TOPOGEAPHY OF PANAMA. 



325 



and was almost abandoned when it lost that monopoly. It again became a busy 

 place during the rush of miners to the Californian goldfields, until the stream of 

 trade and travellers was deflected by the opening of the American railways 

 from ocean to ocean. Its prosperity was again revived when nearly 20,000 hands 



bo 



wei»e engaged on the interoceanic canal, and now it has entered on a third period 

 of decline. It must always, however, retain some importance, thanks to the rail- 

 way here crossing the isthmus, and to th-^ lines of steamers converging in its gulf, 

 from Polynesia, North and South America. 



