Page 177
An. 1685
Bay of Panama.
a fort of Oyster which grows so fast to the Rock; that there is no separating it from thence, therefore we did open it where it grows, and take out the Meat, which is very large, fat, and sweet. Here are a few common Oysters, such as we have in En- gland; of which fort I have met with none in these Seas, but here, at Point Garachina, at Puna, and on the Mexican Coast, in the lat. of 23 d. North. I have a Manuscript of Mr. Teat, Captain Swan's chief Mate, which gives an account of Oysters plenti- fully found in Port St. Julian, on the East side and somewhat to the North of the Streights of Magel- lan: but there is no mention made of what Oysters they are. Here are some Guanoes, but we found no other fort of Land Animal. Here are also some Pigeons and Turtle-Doves. The rest of the Islands that incompass this Harbor had of all these forts of Creatures. Our Men therefore did every day go over in Canoas to them to fish; fowl, or hunt for Guanoes; but having one Man surprised once by some Spaniards lying there in Ambush, and carried off by them to Panama, we were after that more cautious of straggling.
The 14th day of February 1685: we made an end of cleaning our Ship, fill'd all our Water, and stock'd our selves with Fire-wood. The 15th day we went out from among the Islands, and anchored in the Channel between them and the Main, in 25 fathom Water, fast oazy ground: The Plate Fleet was not yet arrived; therefore we intended to cruise before the City of Panama, which is from this place about 25 leagues. The next day we sailed towards Pana- ma, passing in the Channel between the Kings Islands and the Main. It is very pleasant sailing here, ha- ving the Main on one side, which appears in divers forms. It is beautified with many small Hills clothed with Woods of divers sorts of Trees, which are al- ways green and flourishing. There are some few small