Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-20
COSTA RIGA AND PANAMA
Mr.. Hills Address on the Geography and
Geology of These Regions
The Widely Contrasting Topography,
Vegetation, Products and Customs
Interestingly Described.

Geographic Society in the large hall Of
Cosmos Club last night Mr.. Robert T. Hill
of the United States geological survey de-
liyered an address upon the Geography
and Geology of Costa Rica and Panama.
The fact that he has only recently return
ed from a tour of scientific investigation
of the region. during which he saw
good deal of the prevailing revolutionary
spirit, gave special interest to his remarks.
Mr. Hills lecture, illustrated by large
number of very interesting lantern slides,
mostly from photographs taken by him
during mis- recent trip, was partly popular
and partly technical in character, descrip-
tive Of the topography, vegetation. pro-
ducts, architecture and customs Of the
widely contrasting regions of the 1sthmus
of Panama and the modern Spanish-Amert-
can republic of Costa Rico to the northward.
The isthmus was discussed as type of
the low-lying coastal lands of the tropical
region where Caucasian population
could only be maintained by constant i'm
migration, and which would be uninhabit-
ed did it not lie in the track Of commerce
between the two oceans. All of its popu-
lation, except a few unconquered Indian
tribes Is concentrated in the two seaports
Of Colon and Panama or along the right
of way of the railway and canal On
either side 1t Is still an unconQuered jun
gle. The important commercial and politi-
cal American interests in this region were
discussed, showing that its traffic is en-
tirely in the control of Americans, and that
1t is an important point between our At
lantic and Pacific seaports.
Contrast Mt Costa Rica.
Costa Rica, on the other hand. is an ex-
ample of the higher and better climatic
col ditions existing in the tropical Amerl-
can region. where indigenous civilization
f1ourishes under healthy climatic condI-
lions. Mr.. Hill spoke of this as an ideal
country, and praised the hospitality and
progressive spirit of the people. Illustra-
tons were given of the entire course Of the
Panama canal, showing the topography.
cuttings, machinery and laborers at pres
ent working upon the construction. While
not committing himself to any preference
of canal routes, he said that the affairs of
the Panama Canal Company had been
painted in this country much darker than
they deserved. The terminal port facilities
have been completed. Nearly twenty-five
miles Of the canal are finished, reducing the
distance between the oceans from forty
seven to twenty-five miles. About two
fifths of the necessary grading has been
accomplished, and every possible machine
and tool for its completion is upon the
ground. The great problem of controlling
and diverting the waters of the Chagres
has also been accomplished.
The lecturer gave interesting accounts of
the various zones of vegetation seen in
ascending the great volcanoes of Costa
Rica, and, incidentally, a general descrip-
tion and classification of the region Dor
dering the gulf and Caribbean sea. Es-
pecial attention was called to the import
ant bearing of this Spanish-American re-
gion, between the latitude of the Orinoco
and the southern boundary of the United
States. upon the great problems of CONT
mental development, and its correlated bio
logic and !neteorologic problems; and to
the great work Prof. Alexander Agassiz
has undertaken at his own expense in
region, especially as regards the origin Of
its vast areas of coral reefs.
ClassiHcntion of Mountain Systems.
In speaking Of the mountains, he CLASH
fed the systems as follows:
/. The southern extension of the Coral
leron region Of the United States which
terminates with the great scarp Of the
Mexican plateau in the latitude of Vera
Cruz.
2. The Andes proper the north and south
ridges Of which end abruptly in northern
Colombia.
g. A system of more ancient mountains
having an east and west trend, and COM
posed of mesozoic rocks. with poleozoic
axes, extending along the north coast Of
South America Cbetween the Caribbean and
Orinoco), throughout the Greater Antilles,
British Honduras. For this Mr.. Hill pro-
posed the name of the "Antillean system"
It was shown that there were submarine to-
geographic ridges connecting the Honduras
peninsula with the Islands of Jamaica,
Hayti and Puerto Rico, probably also part
of this ancient corrugation.
4. Protuberances Of older volcanic accu-
mutation, such as the Windward Islands
and Isthmian region.
8. Mountains Of recent volcanic accumu-
lation, including the three widely separated
groups, with different trends, Of southern
Mexico, Central America and the northern
Andes, all more or less parasitic upon the
termini of the antecedent and fundamental
mountain systems of corrugation, and to a
certain extent lowing to their newness and
greater mass) concealing them.
At the close Of the meeting, which was
thoroughly enjoyed by large audience,
Mr.. MCGEE, who presided, announced that
the lecture next Friday evening, in Ma
tional Rifles Hall, will be an illustrated one
by Mr.. Frank Hamilton Cushing; also, that
details regarding the field day at F'reder-
icksburg will be forwarded very soon to all
members, and that a fine map Of the region
would be given to each Of the party.
At Palacha City, Wash, Wednesday even
ing, David Crumpacker, a butcher, shot his
wife and a man named Eben Johnson Mrs.