FLORA OF THE ISTmiUS OF PANA5U. C3 
The coast is fringed vdili islands. The largest on tlie Atlantic side arc tlic Escudo de 
Veragiias, and those situated in the Lagoon of Chirirpi ; various others of smaller size, kno-mi 
to voyagers by the name of Cayos, or Keys, are scattered along the shores, but all are thinly 
inhabited and little frequented. Of greater importance and more populous are the islands on 
the opposite coast. Several groups, the Secos, Parcdes, Ladrones, and Contrcras, lie off Vera- 
guas ; another cluster, of which Coyba, Gobernadora, and Cebaco are the largest, exists near 
the Bay of Montijo ; a little Archipelago, the Pearl Islands, also known by the synonyms of 
Islas del Rey, Islas del Istmo, and Islas dc Colombia, valuable from the number of pearls 
collected there, is situated at the entrance of the Bay of Panama ; while the Taboga group, 
in the neighbourhood of Panama, though smaller, is, on account of its position and high 
cultivation, not less important. Some of the islands are truly enchanting. The liabitations, 
having probably been pitched on a fine sandy beach strewed with shells, are almost hidden 
by groves of tamarinds, plantains, and oranges. Wild vines and Passion-flowers cover the 
roofs ; Calabash- trees show their large pumpkin-like fruit, and white, purple, and yellow 
Plumierias diffuse a delightful odoiu"; the whole contrasting charmingly with the sombre 
hues of the primeval forest, and the light green of the savanas. 
The Isthmus is not distinguished for high mountains. The mighty chain of the Andes, 
after traversing the continent of South America, decreases when approaching this narrow 
neck of land, and in the province of Panama is hardly recognizable in a ridge of hills seldom 
exceeding 1000 feet in height. On entering Veraguas tlie Cordillera attain a greater eleva- 
tion, and in the volcano of Chiriqui present the most elevated part of the Istlnnus, a peak 
7000 feet high. The ridge is covered with forests, and is chiefly confined to the central and 
northern districts. The coast of the Pacific Ocean, especially the Cantons of Natu, Santiago, 
and Alanje, abounds in grassy plains, or savanas, of great extent, which by affording pasture 
to numerous herds of cattle constitute the principal riches of the country. Volcanoes, all 
now extinct, rise in different parts. The highest is the Chiriqui; another, about 3000 feet 
in elevation, called the Janano, is at Cape Corrientes in Daricn, and several others are 
reported to exist in Veraguas ; even the island of Taboga has been considered as a portion 
of a crater. But, though destitute of active volcanoes, the Isthmus by no means enjoys an 
immunity from earthquakes. Some rather severe shocks, coming from the west, and having 
apparently tliek origin in Central America, are now and then experienced, especially during 
the dry season. But they do not seem to exercise any baneful influence on the vegetation, 
as is the case in Peru, where, after severe shocks, corn-fields have been known to wither. 
With the exception of the higher moimtains, where the temperature is comparatively 
low, the climate is hot and rainy. The seasons are distributed into wet and dry. The rains 
commence with the appearance of the new moon in April, and are in the beginning mere 
passing showers, but they gradually increase, and are fully established towards the end of 
May, when they fall in torrents, sometimes for days together in succession, and are accom- 
panied by thunder and lightning of the most terrific description. Save a few days about 
