82 



ON THE TOrOGKAPHY AND UEOLOGY 



canoes, and are only of interest from the amonnt of area that they drain. East of 

 the Macoris are the rivers Yuma, Puiahon and Soco, small streams winding through 

 the plain. Between the Macoris and the Ozama is the Brujueles, a mere rivulet in 

 width, but of great length, which has no mouth, but sinks into the plain at a distance 

 of several miles from the coast. The Ozama receives two branches, the Yabacoa 

 from the east, and the Isabella from the west, both large streams, the latter coming 

 out of the mountains near the head of the Jaina. The rivers of the second class, 

 those rising at a distance from the main water-shed, are the JSTigua, Bani, Yia, and 

 others of less note. Although so much of this side of the island is plain, it is all 

 well watered ; the traveller need never suifer from thirst, unless perhaps in the vicinity 

 of Azua, where streams are scarce. , 



The principal harboi's on the coast are the great Bay of Ocoa, well shut in ffom all 

 winds except that from the south ; Calderas Bay, an entirely land-locked lake, opening 

 to the westward, and furnishing as good a harbor as could be desired, and Santo 

 Domingo, a mere roadstead. Yessels here have to lie a quarter or even half a mile 

 from the shore, where a good anchorage is afforded, although with but little jjrotection 

 from storms. Vessels drawing not more than ten feet of water can enter the river, 

 and tie up at the city front. Besides these, there are innumerable little ports, avail- 

 able for coasters ; the best one of which is Palenque, near the mouth of the ISTizao 

 River. 



Otf the coast are a few islands of but little importance and, except Alta Vela, 

 uninhabited. Saona Island at the southeast corner is nearly crescent shaped, about 

 fifteen miles long and two or three miles wide. It is flat, densely wooded and abounds 

 principally in mahogany, goats, logwood, and mosquitoes. Catalina and Catalinita 

 Islands near it, are much smaller, very similar and even less remarkable. Off the 

 extreme south point of the southern i)eninsula is Beata Island, very similar to Saona, 

 except in size and in being slightly elevated in the middle. It is about three miles 

 wide by five long, and is covered with a thorny thicket in which the "cat's-claw" or 

 " wait-a-bit " vine predominates, to the detriment of the clothing of the unfortunate 

 who ventures to explore it. 



Southwest of Beata is the still smaller islet of Alta Vela, a high hill of five or 

 six hundred acres, looking at a distance like a ship under sail, whence its name. It 

 is noted for a deposit of hard phosphate of alumina, which has attracted various 

 persons who have mined here with indifterent success for a number of years. The 

 island is entirely without fresh water, the supply being either brought from Beata or 

 distilled on the spot. In its neighborhood is a group of naked rocks known as Alta 

 Velita, having nothing about them, however, worth}^ of note. 



