The state herald., 1912-10-11

visit to the gigantic work now
nearing completion between
the cities of Colon and Pana-
ma, will tell Of his occasional
bpses Of the virgin forests and of
experiences with the natives. sup.
nenting his narrative, perhaps,
pictures OF the jungle and of
kt he took for aboriginal Indians.
s writer In the Geographical
gazine.
fact, II our friend has followed
customary route. limiting his itin-
Try to train ride from Colon
|oss to Panama, with stops at Gatun
Pedro Miguel. to inspect the locks.
at Culebra to see the big cut. he
bws very little of the real coun-
and in ninety-nine cases out of
bdred his native Indians are likely
have had kinky hair and African
lures.
here is undeniably plenty Of jun
and thicket along the future canal,
It is almost wholly second growth;
in those places where the prime
vegetation has been spared, as In
swampy lowlands between Gatun
Bohio and In the sleeper declivi-
IS OF the hills, 1t Is and has always
en more or less stunted and scarce
so does not give an adequate idea
the majestic forests that still cover
put two-thirds OF the territory Of
Republic of Panama.
however. our tourist is man
leisurely habits. a stranger to the
FRIED ways of the present genera
IN. he may leave the beaten track.
k up the wanderers stock and 20
(mping over the excellent roads
ilt parallel to the railroad and the
hal by the government Of the Canal
|ne. He will then meet occasionally
Fne last vestige OF the aboriginal
getation and examples Of the won
rful rankness of tropical plant
:.
Not far from Pedro Miguel. on the
y TO Panama. stands q cluster Of
lvanillesia trees. once part OF the
rest. but today shading a pasture.
part from the striking effect OF their
lse straight trunks. which are out
proportion with their Insignificant
i crowns. these particular speci.
sns are OF especial interest on ac-
unt OF the fact that they grow
Anr1v at he kx. t.x
eal limit Of the species. East
hrd. In Colombia. II seems TO reach
o Magdalena river. and southward It
a be followed along the coastal plains
far as Peru.
In thus wandering across the coun.
instead OF keeping exclusively TO
ilroad trains. the traveller will have
casion many times to wonder Mt
e indescribable luxurlance OF vegc-
BILE life In general and to observe
o never ending struggle for su.
emacy.
Real Indians.
As TO the real Indians, he may sue
ed In getting n look ut some male
ecimens along the wharves OF .olon
around the market In Panama
ty: but tho chances are that they
ill mostly pass unnoticed In the
)oley crowd OF mixed races OF
D. larger towns. At least eight.
(nlhs OF tho native Inhabitants
the republic show TO more or
ia marked extent the stamp OF A..
can blood. and tho most estraor.
lnary cases OF inter. breeding are oh.
ryed everywhere.
East OF the canal. however. and not
king tho aboriginal trlbea into con.
dcfntlon. the negro element vastly
edomlnates tho settlements OF Por.
Bcllo. Nombre dc Dioa. Palasquo
pa Vinoto frio. on the Caribbean
a, being formed. ms II seems. by dc,
ondanth OF both Yves, Indians and
panish slaves, and the villages OF
10 Pacific eonst-Chepo. Gilman.
afaehlno-Ard those In tho Tuyra
aln BY tho latter only West OF tho
nal tho predominancc OF the A..
can clement becomes loaa mark.
nt least on the southern side OF
o country. aH one goes farther TO-
ara chlriqui. where tho whites and
civilized Indians have tho upper
and.
IN tho years 1901 TO 1903. whom Rod.
Elrt Dc naatidaa and Christopher
ollmbus visited the northern coast
mo lathmuH. they found Il dense.
populated About ton years later
lhoa mot with identical conditions
oHF the southern coast. ana an aub.
la'ni reports Of early explorers give
'lnhue of the fact that tho whole
lhliY vas IN possession of numar.
clans. tho names of many Of which
f' boon preserved
ld' two principal nations were tho
a'lmlea, extending ton tho Chlfi.