312 ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 



Under the system pursued at present in the 

 Pacific^ the foreign merchant is the under- writer, 

 inasmuch as, were a heavy loss sustained, nine 

 times out of ten it would fall on the vender of 

 the goods ; therefore the establishment pro- 

 posed, would be productive of immense benefit 

 to the foreign community, of great utility to 

 native enterprise, and aid in bringing commer- 

 cial pursuits under a better system than is prac- 

 ticable at present. The risks in the navigation 

 of the Pacific, are limited ; but it is sufficient 

 that losses do occur, that shippers should have 

 the benefit of improving the advantages and 

 security afforded by insurance. 



The Isthmus of Panama. 



For the information of those who are unac- 

 quainted with the localities of Panama, and the 

 difficulties and facilities to be met with in the 

 transit of the isthmus, the following remarks 

 may be useful. The seasons are distinguished 

 by rainy season and dry season. From June 

 to November constitutes the former, and No- 

 vember to June the latter. During the rainy 

 season, the journey from the Pacific to the At- 

 lantic, can be performed in two days ; while in 

 the dry season twenty-four hours only are neces- 

 sary : from the Atlantic to the Pacific, during 



