26 
TRINIDAD. 
what bluff, and the channel between this line of coast 
and the shore of the mainland is shallow, varying from 
three to thirty-seven fathoms. 
The Gulf of Paria is a beautiful salt-water lake, and 
so secure and extensive a harbour that the navies of 
Europe and America might ride in safety upon its bosom. 
Anchorage may be obtained almost anywhere within the 
gidf, the deepest soundings being in the Grand Bqcas, 
and near the Main. 
There are several small islands in the gulf besides 
those which form the Bocas. Gaspar Grande is an islet 
fully three miles long, and about one and a-half wide in 
the centre. It runs east and west, and lies just within 
the first Bocas or Monos. At one time this islet and 
those which form the Bocas were cultivated, yielding 
many bales of good cotton, but now nothing but a few 
ground provisions are grown on them. 
Hearer to Port of Spain there are seven others-— five 
in one group nearest to town, off Le Carenage, and a 
group of two larger ones off Point Gourde. 
These islets are very pretty in themselves, and stud 
the gulf very picturesquely. They are also very service- 
able, being used as watering places. Each islet has a 
house and all conveniences for residence, even though 
the islet be no larger than the house ; a bathing-place is 
constructed, and there we have the means of improving 
health and obtaining recreation. 
In the Grand Bocas there is a large island — that is, 
large when compared with those just spoken of It is 
called Pata, or Goose Island. At one time it Avas 
inhabited, but now it is the home of the pelican. 
Having no water, it is not eligible for permanent 
habitation ; and by reason of distance it is not convenient 
for a watering place. Besides this, it is declared to be 
“ no-man’s-land.” The Spaniards claim it as a part of 
the province of Cumana ; and the English, who say it 
belongs to them, do not seem to think it worth troubling 
about, Thus it is left to the solitude of its own echoes. 
