THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 365 
Linn.), Fuca (Manihot utilissima, Pohl), Batata or Camote (Batatas 
edulis, Chois.), Où (Arum esculentum, Linn.), and Papas (Solanum 
tuberosum, Linn.). All these plants, except the Potato, are propagated 
merely by cutting off the top of the roots (tubers, corms, &e.). The 
vitality of these cuttings is very great; they may be left for weeks on 
the field, exposed to sun and rain, without receiving any injury. Many 
other vegetables are treated in a similar manner in tropical America. 
In Ecuador the tops of the Aracacha remain three or four months out 
of the ground, and when at last they are planted, thrive as well as if 
they had been subjected to the most attentive treatment. 
Other vegetables “grown are the Challote (Sechium edule, Swartz), 
Guineo (Musa sapientum, Linn.), Guandu (Cajanus bicolor, DC.), Mani 
(Arachis hypogea, 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 
difficulty in the lower region ; they never form any heads, and are not 
much liked, Tomatos (Lycopersicum esculentum, Mill.) and different 
kinds of 4ji (Capsicum, sp. pl.) are cultivated in considerable quan- 
tities, and used as condiments for culinary purposes. 
With this enumeration I conclude. It would be foreign to the 
subject to touch upon the other branches of agriculture, branches 
practised as rudely as that relating to the cultivation of the fields. 
Perhaps, in a few years the old system will be overturned, and a new 
one be established. The great impulse given to every kind of industry 
in the Pacific by the ‘discovery of gold in California, and the constant 
demand for eatables which that event has oceasioned, will do their 
work. In the Isthmus it must produce a progress in agriculture, 
which, besides increasing the opulence of the country, will have a most - 
beneficial effect upon the climate. According to Dr. G. Gardner, the 
seasons of Rio de Janeiro were formerly similar to those of Portobello, 
Chirambirá, 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 surrounding the city, the climate has become dry ; in fact, so 
much has the quantity of rain diminished, that the Brazilian Govern- 
ment was obliged to pass a law prohibiting the felling of trees in the 
Corcovado range. The same effect will probably be produced in the 
Isthmus. When the immense forests, which at present cover the 
greater portion of the country, have been reduced, and a free circula- 
