OF PANAMA. 



29 



Velo is therefore very inconfiderable, and the greatefl part of thefe negroes 

 and mulattoes j the whites continuing no longer here than they can acquire 

 a moderate fortune, when they retire to Panama to enjoy it j a fufficient 

 proof of the unhealthinefs of Porto Velo,^ fince it is forfaken by thofe to 

 whom it gave birth. Provifions are fcarce at Porto Velo, and confequently 

 dear, particularly during the time of the fair, when large fuppiies are fent 

 ■from Panama and Carthagena. The only thing in plenty here is fifli, of 

 which there is a great variety, and extremely good. It alfo abounds in fu- 

 gar canes, fo that the miferable cottages in the country are built with them. 

 Frefh water pours down in ftreams from the mountains, thefe waters are light 

 and digeftive, qualities which in any other pait of the world would be valu- 

 able, but are here pernicious. The country feems to be curfed by nature, fo 

 that what is in itfelf good, is here deftruftive for this water being too fine 

 and adtive for the flomachs of the inhabitants, produces dyfcnteries, the laft 

 ftage of other diftempers, and from which the patient feldom or never reco- 

 vers. As the forefh almoft borders on the town, the tigers often make incur- 

 fions into the ftreets, during the night, carrying off fowls, dogs, and do- 

 meftic animals j even children have often fallen a prey to thefe ravenous crea- 

 tures. Serpents are alfo very numerous, and remarkably deftrudlive ; but the 

 number of toads exceeds any thing of that kind hitherto known. When it 

 has rained more than common in the night, the fhreets and fquares in the 

 morning are paved with thefe reptiles j fo that you cannot ftep without tread- 

 ing on them, which is fometimes productive of troublefome bites ; for, they 

 are not only poifonous, but large enough for their teeth to be feverely felt. 

 They are generally about fix inches in length, and their number is fo great, 

 that nothing can be imagined more difmal than their croakings during the 

 night in all parts of the town, woods, and caverns of the mountains. 



C H A G R E, 



