Grayson.] 264 [June 7, 



convenience or comfort was out of the question. We landed with- 

 out difficulty, (there being no surf), upon a beautiful shingly beach, 

 over which was scattered shells and snow-white coral in profusion. 

 We were received with a considerable degree of suspicion on the 

 part of the proprietor, Don Andres Somilara, and it took some time 

 to satisfy him of the object of my visit. He may justly be called 

 Lord of the Isle, being the pioneer to this primitive region. 



"Maria Madre is about fifteen miles in length, by ten or twelve in 

 width. At the extreme southern end there is a salt pond yielding 

 an abundance of salt for exportation, but at present no attention is 

 paid to it. The salt is crystallized or formed by the flow and ebb of 

 the tide, which filters through a narrow sand ridge dividing it from 

 the sea. The pond, which is clean and free from brush and weeds, is 

 about three-fourths of a mile long and a hundred and fifty yards 

 wide. Maria Magdelena is twelve miles in length and nine or ten in 

 width ; it is unoccupied and covered with a grand forest of fine tim- 

 ber. The immense cedar (Cectrela odoratd) grows in great abun- 

 dance on this island, not having been disturbed by the wood cutters. 

 This tree makes the finest lumber in the world. It is also common 

 to the coast of Tierra Caliente. Cleofa, the smallest of the three 

 islands, is also well wooded and has a good little port. All these is- 

 lands, except Juanito, are covered with a dense forest from the water's 

 edge to the top of the highest hills. The shape of the trees (of 

 which there is a great variety), is generally straight or straighter 

 and taller than upon the main. There is but little thorny under- 

 brush, so characteristic of the Tierra Caliente. 



"The morning of the 6th was bright, the air soft and balmy. As I 

 entered the magnificent forest upon the duties of my. mission, it was 

 with no little pleasure I found the woods well supplied with birds, 

 and noticed their remarkable docility. Many of the species were 

 familiar to me, others entire strangers. I was surprised to find some 

 of the species common to the main land, so tame as to be easily 

 taken by the boys with a running noose upon the end of a rod or 

 pole, whilst upon the main they are difficult to approach within gun 

 shot. With but one or two exceptions the birds on these Islands are 

 very tame, and look with but little concern upon the intruder in 

 their shady retreats. Another fact worthy of note is that they are 

 all very fat, so much so as to render the preparation and preserva- 

 tion of the specimens difficult. The papers in which they are en- 

 veloped become saturated with oil, while the skins were being dried. 



