34 BRITISH HONDURAS. 



(Sabal), coco-nut, cohune, or pimento-palm. Often the slender 

 stems of the latter, after being cleaned, are driven into the 

 ground closely together, and they form an excellent stockade, 

 or side walls, for houses. Amongst the Spaniards, it is usual 

 to build the houses with square ends, but the roof is shaped 

 with circular ends overlapping the walls, so as to admit the air 

 freely, but keep out the glare and heat. 



Below Point Ycacos, is the mouth of the Deep Eiver, and 

 a large spacious bay, with splendid anchorage, called Port 

 Honduras. 



On the banks of the Deep Eiver, and along the shores of Port 

 Honduras, it is said there is the site for a thriving town, if not 

 the capital of the colony. It is easy of access, free from 

 dangerous shoals, and in the immediate neighbourhood of 

 magnificent lands. 



Speaking of the district between the Monkey and Deep 

 Eivers, Mr. Fowler remarks : " The formation of the country 

 between these two rivers shows strong indications of minerals, 

 and many specimens of ore have been obtained from the 

 neighbouring hills. Iron, principally with traces of gold and 

 silver, have been found, and a hot sulphur spring bubbles up 

 out of the bed of the Deep River about 30 miles from the 

 mouth." 



At the lower, or southern end of Port Honduras, is the 

 landing place for the Seven Hills district. Here is one of the 

 largest sugar estates in the colony, owned by Mr. De Brot, 

 and under the management of Mr. William Morison. The 

 cultivated portions of this estate are very prettily situated, 

 occupying rich sheltered glades and valleys covered by sugar- 

 cane, and surrounded by low rounded wooded hills. The latter 

 are chiefly composed of a finely laminated compact limestone, 

 which yields lime of good quality. 



