Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/192

138 On the day following we landed on the Northern Maria, and obtained sights; but disliking the anchorage, stood away and anchored off the centre of George Island, where we procured wood, surveyed the bay, and fixed its position. We then quitted for San Blas.

There is nothing inviting on either of the Marias. In the rainy season water may flow, but from what I witnessed of the channels through which it must pass, they should be well cleansed by floods before it would be fit for consumption. What remained in the natural tanks was sulphureous; brackish, although far above the influence of the sea; and formed a strong infusion of decayed leaves.

By the tracks observed, turtle appeared to have visited the island lately, but none were seen or taken. Wood is plentiful, particularly a species of. Cedar of the coarse species used for canoes we met with, but none of fine grain.

Firs are probably in the mountains, as I found a cone in one of the water-courses. The other trees are similar to those found at San Blas.

The soil is chiefly composed of a sandy mud, similar to that discharged from volcanoes, and which in some cases assists in forming an amygdaloidal stratum, of which the cliffs and water-courses, especially on the northern island, are chiefly composed.

On George's Island the water-courses were of this nature, with large boulders of greenstone. On the eastern point a small delta of low land occurs, which