FLORA 
OF THE 
ISTHMUS OFPANAMA 
HISTORICAL NOTICE. 
When Columbus had dispelled the mist of ignorance and superstition ^vliich had hung over 
the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and had ascertained the existence of a Western Continent, 
a number of navigators steered for the New World. One of the most prominent among them 
■was Rodrigo de Bastidas, the discovcrcf of the country now termed the Isthmus of Panama. 
Bastidas left Cadiz in 1500, and having reached the mainlanH of America, he entered the 
Gulf of Uraba, and traced the shores of Darien as far as the port of Retrete, everywhere 
collecting natural curiosities, dycwoods, and other articles of commerce. Though most of 
the West Indian Islands and the coast from the southern parts of Brazil to the port of Retrete 
were now known, Columbus still entertained the opinion that by sailing westwai'd a passage 
to the East Indies would be fmuid. In the hope of effecting this communication he com- 
menced his fourth voyage, May 19th, 1502, and making for the mainland, discovered 
the coast between Cape Gracias a Dios and the harbom- when the explorations of Bastidas 
had tennlnated. A landing was effected in various places of Veraguas, and so delighted was 
Columbus with the luxuriance of the vegetation and the mineral wealtli, that he determined 
to leave a colony on the banks of the river Belen. The parties scut into the interior met with 
plenty of gold, and found the cultivation of Indian corn carried on to some extent, pine- 
apples growing on the roadsides, and palms fiunishing a dehcious wine ; all confirmed the 
richness of the country. The brilliant residts, however, expected from the estabhshment of 
a colony, were not reahzed. The Indians, finding that the white men were going to take 
\ . up a permanent abode, rose in defence of their liberty, and compelled the Spaniards to 
^ abandon their plans. Some time elapsed before the coimtry was again visited. In 1510, 
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