Mineralogy and Geology. 125 
ity of this portion of the globe — justify such an undertaking. The 
time has, nevertheless, arrived, when public attention should be directed 
Isthmus is on the increase, and, consequently, some immediate and im- 
portant cs Lier to is Tequired to » facilitate ‘the transit. 
The surface betw ‘gona, Cruces, and Panama, gradually, and 
with gentle wi diivuthoin, slopes towards the Pacific, and is covered with 
various groups of conical hills, decomposed rocks, colored clay, sand, and 
loose stones. A section, from the mouth of the River aS 
near the base of the Cordillera of Trinidad, then a rapid ascent of 450 
feet, followed by a corresponding fall to the Pacific. “A section, from 
the center of the mines (Ensenada-de minas) at Panama, shows a suc- 
cession of deep oes aaa as far as Gorgona, and from thence a grad- 
all to the coast. Another section, from Portobello, begins with a 
Hnpid: ascent from the bier ; it then follows the turns of the rocks and 
falls of the rivers Grande and Gatun, amounting to an elevation of 1000 
feet, and concludes with a rapid descent to the River Chagres. A 
diagonal section, from the mouth of the:Chagres, along the river, as far 
as Gorgona, and from'thence to Panama, embraces the lowest point of 
depression between the two seas ; the highest point in this section is 
between the River Grande, and the Obispo, which does not exceed 150 
feet ; consequently, with 1 ‘both to level'and distance, this line of- 
fers greater attractions and facilities than any in another direction, for 
making an easy and comparatively cheap communication across the 
isthmus. ‘ 
- Notwithstanding the want of a port at Chagres, and the excellency 
of the port of Portobello, the first place is made use of, and is at present 
the only profitable point for the transit. As there is little or no coasting 
trade (comercio costonero) worth mentioning, nor any internal trade, the 
ports are necessarily rendered dependent on the facilities offered by the 
darics a the purposes of internal transit: this is the reason why 
eprived Portobello of its shipping, and caused it to be al- 
most skidoned: There ought to be some prospect of increase in rot 
internal resources—i. e., in the production and consumption, a 
merely in the transport, to justify the formation of any thing better chat 
a good mule-road from Portobello to the south of the great chain. 
‘good aor 5 would answer for passengers, money, and light articles ; 
but it would not serve the general purposes of commerce, as it w: 
probably increase the expenses and delays, and would be more - 
posed to det it i 
Tt stipeats to me ste this great question, of improving the sialic. 
cation between the two seas, ought to be considered asa Doe agreed 
= iattnpaeie and that every arene wannulue ought to be od Aged 
