ANTHROPOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 27 



The pass is still called " La Ventana," because on the way 

 from the bay you are immersed in the sombre forest; but 

 on reaching the top a magnificent vista of mountain, forest, 

 and sea lies at the feet. 



In 1676 the French took possession of the island and held 

 it until 1797, when it fell into the hands of the British. By 

 this time Port of Spain had replaced St. Joseph, and the 

 latter was buried in the common forest growth. 



Not over fifty years ago Las Cuevas was a sugar planta- 

 tion. It was then abandoned and remained uncultivated 

 until a few years since, when it was bought for a cocoa 

 orchard. Everywhere an impenetrable forest shut out the 

 sun, and no evidence could be found that it had been the 

 abode of man. 



On the Determination of the Age of Prehistoric Remains. 

 By EDWARD P. LULL. 



To ilustrate the caution that should be exercised in* esti- 

 mating the age of prehistoric remains from their state of 

 decay and the appearance of the covering of earth, vegeta- 

 ble growth and forests, Commander Lull gave an account 

 of some observations made by himself of the remains of a 

 Scottish Colony, established by Pattison at Caledonia Bay, 

 Isthmus of Darien, and which was abandoned early in the 

 last century. 



A large area on Point Escoses, occupied and fortified by 

 the colonists, was enclosed on the inshore side by a moat 

 excavated in rock. Thanks to the latter fact, it is distinctly 

 traceable. The enclosed space is not only heavily timbered 

 with exogenous trees of numerous kinds, but many of the 

 trees have decayed and fallen. One end of the moat for an 

 eighth of a mile, or more, is completely filled with logs and 

 other debris. No difficulty was found in wading through 

 the remaining portions. The moat being, as stated, cut 

 through the soil and into the bed-rock offered an efficient 



