Millennia ago, Florida was a much different place. Lower sea levels meant coastlines far removed from their present location. Odd beasts populated the temperate climes of the broad peninsula, from shoulder-high wolves, to giant sloths, to lions of unimaginable proportions. Very little would seem familiar to a modern visitor - except for the people. For thousands of years, people have populated the region, leaving traces of their presence scattered across the area, whether flooded in sinkholes or submerged offshore by rising sea levels, or hidden in plain sight like the hillocks formed by middens. Knowledge of the remnants and remains of Florida's past inhabitants continues to grow, in the process shedding new and surprising light on a rich, and surprisingly long, history of human occupation. This exploration of southern Florida's prehistory begins with an explanation of the peninsula's geologic formation. It then examines periods of human occupation: the Paleoindian period, the Archaic period, the Formative or Ceramic period, and the Historic period. The chapters illuminate the eras by looking at representative sites from each time period. Seven maps, and over forty sketches and photographs supplement the text. Three appendices reproduce treaties negotiated with the region's native tribes, and two others document the legal requirements for archeological exploration. A glossary, a bibliography of works on edible botanicals, a bibliography and an index are included.

This work is about the first manatee ever conceived and born in captivity. The pregnancy was long (about 13 months), the mother was huge (over 900 pounds), and baby Lorelei was regarded by Zeiller and his coworkers at the Miami Seaquarium as a truly blessed event. Even one addition to the dwindling number of this endangered species was reason to rejoice. Zeiller's knowledge of the history and plight of this docile sea mammal is based on his work at the Seaquarium, where he helped develop the only extant breeding herd of manatees (including Lorelei's parents, Romeo and Juliet), the only gene pool of the animal in captivity at that time. With more than 100 photographs that help to document his personal experiences, Zeiller describes ""mercy"" missions with the Mermaid Rescue Squad to liberate animals caught in drainage ditches or to care for animals injured by boat propellers. He relates his efforts and adventures with Captain Jacques Cousteau to return ""Sewer Sam"" to the freedom of Crystal River. In uncomplicated language he presents scientific information on the habitat, distribution, physiology, and feeding and breeding habits of the manatee and its relatives. Manatees are nearing extinction not because of public insensitivity, he believes, but because of a lack of knowledge. His intention throughout the book is to increase public awareness of the crises. ""Destroying or saving 60,000,000 years of evolution is in our hands"", he writes. And, from the Epilogue: ""We have named Lorelei's son (Juliet's grandson) Hugh.