OF SANTO DOMINGO. 



199 



the plain to, and beyond Azua. In some spots near Azna there are small, very local 

 patches of coast limestone more impure than that deposited farther seaward, and 

 overlaid not by the usual red earth but by a dazzling whitish calcareous soil. 



In the mountains on the river Cuevas Mr. Pennell found the gray sandstones of 

 Maniel, Iliguereta and las Tablas, gray clay shales similar to those on the Ocoa below 

 Maniel, interstratitied with hmestone, a brownish serpentinoid rock and a pinkish, 

 scoriaceous-looking shale with dark grains. He took no notes on the jjositions of the 

 strata. A similar sandstone to the first mentioned was also brought from the moun- 

 tain of Higueros, in the same vicinity. From the mountain of el Curo west of Azua, 

 the same gentleman obtained a white limestone apparently identical with that from the 

 IM^igua, indicating the cretaceous age of that range also. 



We know of the existence of a large deposit of mineral salt in the hills fifteen or 

 twenty miles northwest of Barahona, but the disturbed condition of the region has 

 never permitted us to visit it. Specimens brought in from time to time are not rare. 

 The mineral is as clear as glass and cleaves into large blocks. The mine is said to be 

 on a high hill side where it could be mined with perfect facility, while from the base of 

 the hill, a gently descending plain, a natural railroad grade extends to the coast, 

 terminating in a good port. It must be understood that I obtain my information 

 from interested parties, although it is pretty well confirmed by common report. > 



The results of Mr. Pennell's excursion along the southwestern coast are a corrected 

 map of the coast line, and the information that all of the southern peninsula is a 

 nearly level plain of coast limestone, apparently extending back to the Baburuco 

 mountains. It is densely wooded, and resembles in every respect the coast east of 

 Santo Domingo City. Beata Island off its extreme point is an outlier of the same 

 rock, nearly level, but with a trifling elevation in the interior. 



The island of Alta Vela is doubtless interesting, from the presence there of the 

 large phosphatic deposit now being mined by an English company. I am unable to 

 say anything about it, however, on account of the jealous policy exercised by the 

 parties. Their agent informed me soon after they began operations, that he would be 

 .pleased to extend to me their hospitality, an offer that has been repeatedly made since ; 

 but he then made the condition that I must pledge myself not to publish anything 

 about it. Being thus bound in honor not to avail myself of such facts as I might 

 obtain, and having my time fully occupied in obtaining data that I could use Avitli 

 propriety, I have never felt wari'anted in accepting the otherwise kind invitation. 

 Mr. Pennell touched at the island during his last trip, but the restriction applies with 

 equal force to my assistants as to myself. 



