HARBOUR OF PANAMA. 



145 



fringed with plantain and banana trees, growing 

 amongst oranges, figs, and limes, and numberless 

 rich shrubs, shaded by the tamarind tree rising 

 higher than any of the others, excepting the tall 

 graceful cocoa-nut, with its feathery top and nak- 

 ed stem. Close to the ground, and almost hid 

 by the foliage, were clustered groups of cane built 

 huts, thatched with palm leaves ; and on the 

 sandy beach before them lay the canoes of the na- 

 tives, hollowed out of single trees ; while others 

 were paddling across the bay, or skimming along 

 under a mat sail, hoisted on a bamboo mast ; all 

 contributing, with the clear sky and hot weather, 

 to give a decidedly tropical aspect to the scene. 



Our surprise on landing was considerable, when 

 we heard the negroes and negresses who crowded 

 the wharf all speaking English, with a strong ac- 

 cent, which we recognised as that of the West In- 

 dies ; a peculiarity acquired from the constant in- 

 tercourse kept up, across the isthmus, with Ja- 

 maica. Most of the natives also spoke English 

 more or less corrupted. Innumerable other tri- 

 vial circumstances of dress and appearance, and 

 manners, conspired to make us feel that we had 



VOL. II. K 



