xii 



CONTENTS. 



ledgments — The Orleans princes — Road across the island — Cot- 

 ton plant— Batabano — Supposed encroachments of the sea — 

 Gloom of the marshes — Cocodrilos and Caymans — Their habits 

 and characteristics — Specimens — Comparison with those of South 

 America — Suggestions — Dampiers description of them — Embar- 

 cation — Discomfort on board — Gulf of Batabano — Isle of Pines 

 — Jardines and Jardinillos — Struggle of Columbus here — Beauti- 

 ful phenomenon — Temperatures of the sea — Clearness of the water 

 — Cause thereof — Incompetency of pilot — Anchor at night — 

 Multitude of shooting-stars — Absence of life in these regions — 

 Contrast with the time of Columbus — Arts of the Indian fisher- 

 men — Similar arts among other uncivilized nations — Visit to the 

 Cays — Their geognostic constitution — Does the sea grow shallow 

 here — Cay Bonito — Pelicans — Barbarity of the sailors — Vegeta- 

 tion — Charm of these regions — Memories of Columbus and Cortes 

 Columbus and the natives — Fleets of pirogues from Yucatan — 

 Hopes of Columbus — His remarkable vision — His pathetic com- 

 plaints — Hernan Cortes — Stranding of his ship — Gathering of his 

 fleet — Fall of Mexico — Strange vicissitudes — Cay Flamenco — 

 Fresh water on the Cays — Springs in the sea — Similar springs at 

 Cardenas — The Manatee — Dampier's description of it— Cay de 

 Piedras — The open sea — Its temperature — Marshy coast — Las 

 Casas grant of Indians — Bay of Jagua — Cienfuegos — Hills of San 

 Juan — A bold coast — Mexican wax found in Cuba — River San 

 Juan — Remains of native inhabitants — Sea temperature — Arrival 

 at the river Guaurabo — Ludicrous conveyance to the city — 

 Trinidad — Absence of snow — First settlement — Fine view — Astro- 

 nomical observations — Hospitality — Dinner given by the governor 

 — Complaints of the inhabitants— Ports of Trinidad, Guaurabo — 

 Casilda — An agreeable evening — Cuban ladies — Departure from 

 Trinidad — Stately conveyance — Fire-flies — Interesting anecdote 

 — Conclusion 350 



