ofithe Ifthmus of America, 305 



About a Mile or 2 to the Weft ward of thefe 

 fmall Iflands, at the Mouth of the Bay of Nombre 

 de Dios, and about half a Mile or more from the 

 Shore, lie a few Iflands call'd the Baftimento's, for r - Ba P" 

 the moft part pretty high, and one peeked, and a\\™ emou 

 cloath'd with Woods. On one of them, (part of 

 which alfo was a fandy Bay, and a good Riding 

 and Landing-place) there is a Spring of very good 

 Water. I was afhore at this Ifland, and up and 

 down among the reft of them ; and all of them to- 

 gether make a very good Harbour between them 

 and the Ifthmus. The Bottom affords good ancho- 

 ring ; and there is good coming in with the Sea- 

 wand between the Eaftermoft Ifland and the next to 

 it, and going out with the Land-wind the fame way, 

 this being the chief Paffage. Further Weft, before 

 you come to Portobel^ lie 2 fmall Iflands, fiat, and Two o- 

 without Wood or Water. They are pretty clofether Ifics, 

 together ; and one of them I have been afliore up- 

 on. The Soil is fandy, and they are environed with 

 Rocks towards the Sea ; and they lie fo neax the 

 Ifthmus that there is but a very narrow Channel be- 

 tween, not fit for Ships to come into. 



The Shore of the Ifthmus hereabouts confifts 

 moftly of fandy Bays, after you are paft a Ridge of 

 Rocks that run out from the Bay of Nombre de Di- 

 fi, pointing toward the BafthnentoH. Beyond the The 

 Baftimento's to Portobel^ the Coaft is generally Neigh- 

 rocky. Within Land the Country is full of high ^or^lf 

 and fteep Hills, very good Land ; moft woody, t he//Z£* 

 unlefs where cleared for Plantations by Spanifh Indi-mus. 

 ans^ tributary to Portobel^ whither they go xk 

 Church. And thefe are the firft Settlements on ianu 

 this Coaft under the Spanifh Government, and lie 

 Scattering in lone Houfes or little Villages, from 

 hence to Tortobel and beyond ; with fome Look- 

 outs or Watches kept towards the Sea, for the Safe- 

 ty of the Town. In all the reft of the North-fide 



Vol. HI, X of 



