New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-03
THE DARIEN SURVEY.

ARRIVAL OF THE CANANDAIGUA IN TIE GULF OF
DARIEN-PAssAGE Up TIE ArRATo TO THR
MOUTH OF THE NAPiPI-PRoGREss OF THE SUR
vEY.
lFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
CAMP 2, NAPTPI RIVER, Feb. 23.-The Cam
andaigua, having board the Darien Exploring Expe-
diton OF 1875. arrived Colombia Bay Calf OF Darien.
the 3oth OF January. and preparations were made
for starting the exploring party the following day Az
2 p. M, the Slst. the steam cutter with two
boats loaded with stores, left the ship, aud
at noon the ensuing day the boats crossed the bar
OF the CATO COauito and began the ascent OF the river
Six officers and equal number Of men comprised the
whole expedition the natives TO be hired were TO DO
obtained In the interior. The swift current OF tho
Atrato and the small size Of the steam cutter rendered
the progress extremely slow. In days Of is hours,
scarcely 40 miles would be made up stream.
Although an immense amount OF drift passes down
the river the rainy season, the rapdy OF the cur
rent and the width between banks would keep 1t clear
for at all IL is proposed TO use all
this portion OF the river for ship navigation and indeed
there is obstacle to so using It now, other than the
bar at its mouth. Late the afternoon OF the oth OF
February sight Of our destination, the mouth
OF the Nappi and shout Of delight went up from our
otilla touched the bank and more stretched
our limbs on terra frma The 9th OF February found
every one busy. Lieut. Collins on his way 10 Vsia
Ia small village Is miles above for macheta men,
and cut wood for their return. At p. m.
the connecting link with civilization was broken To
those who had tried the wds and woods Of tho stbmus
before. this not great matter but 10 the Others
1t seemed little short Of deserton to have the boats re-
turn without them aud they keenly felt the crcum-
stance that they completely shut of from aid as
though on a desert island.
On Tuesday the 9th OF February. work was begun on
the main line, Camp1 The surveying parties con-
ad of two 1i. instrument,
two rodmeD salors and four natives with machetes to
cut the line The party left camp az $50 a. H., having
breakfasted at and tax their lunch, dt not return
till D. NJ. when the cook had dinner ready, and every
one had appetite sharDened by hard work, ready for
the dinner. The woods mass OF luxurIaut vcge
tation 1t impossiols TO walk through them without
cutting as through wall. Vines OF all
dimensions estooncd FRI m tree TO tree. and broad
eaved parasites shut OF any glimpse OF snu or sky 10
already killed several GO.ne over eight feet long and
over fifteen inches IN crcumerence) whose fangs ana
0oIsonsscks fairly caused US 10 shndder Ants
numerable. One species, called by the natives man.
eaters, an inch long, and more 10 DC DREADED
than scorpion fortunately from tse jggers
and fesh-worms. which we're perpetual torment on
two previous expeditions 10 the lsthinus Where We
now are stationed wild hogs are very numerous. and
scarcely day passes without one being brou9h, TO
camp. When wounded they are very feroc,ous aud
sometimes dangerous An unpleasant hablt tncy nave
OF grinding their tusks adds some excitement 10 tue
sport OF capturing them aud as they weigh moro than
100 pounds their esa which does not resemble that OF
pig forms agreeable addition 10 our taoe are'
We have two tigers, aDd Klleu seNeta ISer CATS
bur have had 10 hunting adventures worth recording
The lower part OF the WORK near the Atrao has been
the present owing 70 the weness OF tho
low lands March il dryest month In this latitude,
60 uorth and that portion o. the work WILL Do done then
SO far this seasons work has developed little but that
ntte - this route. From Reconnaissance
we are assured that low level PLAIN extends ten miles
westward OF the Atrato, aId what hills nave
been encountered westward OF this plain nave not
been so numerous VI such character az 10 prevent
yood sIte canal At present there are two partes
M vorl-one under Lieut. Collins at tie uOnth OF tho
Merudo another under Lieut.. Exon ID miles lower
Gown From pre- Indications the wOrk can scarcely
he before lt OF May. We are favored by
dry weather; ant occasional shower at bight Is Al
mat suggest the ueugcs which come later. Boa oi-
Gers md men well and In good sprlls and although
SUBJECT many pr.yatIons they take h"ii WIN aOoa
vii