33 
CHAPTER III. 
DEPARTURE PROM PANAMA.-THE RAILROAD STEAMERS.-PUNTA 
ARENAS.—EXPEDITION UP THE EIO PEIO.-MODERN SIRENS.- 
COEINTO.-CAPTAIN CAUTY.-LEON.-A DISAGREEABLE-SMEL¬ 
LING PLANT.—MIMICRY IN NATURE.-WE START EOE NEW SE¬ 
GOVIA. 
On the 28th of March, 1866, I embarked on board 
the ‘ Guatemala,’ a fine steamer belonging to the Pa¬ 
nama Railroad Company, and one of those employed 
in keeping up a bi-monthly communication between 
the Isthmus and the Pacific ports of the Central 
American Republics. It is impossible not to be struck 
with the comfort, cleanliness, neatness, and even 
elegance, of these steamers; and I could not but 
congratulate Captain Dow on the admirable state in 
which everything on board was kept. It was evident 
that Captain Dow’s scientific leaning did not interfere 
prejudicially with his professional duties; on the con¬ 
trary, he seemed to have so far taken a leaf out of 
nature’s book as to do everything well and at the proper 
time and season. How I did enjoy myself the few days 
D 
