June 23, 1856.] GISBORNE. 91 



Isthmus of Central America. The Eeport recommended the survey of one of 

 them, near which a raih-oad has since been constructed. It furnished the Hol- 

 land contract for that through Lake Nicaragua, to which the King of Holland 

 subscribed half a million of guilders. This subsg-iption was abandoned, the sub- 

 sequent severance of Belgium from Holland having proved fatal to" the renewal 

 of the efforts of the Dutch to execute this work ; and at present it is pro- 

 bable that, without the interposition and some concurrent arrangement between 

 the Governments of those States most interested in its execution, it may yet 

 be long delayed, if ever executed. Before he concluded. General Mercer 

 begged to observe that he owed it to Mr. Kelley of New York to say, what we 

 must all think, that if, by an open cut from sea to sea, and the Atrato and 

 Truando rivers, a navigable canal of the dimensions which he proposes can 

 be constructed, it is greatly to be preferred to any communication between 

 those oceans by locks ; for, however they may be multiplied and provided with 

 intervening pools of water, of sufiScient dimensions to facilitate and hasten 

 the i^assage through them of very large ships, it may be questioned whether 

 there would not be very inconvenient delay often incurred, and the utility of 

 the entire line of intercommunication be impeded, by the number of vessels 

 seeking a passage through the locks. The only doubt that as yet appears to 

 hang over the Atrato route, arises from the possible insalubrity of the 

 country through which it is to pass. 



A Visitor having asked General Mercer if the climate on the Nicaragua 

 route would be unhealthy, he answered, that it was probable that it would 

 not be so, as several considerable cities existed in its vicinity, and a road 

 through it to the Lake and the river St. Juan had been, for several years, used 

 for the transit of persons and property passing between the States of Oregon 

 and California, both to and from the United States, without a complaint or a 

 suggestion having been heard that the climate is unfavourable to health. 



He acknowledged the inquiry to be most pertinent, as ill health would con- 

 stitute a very serious impediment to the progress of a work so laborious, and 

 would greatly enhance its cost. He had heard it said at New Orleans, that the 

 very beautiful road between that city and Lake Pontchartrain, was made of 

 oyster-shells and Irishmen. 



The Chairman, in conclusion, said that these propositions of American 

 citizens, were in every way entitled to the consideration of the Society, espe- 

 cially that which had been made by Mr. Kelley, and to which General Mercer, 

 of the United States, gave the preference over the Nicaragua route, as examined 

 by himself. It was most important to bear in mind, that Mr. Kelley came 

 from America, chiefly for the purpose of inducing the English and French 

 Governments to unite with the American authorities in a great joint geo- 

 graphical survey of the whole of the Darieu territory, with the view of finally 

 determining upon the best line for the construction of a great canal without 

 locks, and by which the largest vessels might pass. 



He heartily wished that Mr. Kelley might succeed in this great and philan- 

 thropic project, which so deeply interested all civilized nations. 



Fourteenth Meeting, June 23, 1856 (last Meeting of the Session). 

 Rear- Admiral F. W. BEECHEY, President, in the Chair. 



Messrs. W. Ferguson, John Torrance, and H. J. "Williams were 

 officially introduced upon their election. 



Professor P. A. Munch, of the University of Christiania, was, upon 

 the recommendation of the Council, elected a Corresponding Member ; 



