April 28, 1856.] KELLEY. 65 



Captain FitzKoy, f.r.g.s., said that the snbject of the connexion of the two 

 oceans was one of the most important that could be brought before the Society, 

 as it involved the interests not only of Europe and America, but of the whole 

 world. To discover the means of effecting it, so as to aOord a passage for the 

 largest ships, was the most practically useful problem in geography in the 

 present day. It had occupied attention from time to time during the last 

 three hundred years, but especially during the last half-century ; so that now 

 it was easy to obtain a mass of details, respecting most portions of the isthmus 

 of Central America, without leaving one's own country. In former discussions 

 before the Society, two projects for canals had been mentioned. One of these 

 was from the Gulf of San Miguel to Port Escoces ; the other from the mouth 

 of the Atrato to Cupica Bay. Humboldt had pointed out the advantages of 

 Cupica Bay, and the comparatively easy line of communication between it and 

 the Napipi Kiver. Since then, Cupica Bay had been surveyed, and had been 

 found to be one of the best harbours on that part of the coast. Commander 

 Wood, F.R.G.S., who surveyed it, stated that he landed from his ship in 

 Cupica Bay after breakfast, walked from the coast across the ridge, bathed in 

 the Napipi, and returned before 12 o'clock. In his opinion, the dividing ridge 

 was not more than 400 feet above the sea level. The communication, therefore, 

 in this part would be comparatively easy ; but whether this route or that be- 

 tween Humboldt Bay and the Truando, as pointed out by Mr. Kelley, be the 

 more practicable, can only be determined by an accurate survey of each. The 

 difficulty resulting from the climate, would apply equally to all the proposed 

 plans. It is excessively wet nearly all the year round. Only two or three 

 months are free from excessive rain ; yet those who have been much exposed 

 to it have suffered but little, as the experience of Mr. Kelley's exploring 

 parties testifies. Those who have crossed the isthmus in various places 

 also report favourably of the comparative healthiness of the climate. The 

 two precautions necessary to be taken, are, to provide abundant shelter 

 and wholesome food for those engaged in it. The settlers at Port Escoces 

 failed, entirely on account of their neglect of these two simple precautions. 

 Humboldt, who is the best authority on the whole of this region, and who 

 collated all the trustworthy accounts of it which he could find, is of opinion 

 that the route from Cupica Bay, along the Napipi, is the one offering the 

 greatest facility for a ship-canal. The fact that three lines, each offering a 

 probability of success, are now proi)osed to the world, furnishes a strong argu- 

 ment that an expedition should be undertaken to effect a more complete 

 survey. The matter is one that affects, in a greater degree, the rising gene- 

 ration, as the work would take a great many years to carry out ; but a 

 beginning should be made by ourselves. Like the Panama railway, it would 

 probably be found, eventually, a much more practicable undertaking than it is 

 generally thought to be. That railway now pays well ; ten years ago, the 

 attempt to construct it was by many deemed chimerical. In conclusion, 

 he considered it most desirable that an expedition should be sent out, 

 to explore thoroughly the three lines that had been indicated, that their rela- 

 tive merits might be compared. 



Mb. James Walker, c.e., f.r.g.s., said that the height of the water level 

 above the mean level of both oceans, was an important element of consideration, 

 and until this was determined accurately, it would be impossible to enter into the 

 hydrographical question. Again, the proposed diversion of part of the waters 

 of the Atrato into the Truando, would tend to diminish the stream of the 

 Atrato below its confluence with the Truando, its sectional area might be con- 

 siderably decreased, and the river might be thus unfitted for the navigation 

 of large vessels. A work of this description appeared to him to be impossible 

 without the use of locks, and the construction of the required tunnel would 

 be a very formidable work ; but, as the object to be attained was a great and 

 national one, the best thing that could be done would be to have a good 



