200 



PANAMA. 



The variety of trees^ shrubs, and vegetation 

 of every sort, baffles description. Very few, 

 comparatively, of these productions, have been 

 noticed by the natives, who have not even dis- 

 tinguished them by separate names ; and the 

 profusion of extraordinary plants with which 

 this soil is teeming, vying with each other in 

 magnificence, beauty, and colour, I should think 

 must still present an unexplored field to the 

 researches of the naturalist. I lament that 

 my botanical science is too limited to take ad- 

 vantage of the opportunity. 



I have several times walked to the house of 

 a Spaniard, near the town, to see his garden, 

 which abounds with tropical plants and fruits. 

 From him I have procured some valuable seeds, 

 which I intend to take to England. He also 

 has some birds clothed in magnificent blue 

 plumage, which sing indifferently ; but here the 

 ea thered tribe, in size, colour, and species, is 



