distant view of the sea to the N.W., with hills on his right, and the river we had left in the morning winding its course from the westward, as far as he could see. In consequence of this report we altered our course to N.W.; descending steeply the other side of the hill we had just mounted; crossed several mountain-streams in the same direction, and reached a high point whence, from the highest tree, we discovered a river at its foot, with a rapid descent leading to it, and found it about 90 feet broad, flowing from N.N.E. to S.S.W., along a valley 105 chains distant from No. 10 Rancho.

The day being far advanced, we thought it prudent to retrace our steps, and reached No. 10 a little before sunset. Messrs. Inskip and Gordon had returned without having fallen in with Indians, having followed the course of the river 33 miles, which they found to continue its north-westerly direction, varying but little in size, depth, and strength of current. Its banks were steep and precipitous, and at least 300 feet high.

From the nature of the country we had passed over this day it was agreed that each officer and man should carry his own four days' provisions, and that the remaining provisions, with all unnecessary clothing, stores, &c., should be left at No. 10 Rancho, as a depôt for the advancing party to fall back upon, in charge of an armed party.

Having made all necessary arrangements, and given my final instructions to the party to be left in charge of No. 10, we only waited for daylight to cross the river, hoping to see the Atlantic, and return in safety.

Monday, 2nd. We left early, fifteen in number, including four native guides. We soon reached the beautiful river of yesterday, and followed its course for 80 chains, sometimes in its bed, about knee-deep in water, at others cutting our road along its banks, clothed with fine overhanging trees, until it became tortuous, winding away in a more westerly direction, when we ascended its eastern bank, and cut our road over several small hills with quebradas between them, through which ran a stream towards the main river. Striking this river again, we crossed it, flowing then more easterly. Here we came upon a rancho, being built on the W. bank. Some of the party declared they heard the axe at work, which ceased immediately we approached: 100 yards farther along, on the opposite bank, was another Indian hut, but apparently deserted; near it a tree almost chopped through, the marks very fresh. We observed also a curious hole, which appeared to us like a grave; but our native guides said it was made by the conejo or wild rabbit.

Continuing our N.N.E. course, we crossed over a high hill, and on our descent struck another river flowing to the N.W. Ascending then along a ridge for 25 chains, we encamped for the night at No. 11 Rancho.

Tuesday, 3rd.-The early part of this day we had climbing enough, crossing several deep ravines, whose steep and slippery sides caused many a tumble. We, however, cut our way through in a N.N.E. direction, and about noon reached the summit of a hill, estimated by us at 800 feet high. Even from here we could see nothing of the surrounding country, so dense was the forest, until George Julier mounted a high tree, when, on his right, or to the eastward, he saw a three-peaked mountain, very distant, and hills in our course not so distant. Not long after this, having descended considerably, we came to a river, flowing N. by W., which cheered us on, concluding it must eventually fall into the Atlantic. We crossed this, having travelled 144 chains from No. 11, and ascending gradually over high undulating ground, we came at last to a spot, whence there was so abrupt a descent, 45 chains from the last river, that we could almost see the surrounding country.

As sunset was fast approaching, and we were still some distance from water, we had to turn our attention to the selection of a spot for encamping. The descent into the valley beneath was too perpendicular to attempt, so we followed the ridge downwards 25 chains, which brought us to another river in

a most picturesque situation, flowing S. W. Here we built our 12th and last rancho. Total distance measured 26 miles and 14 chains from Rancho No. 1.

Wednesday, 4th.-Although finding ourselves in the centre of the Cordilleras, and, I believe, within a very few miles of the object of our search, yet having already exceeded the limit of my stay, it became my duty to rejoin the ship without delay - still feeling confident that, had time and our provisions allowed us, we should have eventually reached the Atlantic shores, and that easily, by following one of the several rivers or streams which appear to exist in this range of hills, forming certain passages to the sea.

