368 Geographical Collections. 
352 feet above the Atlantic at Chagres. Between the extremes of elevation and 
depression of the general tides in the Pacific at Panama, there is a difference of 
27.44 feet ; but the mean difference at the usual spring tides is 21.21. At Cha- 
gres this difference is only 1.16 feet, and is the same at all seasons of the year. 
Hence it follows, that at high water, the time of which is nearly the same on 
both sides of the isthmus, the Pacific is raised at mean tides 10.61 feet, and the 
Atlantic 0.58 feet, above their respective mean levels, giving to the former an 
elevation above the latter of 13.55 feet. At low water, both seas being below 
their respective mean levels, by the same quantities as before stated, the Pacific 
will be lower than the Atlantic by 6.51 feet ; so that thus, in the course of every 
interval from one high tide to the succeeding one, the level of the Pacific is at 
first higher, then equal, and afterwards lower than the Atlantic ; and then again 
passing back by the same steps in regaining its former elevation as the tide re- 
turns. 
The great chain of mountains which extends from the Andes, in South Ame- 
rica, to the Mexican and Rocky Mountains in North America, is not, as is 
generally supposed, absolutely continuous through the isthmus connecting these 
two continents ; for the northern cordillera, on the eastern side of the province 
of Veragua, breaks into detached mountains of considerable height, having 
steep and rugged sides. To these succeed numerous conical mountains rising 
from plains and savannahs, and seldom exceeding from 300 to 500 feet in 
height. Between Chagres on the Atlantic side, and Cherrera on the Pacific, the 
conical mountains are less numerous, and are separated by extensive plains, with 
only a few occasional insulated hills, of inferior extent and elevation. Thus it 
happens, that at the narrowest part of the isthmus a break occurs in the moun- 
tain chain, which, in almost every other part, is uninterrupted from its northern 
to its southern extremities ; a circumstance which marks the spot peculiarly 
adapted for the establishment of a cross communication. Mr. Lloyd has laid 
down on his map two Iines for a rail-road, both commencing at a point near the 
junction of the river Trinidad with the Chagres, and crossing the intervening 
plain; the one to Cherrera, the other to Panama. ‘The latter line, although the 
longer of the two, would have the advantage of terminating in a considerable city. 
The banks of the river Trinidad are represented by Mr. Lloyd as being well 
suited for wharfs, especially in the neighbourhood of the spot he recommends as 
the commencement of the rail-road. But as the mouth of the Chagres is imped- 
ed by a bar, he suggests the expediency of forming a communication with the 
adjacent bay of Limon, which in its present state affords excellent anchorage, and 
which, by making certain improvements in it, pointed out by Mr. L. might, 
at a small expense, be rendered one of the most commodious and safe harbours in 
the world. 
A Chronological Table of the principal Geographical Discoveries of Modern © 
European Nations. 
861 Feroe Islands, discovered about this time by a Scandinavian vessel. 
871 Iceland, discovered by some Norwegian chiefs, who were compelled to leave 
their native country. According to some accounts it had been visited be- 
fore this, by a Scandinavian pirate, Naddodd. 
950 Greenland, discovered by the Icelanders about this period. The first 
colony established there was destroyed by a pestilence in the 14th centu- 
ry, and by the accumulation of ice which prevented all communication 
between Iceland and Greenland. 
1601 Winenland, a part of the continent of America, is supposed to have been 
discovered by the Icelanders. It was called Winenland, or Vinland, 
from the abundance of a species of vine found there. The Icelandic chro- 
nicles are full and minute respecting this discovery. 
