HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



199 



remain ; and the frowning walls and towers of the 

 battery, fronting the bay, are the principal features 

 of the town of Panama. Since the commencement 

 of the emigration to California, a number of Ameri 

 cans have established hotels and eating-houses in the 

 town, and good accommodations are, therefore, to be 

 obtained by travellers. 



The atmosphere at Panama is particularly injurious 

 to people from the northern climes, and great care 

 must be taken by travellers during their stay at that 

 place. It is best to avoid eating fruit altogether ; but, 

 if indulged in, it should be in very inconsiderable 

 quantities. Exposure to the mid-day sun is a fre 

 quent cause of sickness among the travellers, tind 

 should be avoided, as well as exposure to the rain. 

 During the rainy season, the vomito is often prevalent 

 among the inhabitants of Panama, and is generally a 

 fatal disease; but there is a great deal less travel 

 across the Isthmus during that season, on account of 

 the sickliness of the climate and the difficulties of the 

 route. A sort of bilious fever and dysentery are the 

 most common forms of disease among travellers from 

 the north ; but both may be avoided by proper care. 



From Panama, steamships of superior size and 

 accommodation, convey passengers to San Francisco. 

 Starting from the front of the city, the beautiful bay, 

 with its semi-circular shores skirted with green foliage 

 and inclosed with high mountains, and the lofty 

 islands of Flamingo, Perico, Taboga, and others, 

 present themselves to the view. At the island of Ta 

 boga, all the vessels that come into the bay obtain 

 their supplies, and the Pacific Mail Steamship Com 

 pany have established their depot for coal, &c., on 

 its shores. After obtaining all the necessary supplies, 



