A T31IJ’ TO THE MAIiqT-ANl). 
7 
is probably a species of Capnodium, and in some places whatjis 
called blight/’ caused by the attacks of minute scale insects, 
did some damage to the trees. In discussing the ravages of the 
beetle” with a fellow-passenger hailing from the Mosquito 
Coast, he mentioned that the insect was highly prejudicial in his 
district, so much so that the cultivation was much restricted in 
consequence. From his description and sketch the particular in- 
sect which is so destructive, would appear to belong to the Cur- 
cidionidce or snouted beetles, the whole family of which are des- 
tructive to grain, fruit, and vegetable products in general. 
Animal life was not abundant, except those belonging to the 
genus Sus. These porcine quadrupeds were everywhere, and ap- 
peared to thrive remarkably well. Not a single specimen of the 
‘^Railsplitter” type, as they are called in America was visible, a 
circumstance which is possibly accounted for by the abundance 
of food afforded by the cocoanut. Charming little ponies, in 
splendid condition were fairly numerous and appear to be very 
useful in the transit of the staple product. Each rider when 
coming into the settlement uses two coarse nets, slung in pack 
saddle fashion behind him, for the purpose of carrying cocoanuts 
to be used in payment for goods purchased. 
Many of the reefs, otherwise barren, are planted up with co- 
coanut trees, and yield their owners good crops, which are har- 
vested at convenient times in fair weather, for in stormy weather 
they are unapproachable on account of the heavy seas. Some 
reefs lying far from land are also planted, which besides yield- 
ing a profitable crop, are of great service to navigators, as when 
so planted they can be seen at greater distances. 
We left Saint Andrews shortly after 10 a. m. and then made 
for Bocas-del-Tora, which hove in sight early next morning. 
Chapter II. 
M?^st View of Mountains on Mainland— Booas-del-Brago— Old Bank — Provi- 
dence Island— Character of Habitations— Weather — leinperature — Marine 
Organisms Abundant — Marianna Creek — Alligator— Cattle — Provision 
Grounds — “ We Wd' ' Ant— Plantains'— Bananas — Sarsajmrilla — Varieties of 
Cacao— Process of Preparation— Quality of Prepared Chocolate—'' Wariba'" 
Wild Cacao. 
In my last I should have said, sighted the land, for J3ocas-del- 
Tora was yet some miles to the southward. We neared the 
coast rapidly, and the long ranges of majestic mountains on the 
mainland became clearly visible, one or tw^o of the peaks being 
pointed out to us as being active Yolcanos. From the chart we 
ascertained that one of these was 11,000 feet above sea level, and 
that several reached a height of 7,000 feet and over. 
We entered the Lagoon of Ghiriqui by a zig-zag course be- 
tween an Island and a point of the Mainland through a passage 
