IN THE PACIFIC. 137 



is simply an open roadstead, and is only safe 

 during the fine season. There is an inner 

 harbour suitable for very small craft, where 

 the coasting schooners lay up during the 

 hurricane months. On landing, one is imme- 

 diately attacked by myriads of sand-flies and 



D 



mosquitoes, and the only remedy is to keep 

 continually smoking; fortunately cigars are 

 plentiful and good. 



A considerable amount of cedar, rose, ebony, 

 and other fancy woods are shipped from this 

 port. The old town formerly stood on a hill 

 about a quarter of a mile from the present 

 straggling village ; it was destroyed by an 

 earthquake many years ago, and the ruins may 

 still be seen. 



The present place is unhealthy at certain 

 seasons of the year, owing to the malaria arising 

 from the mangrove swamps in the neighbour- 

 hood, the haunt of alligators, snakes, and 

 other noxious creatures. 



There is no shooting in the immediate vicinity 

 of the port ; but by following up a river, the 



