1 
60 BOTANY OF THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. HERALD. 
ho'wever, two expeditions arrived, one of which having formed the settlement of Santa Maria 
el Antigua del Darien, the territory was explored in all directions, and as early as 1513 
Vasco Nunez de Balboa succeeded in crossing the Isthmus and proving the existence of a 
southern ocean. ■ After a lapse of some years Francisco Pizarro, and tM'o associates, planned 
an expedition for conquering Peru. The scheme was successful ; the remaining portion of 
the coast was traced, and the country thus clearly defined. 
Spain jealously excluded foreigners from her colonies, and treated intruders with the 
utmost severity. All knowledge which could tend to familiarize other nations with these 
territories was withheld, and the rest of Ein-ope was almost ignorant of the regions con- 
quered. But this policy met with the retribution it deserved, calhng into existence that 
formidable association the Buccaneers, who, by making constant inroads into the Spanish 
territories, became as familiar with most parts as they were with their own country. The 
Buccaneers did not all belong to the mere scum of society ; among them were men of the 
highest acquirements. Lionel Wafer, for instance, pubhshed the first account of Darien, 
Dampier furnished some valuable notes on the climate and fruits of Panama, and another 
of the rovers described, amongst other interesting objects, the Cedron, a tree, the virtues of 
which have only lately become more generally known. After the suppression of the Bucca- 
neers a Scottish colony was formed on the northern coast of Darien. Unfortimately this 
estabhshment, important as it might have proved by affording information of a country so 
little explored, was soon given up; and from that period (1700) until the end of the last 
century no publications appeared relative to the Isthmus. It must not, however, be sup- 
posed that the Spaniards themselves were ignorant of the countries over which their rule 
extended. Men of eminence were frequently sent to draw up reports on the resources of 
the colonies ; and it was to one of these expeditions that Thaddeus Hsenke, a Bohemian, 
was attached as Botanist. Hsenke arrived at the city of Panama towards the end of 1790, 
and though his stay was short, he formed considerable collections, a part of which was 
made knoAvn by Prcsl, under the title of 'Behqulae Haenkeanae.* 
Prom the first, Spain had laid do^y^l the maxim that learning did not become Creoles. 
Everj'thing that could elevate the mind was prohibited. A printing-press was a privilege 
only granted to three of the Vice-royalties j the study of chemistry was not permitted, and 
the works of the celebrated Mutis, though purely botanical, were not allowed to be pubhshed. 
This course was pursued through several centuries ; at last came the Revolution,— the heroic 
struggle,— the independence. All obstacles impeding the progress of science were cleared 
away, and encoiu-agcmcnt was given to every branch of learning. Naturalists wxre allowed 
^ to explore the countries in every direction, and the Republican governments, whatever may 
have been then- faults, always showed themselves willing to aid scientific men in their pursuits ; 
a striking contrast, indeed, to the conduct of the Spanish administration. 
One of the first to take advantage of the change was Hugh Cuming, an Englishman. 
Having, during a residence in Valparaiso, become the o^raer of a vessel, and possessinrr a 
