The geology of southern Florida, except for the Pliocene deposits, is not widely known among geologists and paleontologists. The popular concept is that there are very few outcrops in this part of the State. It is true that there are very few natural exposures, but the dredging of rivers and the construction of canals have made many exposures. The Tamiami formation is the only formation of Miocene age exposed at the surface that is recognized in southwestern Florida. The Hawthorn formation and the older Tertiary formations have been recognized in samples from wells in southern Florida.