FLORA OF THE ISTHMTJS OF PANAMA. 73 
variety. Besides many indigenous ones, there are to be found the Aguacate {Persea 
gratissima, Gaertn.), Anona {Anona sp.), Aqui {Cnpania Akecsia, Canibcss.), Chirimoga 
(Anona Cherimolia, Mill), Graiiadilla {Passiflora quaJra?igdanSy Linn.), Mo {Sj)0)fdias 
luica, Linn.), Lima {Citrus Limetfo, Risso), Liinoii {Citrus Limonum, Risso), Mammeg de 
Cartagena {Mammea Americana, Linn.), Mango {Mangifera Indica, Limi.), Melon {Cucumis 
Melo, Linn.), Naranja agria {Citrus vulgaris, Risso), Naranja dulce {Citrus Aurantitm, 
Risso), Palo de Pan {Artocarjjffs incisa, Linn.), Papaya {Carica Papaya, Linn.), Pina 
{Ananassa vulgaris, Lindl.), Pomarosa {Jamhosa vulgaris, DC), different species of Ciruclaa 
{Sjjondias, sp. pi), and Toronjil {Citrus Becumana, Linn.). 
The Plantain fiu-nishes the inhabitants Avith the chief portion of their food. The escu- 
lent roots under cultivation are f^ame {Bioscorea alata, Linn.), Yuca {Manihot utUimma, 
Pohl), Batata or Caraote {Batatas edulis, Chois.), Otb {Arum escutentum, Linn.), and Papas 
{Solanum tuberosum, Linn.). Except the Potato, all these plants are proi)agatud by cutting 
off the top of the roots (tubers, corms, etc.). The vitahty of these cuttings is very great; 
they may be left for weeks on the field, exposed to sun and rain, without receiving any 
injury. Other vegetables grown are the CJiallote {Sechium cdule, Swartz), Guineo {Musa 
sapienium, Linn.), Guandu {Cajanus Indlcus, Spr.), Mani {AracJiis hypogcea, Linn.), Pepino 
{Cucumis sativus, Linn.), Sapallo {Cucurbita Melopepo, Linn.), Lechuga {Lactuca sativa, 
Linn.), and Col {Brassica oleracea, Linn.). The Lettuce and Cabbage are raised with diffi 
culty in the lower region ; they never form any heads, and are not much liked. Tomatos 
{Lycopersicum esmlentum, I\im.) and different kinds of Aji {Capsicum sp. pi.) are cultivated 
in considerable quantities, and are used as condiments for cuhnar\^ pmi^oscs. 
The other branches of agriculture are practised as nidely as that relating to the cultiva- 
tion of the fields. Perhaps in a few years the old system wiU be overtm'ned, and a new one 
be estabhshed. The great impulse given to every kind of industry in the States bordering 
on the Pacific Ocean by the discovery of gold in California and Austraha, and the demand 
for food which that event has occasioned, will do their work. They must produce a progress 
in agriculture, which, besides increasing the opulence of the country, will have a beneficial 
effect upon the climate. The seasons of Rio de Janeiro were formerly sunilar to those of 
Portobelo, Chirambira, and other parts of the Isthmus,— they could hardly be divided into 
wet and dry. But since the axe was laid on the dense forests siurounding the city, the 
climate has become dry ; in fact, so much has the quantity of ram diminished, that the 
BraziUan Government was obhgcd to pass a law prohibiting the felling of trees m the Cor- 
covado range. The same effect vAW probably be produced in the Isthmus. AMien the 
immense forests, which at present cover the greater portion of the comitry, shall have been 
reduced, and a free circulation of air from sea to sea has been estabhshed, the rainy season 
will be considerably shorter, and the chmate become cooler and more healthy ; but to what 
extent that change may be accomphshed is a problem which industry will have to solve. 
