sit rocking themselves in them.--Sir R. Hawkins, Voy. to South Sea.