^ A liOTANT^T^'^ llAMMLB IN CENTltAT. AMEHIOA j 
known to navigators as Bocas-del-Drago, or Mouth of the Dra- 
gon, but locally known as Boque’s Mouth.” Once inside, a 
broad expanse of water was before us, almost deserving the term 
of inland sea ; for certainly the term Lagoon, as it is generally 
understood is not an appropriate name for these waters. To our 
left was Columbus Island, and on the right at some distance was 
the large Island called ^^Goco Cay.” For some ten miles a 
straight course was followed, when rounding a point of land with 
the helm hard a starboard,” we reached the anchorage opposite 
the settlement or town of Bocas-del-Tora. The town is situated 
as its name denotes, near the passage of the BulTs Mouth.” 
This consists of two entrances divided in the centre by Careen- 
ing Cay,” which is a narrow slip of land supposed to represent 
the tongue of the bull. The left passage is impassable for all but 
small boats, while in the right there is sufficient water for the 
entrance of the largest ships. We were met here by members of 
Mr. Griffith’s Church, and as there was no Customs’ official to. 
delay us, we had our traps transferred to a fine sailing boat and 
were soon speeding across the Bull’s Mouth” to the settlement 
of ^^Old Bank,” situated at the north-end of Providence Island, 
which was to be our head- quarters for the time being. 
On arrival we found that a house was set apart for the 
use of the Minister and his friend during their stay. This was a 
well erected w^ooden building, clean, well furnished, with polish- 
ed floors, stained ceilings and papered walls, and was provided 
with many conveniences not to be looked for in houses belonging 
to the same class of people in Jamaica. It was to my mind dis- 
tinct evidence in favour of the possibility of elevating in the 
social scale the classto which its owner belonged. Kor was it a 
solitary instance simply, for a large proportion of the houses in 
the settlement were of the same character. 
The weather was fine, and the heat was not at all oppressive ; 
in fact, it appeared to me that it was much cooler than in Kingston, 
which was probably owing to the sea breeze, for on consulting 
the thermometer we found that the night temperature ranged 
from 80 to 85 deg. Fahr. 
It was arranged that we should pay a visit to the provision 
grounds of some members of the settlement early the next morn- 
ing, and for that purpose a boat or ''dug-out” capable of carry- 
ing eight persons was to hand soon after daylight. Spme half- 
hour afterwards we were afloat, and, propelled by two paddles 
only, were soon gliding at a rapid rate dowm the Lagoon. There 
being no Avind, the water was as clear as crystafl and at depths 
of 10 to 15 feet we could see the bottom which was covered with 
innumerable forms of marine organisms, to observe Ayhich af- 
