THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 171 



piled about in rich profusion, with gorgeous " turk's 

 heads," and other tropical plants and fruits, all of 

 which our ship was soon made to bear in great quan- 

 tities, giving its deck much the appearance of a 

 floating garden. The delicious sweet cldvimoya, or 

 " sweet sop," as it is familiarly called, is to be found 

 here in its greatest perfection, resembling very much 

 a custard, but of a more delicate flavor. Mangoes 

 are divided numerically into eleven qualities or 

 kinds, the eleventh being the smallest and choicest 

 fruit. On going ashore, we found the carriage pass 

 closed by a heavy gate, and consequently were 

 obliged to make our entree to the street, first, through 

 a long shop, overflowing with all kinds of knick- 

 nacks, and from thence through a drinking saloon, 

 out a narrow door, between two sable sentinels, 

 whose eyes glistened scarcely less than their polish- 

 ed arms. 



Wandering about the town, we stumbled upon, 

 or rather into, the railroad depot, and finding a train 

 of cars would soo:: leave for Spanish Town, the 

 seat of government, we took our seats in one for a 

 ride, having first paid three shillings sterling, each, 

 while the common people were privileged, in the 

 car next to us, for one. The road runs near the 

 coast most of the way, on low ground, and therefore 

 not much cultivated ; but along either side was a 

 hedge of aloes, w T hich, with their thick leaves armed 

 with thorns sticking out in every direction, presented 

 a very formidable obstacle to get over; indeed, we 

 believe a locomotive was never known to run into 

 them. 