Pre

We now retraced our steps to the river we had crossed yesterday flowing N. W., and leaving one half of the party there with directions to build a rancho for the night, if we did not return before 2 P.M., we pushed on, following its course to ascertain, as best we could, in what direction it ran; and when we came upon it again, a magnificent sight was before us. cipitous rocks, causing a fall of at least 150 feet, in something less than of a mile, in which even at this season was a beautiful waterfall and several deep pools, finding their way through, not over, the masses of rock around them; the richly clothed hills, verdant with the finest forest trees; and, above all, the perfect solitude, perhaps never before broken by civilized man, made us feel ourselves already repaid for our labours. Our guide thought it too precipitous to follow; so we ascended one of its overhanging hills, and from its summit commanded a view tolerably clear towards the S. W., over an apparently level country, but too distant to distinguish its true nature.

The passage which the river might take towards the N.E. was very indistinct. Descending from this point at a very sharp angle, we came again upon the river, flowing south-westerly, which we followed until it took a turn W.S.W., between hills rising very high on both its banks, when, finding it very difficult to proceed, we returned to the remainder of the party, feeling sure it did not run through the passage we had supposed it did the previous night. Many fine fish were seen in it, which Macao told us were only found near the sea-coast. Having plenty of daylight, we passed on to No. 11, which we found undisturbed, and the fire still burning.

Thursday, 5th.-Started off at early dawn, hoping to reach our depôt, No. 10 Rancho, in good time, to rest and enjoy a fresh and cooked meal, half allowance of pork with biscuit having been our mountain fare. Returned to Rancho No. 10 by our old road without meeting anything worthy of notice, except that in wading through the river as before, we missed our mark for crossing over the hills; and following the stream lower down, it gave evident signs of soon emptying itself into the main river.

We reached the river Chuqunaque, and crossed it by the same ford, when, arriving at the rancho, to my utter astonishment and dismay I found all the party gone, as well as all our provisions and stores; and there was every appearance of the hut having been ransacked. Our native guides searched in vain for traces of an Indian attack, or even of their footsteps. Rancho No. 9 was soon passed; and in Indian file we came to the swamp, and there plainly distinguished the marks of Indian feet. Still we were undisturbed, and had reached within of a mile of No. 8 Rancho, when, in taking a short turn in the road, to my horror I came suddenly upon the bodies of three of our shipmates, Thos. Hyde and James Perkins, R.M.A., and Henry Windsor, A.B., lying dead in the pathway.

At No. 8 Rancho we found the few stores and provisions left there untouched; the Indians had not advanced so far; still we were liable every moment to the same unseen attack, had such been their object. Our only resource appeared to me to push on to the boats by forced marches, taking every precaution as we went along to prevent a surprise. My fears for the

there existed gold mines in the vicinity of the Mosquito coast, which in former times extended as far as the Bay of Almirante and Lagoon of Chiriqui on the Atlantic. The Mosquito Indians, who were in continual warfare with those of the mountains and plains on the Pacific side, finally overthrew the latter, destroying their mines, the precise localities of which have been lost since then.

From these accounts it may be inferred that the gold found in the ancient graves must have been procured in the territory where those Indians dwelt. Gold has been found in the mountains, ravines, plains, and streams which run into the Pacific, particularly at Guanavano and Charco Azul. On the road from Costa Rica to this province an extensive quartz formation has been discovered at Las Breñas. It is a common occurrence for the Indians of Terrora to visit this spot to grind the rock and extract gold. Copper and zinc have been found, as well as coal (a superior lignite).

Climate.-Dr. M'Dowall, an old resident in this district, says, "The proximity of the Cordillera to the coast of the Atlantic, giving rise to continued rains and malaria, colonies could only be founded by great sacrifice of life; but when we cross the Cordillera, and reach the country sloping towards the Pacific, the scene is at once changed. The better air we breathe and the different scenery infuse a more healthy character than on the Atlantic side."

The dry season extends from December to May inclusive, when the wind blows steadily from the North; during this period no dews are formed, and one can sleep in the open air at night with impunity. The soil is so productive that six hours' labour will remunerate the wishes of the most sanguine.

The average temperature on the coast is 80° Fahr. ; that of the highlands at the foot of the mountains 65°. A valuable trade might be opened in the item of "tasajo," jerked beef, at the foot of the Cordillera; the atmosphere being so pure and rarefied that cattle could be slaughtered and the meat kept sweet six to eight days without salting. The Panama railway and steam facilities on the coast will lead to markets far beyond the Isthmus.