242 SPOUTING ADVENTURES 



to have borrowed largely from his imagina- 

 tion. 



In other respects Coiba deserves the glowing 

 description given of it. It is a beautiful island, 

 densely wooded with every kind of tropical 

 tree, and possessing excellent water, and a 

 good anchorage. The wood which we got 

 here was of the very best quality for steaming 

 purposes, some of the trees are of great size, 

 and are well adapted for masts and spars. 



"Whilst lying at anchor in Damas Bay I 

 noticed that although the sea-breeze set in 

 with great strength, raising a considerable sea 

 in the bay, it remained calm in the offing, and 

 on taking our departure with a fine breeze, we 

 were disappointed at losing it as soon as we 

 were clear of the bay, and whilst we remained 

 becalmed for several hours, we could see that a 

 strong breeze was blowing in the harbour all 

 the time. 



I have frequently noticed this in other tro- 

 pical places, and account for it by supposing 

 that the wind blows into these ports like 



