190 
VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS; 
sap and sounder than when felled before the full." The rainy 
season is also regarded as an unfavorable time, on account of 
the migration of the insects, who then leave the soil and take 
refuge in drier places. In the report of Mr. W. H. Sidell to 
Colonel Hughes on the vegetation of the Isthmus of Panama, he 
says : " It is the universal opinion of the inhabitants of the 
country, that the quality of the timber is influenced by the time 
of cutting in regard to the age of the moon. It is a fact within 
my own observation, that no wood should be cut before the 
moon is full. I paid little attention to this popular belief until 
I found by experience that such is really the case. Insects will 
attack wood that will not be touched by them if cut after the 
full moon. This is very evident, if the wood is of a soft and 
spongy nature. Some vegetable productions will prove this in 
a most striking manner. If our common thatch be gathered 
under a new moon, it will rot in a few months, and be attacked 
by worms, while it will last from fifteen to twenty years if gath- 
ered at the full moon. Those who many years ago built houses 
in this country, are now most particular in selecting their woods 
after this manner." 
In conclusion, it is utterly impossible, even at a momentary 
glance like this, not to be struck with the value of the boundless 
riches which nature has showered into the lap of the Isthmus ; 
nor can we estimate the changes to be effected, or the benefits 
to result from their gathering, " when its soil shall become the 
emporium of commerce, and teem with wealth and abundance." 
Even the outline which we haw traced presents but a feeble 
delineation of the golden harvest which is to be reaped in the 
future. Nevertheless, sufficient has doubtless been said to awa- 
ken attention to the natural resources of this favored region, and 
to show beyond question the present and prospective value of 
that which already exists. 
