The New York herald., 1872-08-01

essentials Of their wardrobe, and are readily OBJ
tainable: Cassava plantains bananas, oranges and
yams, with . few fish from the river and an occa-
sonai igusna. furnish their articles OF Diet requr-
ing hte or no labor for their cultivation orgather.
ing, and their habits OF life render all articles OF
mere c0mf0rtOr convenience superfuOus Under
the circumstances the half dollar day which the
men can earn on the railroad more than meets
their necessity for money, and they take every pos
sible chance for escaping from even the slightest
amount OF work required as an equivalent. we
were told by those who had lived among them for
years that, though capable OF becoming disagree
able and quarresome neghbors when they mad
real or fanc;ed cause for enmity, they woulu, on
the other hand prove themselves the most althlui
ami attached friends and servants 10 those ior
whom they conceived q liking.
After spending some days ut san Papo in TINS de-
lghtful manner we went TO Aspinwall, where we
stayed only long enough 20 gather few specimens
on the beach and stroll around the town. when. II
possible, Is more desolate In appearance than Pa
mama. We saw the ifst Protestant church Duilt In
Central America took look at the Atlantic, our
last sight of which had been Off Cape virgins, ana
then returned by rail to Panama. few days ago
we got under way and steamed down to
on the southwestern coast Of the Ist,mus, having
on board Captain Clitz, Of the United States nag
ship California, and some of her officers, who have
given valuable assistance during our stay here.
On the morning Of the following day we proceeded
In the steam launch by devious channel through
garto River which we entered. The scenery here
was extremely peculiar; the water was absolutely
smooth and unruled and the banks were lined with
green, 'spider-leggedr mangrovcs with their num-
berlcss roots striking down through the air into
the mud, curviDg, twining and intcrtanRling until
they formed an impenetrable wall Behind them
were heavy timber trees OF many varieties coming
close Ia the shores, and I'm their branches we saw
monkeys, parrots, golden breasted touc ms, peli-
cans and cormorants In great numbers. Among
the birds shot by the sportsmen OF the party was
white ibis, closely allied to the lois feltytos0,
adored and embalmed by the Egyptians. AS we
proceeded we passed several salt 1agOons running
or on either side like great avenues and bordered
by this same mperviOns wall OF green, straight
amt unbroken as Ii laid out by skilfu landscape
gardener, and presenting not single 1rregularity
which would admit Of ingress or egress. We went
until the river had narrowed to 100 feet and the
trees almost met over our heads, and then 1t was
deemed prudent 10 return, stopping now and then
on our way back for game. The whole place was
ONE VAST MANGROvE SWAMP,
beautiful with the sunlight streaming over its
placid waters or struggling family through its
tangled forests, but dangerous, perhaps fatai, TO
the stranger who should sleep within Its precincts
Several species Of fish obtained by hauling the
seine ON the beach near the vessel and we then re-
turned to our present anchorage. The natives
have brought US specimens quite frequently, hear
Ing that there was a market sor them, and one OF
the most interesting obtained In this way was lit
tie ant-eater fD,UUecoDhdg0 dtddcfvldj, an animal
of about the size Of squirrel covered with soft,
yellow-brow fur, with small head and pointed
snOut, two sharp claws on the fore feet and long
prehensie tail. Our chronological collection has
been increased by the addition OF some hundreds OF
specimens and over two hundred distinct species
| OF mollusca have been secured.
| We are now waiting until we can nave the ships
| bottom scraped and cleaned, and Will probably re-
sumo our voyage in four or five days; Acapulco be-
| ing our next port.