The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-06

said that the region is salubrious, and 1t will never be until the great woods and groves shall have disappeared.
 In Puerto Bello the climate is unhealthy and the heat excessive by reason of the stagnation of the air and because the port is surrounded by high mountains and noxious exhalations emanate from vege- table matters. both terrestrial and aqua tic. The nights there are often stifiing | and the days marked by rains, with thun- der and lightning, such as cannot but ter rify the unaccustomed visitor.
 It may be said that it rains in the de- partment of Panama at least nine months fin the year and that, toos in extraordlnary quantities. There occur, too, brief but very hard "scuds'' or showers and much thunder and lightning-a sure proof oi the abundance of electricity in these re- gions. G i. The dry months are February, March | and A part of April and the hottest months are August, September and Oc' tober in which the heat becomes almoss unbearable. In the other months the breezes and the continual rain render the heat less intense, though, on the other hand, they make the climate disagree able.
 In the territory which formerly consti- tuted the provinces of Chirqui and Vera Ruas the heat is intense, though tempered by the rains from April to December. In the part of the isthmus bordering upon the Cauca 1t rains all the year round, at such a rate as to make the rainfall Ss cubic inches, while in Europe 1t is only B or 20.
 Rich in Minerals.
 Gold Is obtained from the rivers Marca and Balsas in South Darien. There stsll lives the tradition of the famous mines oS Cana or Espiritu Santo, in tine neighbor- hood of the Tuira. At one time they were called "Potosi,' on account of the abund- ance and fpeness of the ore produced. There are likewise gold mines fin the neighborhood OF the Rivers Cocle, Beien and Indlas and their tributaries: or these, the most noteworthy is that of San Am tonio. on the Cocle, which Is eported as welding S40.OO0 a. year. Other mines are found at Las Tablas, Las Minas, El Min eral dc Veraguas, Soma, Lovalna, Gualaea and San Lorenzo.
 Salt is found in abundance throughout the department and at many points its production is more profitable than that Of gold.
 Copper Is found near San Felix and near the road from David to- Bocas dei 'roro It exists also, there is reason for thinking. in the old province of Azuero.
 Iron Is to be found in and about the Cerro de San Cristobal and in the ancient province of Azuero, according to indica- tions.
 Mineral coal is found near Las Bocas del Toro and in Golfo Dulce.
 Mineral waters are found in the districts of Santiago and Calobre, near the head" waters of the Chonguinola, near the vol- cano at the foot of the Castillo mount, near the Chlriqui river. in the Mendez ranch, near the Yeguas pass, in Pan de Azucar and on the banks of the Gallequi river, near San Felix.
 Pearls are found not only. in. the archi- pelago De las Perlas. but fin many other spots on the sea bottom, which would seem to be almost covered with these precious stones. As many as H. 900 shells year are said to be secured by divers and though all do not contain pearls they are available as mother of pearl.
 Chalk and lime also abound fin various parts of the department.
 Forests Are Valuable.
 The following woods, used for making dye-stuff, are found in the department: TJvilla. curtidora divld-divi, dragons blood tuno, mulberry. Brazilian wood lbrasilete) igua, aguacate colorado. gua- yacan, anil amarillo de yuca, carocolito (purple shelD. muqueva. ojo de vernado (black) tague de montana (indelible car mine) and nazareno (purple).
 The department yields woods of excel- lent quality and colossal growth. prlnci- pally in South Darien. though they abound also in the mountains along the coasts and in the islands of both seas, The followingk may be named; Caclque, corotu and espave. fit for shlp-building and not infected by any sort of insect whatever; caimito, hueso, cerezo. maca- no, madrono, maranjlllO. bola and laurel excellent for polished work and building as are also the mora and guayacan which are, Furthermore. incorruptible nispero and lespinoso. which make the best boarding known; mahogany (black. red or veined), rosewood rosilla, quira, cocobobo and roble amarillo (yellow Oak). which do not rot; roble comun Common oak). adapted for ship tlmbers; el man zanillo (manchineeD, building and cab met wood; jcarrIIlo and espinO amarillo.
 Among furniture woods may be named the cedars. known as cebolla, espina, real and papaya. all of excellent quality and exempt from the attacks of the come jen'' Climber worm); amarillo de Guaya- quill. which is incorruptible; algarrobo del Peru, ijaga de montana. alcornoque. churchipato and chacojo, all very useful for buildings maderon, very durable and available for inlald work; alfahillo, the