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44 search of the wandering youth. Just as we were issuing from the gate - we met some of our companions returning with the cause of our disquiet. They had found him trudging homewards sick and weak as he was - under a log - which afterwards formed a respectable load for two of us. Poor distressed soul - one stick more had laid heavy on his disposition for saving. Quite absorbed in his prudent calculations - he was quite surprised at our disturbance on his account. I could not help laughing at the retort made by quite a pretty female - upon L W Haskins - not a youth of very talking exterior. Passing he cried out in a very amatory tone - "bonita Senorita". (beautiful Senorita) - Bonita Senorita she repeated in supercillious mockery - bonita Senorita - viejo Americano (ugly American). The Native girls I have no doubt were very much bored - by the Americans - and their smattering Spanish. Certainly their lavish gallantries - were enough to disgust any well disposed Panamanian maiden. The reefs and beached afford great scope to the Cinchologist - abounding as they do with a great variety of marine shells. Dr Newcomb and myself were not long in determining upon bringing away the spoils which were so temptingly offered. Armed therefore for such predatory movements - we made frequent excursions - upon the reefs. With hammer and haversack and umbrellas - day after day we wandered over them - turning over the stones picking in the crevices - and wading on the flats. Each excursion bringing some new shell to light - kept my ardor bright - and urged me to still greater industry. One day I struggled through the mud seeking . Another waded in the pools and gushered with exultation numerous varieties of beautiful Coral. The Cypria were abundant - and shone with their smooth enamel - lightly airing less favored companions. The deep colored mouths of the Penpinia - the bright yellow of the Buccinum - pleased me. One day I stumbled on some gigantic conches - which I bore to the house in triumph. We found many among the rocks bearing as company in our employment. The fiding of the shells pleased me well - but ah! the boiling - the cleaning and preparing - it were enough to dissuade a very enthusiast. Many of the company - were seized with the shell mania - and it was not long until our rooms were littered completely with them. They were the innocent cause one night of quite a