SITUATION OF THE MOUNTAINS AND RIVERS. they have eroded. Most of the harbors are situated at the mouths of these rivers, and, except in two or three instances, are complicated by harbor bars, which make entrance and navigation somewhat difficult. In an island of this size it is hardly to be expected that many lakes of consequence would be found, although there are several small ones along the north coast. Nature has been generous, however, with rivers and the island is marvelously well watered. In the small area of less than 4,000 square miles there are nearly fifty rivers flowing into the sea, besides countless rivulets and streams. Seventeen of these, taking their rise in the mountains, cross the valleys of the north coast. Some of these are navigable for six or eight miles from their mouths, for schooners and small coasting vessels. It is difficult to understand how such large bodies of water can be collected in so short a course. The Loisa river, the Manati river, the Trabajo river and the Arecibo river are very deep and broad. The rivers of Bayamon and Piedras flow into the harbor of San Juan and are also navigable. From Arecibo river to Manati, a distance of twentyfive miles, a fresh-water lagoon, navigable for small vessels through the whole of its extent, runs parallel with the sea at a distance of about a mile from the shore. The rivers of the north coast have a decided advantage over those of the south coast, where the climate is dryer and the rains less frequent. Nevertheless the south, west and east coasts are well supplied with water, and, although in some seasons it does not rain for several months on the south coast, the rivers are never dry. Probably there is no land of corresponding size anywhere in the world that is better watered than the island of Puerto Rico. NUMBER AND VALUE OF THE HARBORS. The harbors of Puerto Rico have not been developed and improved as they will be under an American regime, there being but few of special merit at present. San Juan, the capital, has the best harbor of the island and one of the best in the West Indies. Of late years some improvements have been made by dredging, so that there is now excellent deep-water anchorage for vessels of any size. The port is perfectly sheltered from the effects of the north winds by the hill upon which the city stands and vessels are perfectly secure even during the hurri cane months. The entrance to the port is narrow, however, and requires a pilot. The city of Aguadilla has a small cove and Mayaguez has also an open roadstead, which is somewhat better protected. The bays and harbors which abound on the south coast are surrounded by mangroves and complicated by reefs, so that the only ones where vessels of considerable draft can enter are Guanica and Ponce. The first of these, which is the westernmost harbor of the south coast, is easy of access and completely land-locked, affording perfect shelter for vessels drawing twenty-one feet of water and upwards. There are no wharves, however, for the village of Guanica has no outward trade and Yauco does not carry on sufficient trade to be of much consequence. The port of Ponce is but little protected from southerly winds and is by no means the best of harbors. Nevertheless the volume of traffic of this city has been great enough to draw considerable shipping into this port. The port of Jobos, southwest of Guayama, is a large and well-inclosed bay, but there has been no business and no town developed on its shores. Its convenience and depth would suggest that some day an important business center would be established there. The port of Guayama at present is Arroyo, which is little more than an open roadstead where the surf always washes. The only ports of any consequence on the east coast are Fajardo, where two little islands close the mouth of the bay and offer complete shelter to vessels, and Humacao. IDEAL CLIMATE OF PUERTO RICO. The climate of Puerto Rico is, perhaps, the finest of all the islands of the West Indies. The temperature, as would be expected in the tropics, is high both summer and winter, in comparison with that of more northern lands. Nevertheless, it is not so severe as to be trying upon any except those who suffer especially from hot weather. The north coast has an advantage over the south coast in this, as in the matter of rains and rivers. All summer it is swept by the northeast breezes from the north Atlantic ocean, thus moderating its heat materially. The south coast, on the other hand, gets its breezes from the Caribbean sea and farther into the tropics. For myself I can affirm that the sum mer season in Puerto Rico afforded me more comfort than the corresponding season in Chicago has done many, many times. In San Juan the temperature rarely rises above eighty-six degrees in the shade, nor does it sink below fifty-nine degrees. The highest point ever reached in the last five years is ninety-two degrees. The hot season sets in about July 1 and lasts till the latter part of September. The rainy season commences one month later and lasts two months longer. Even earlier than that, however, rains begin sufficiently to water the crops and stimulate nature to remarkable productiveness. During the hot season the morning hours are the most trying part of the day. By ten o'clock, however, the sea breeze brings relief and life becomes thoroughly comfortable again. Even in the rainy season the showers are not as constant as many people imagine. There are frequent brief rain storms of considerable violence and then the sky clears again with surprising rapidity. As the island is one mass of hills and the natural drainage is perfect, the torrents of rain disappear into CHARACTERISTICS the water courses as suddenly as they came and everything is dry again, as well as greener and fresher for the shower bath. A wetting from such a shower in such a climate brings no chill and if a change of clothing be impossible the light garments dry quickly on the body, and there is no harm done. People pay very little attention altogether to the rains in Puerto Rico. I have been speaking of the climate in the cities and along the coast, where Americans are most likely to be. It is impossible, however, to generalize on the subject of climate, even in an island no larger than Puerto Rico. In the mountains the inhabitants enjoy the coolness of spring the year around, thanks to their altitude, even when the valleys are the hottest. This difference of elevation makes it possible to select a residence in almost any temperature desired and the agricul tural industries of the island are so varied that there is something suitable for every neighborhood. Puerto Rico is one of the most healthful islands in the world. With ordinary caution and diet, particularly as to the eating of tropical fruits, and if care is taken not to sleep in a draught, no fears need be entertained of fevers and other diseases peculiar to the tropics, Al BLESSINGS OF THE though one would suppose that all the large islands in the tropics enjoy the same climate, yet Jamaica, Santo Domingo and Cuba experience a much higher mortality than that of Puerto Rico, and that is the best test. The small islands of the West Indies, some of thein destitute of wood and high mountains, which have a powerful effect in attracting clouds, suffer much from drought. The land-breeze is an advantage which the large islands derive from the inequality of their surface, for as soon as the sea-breeze dies away, the hot air of the valleys, being rarified, ascends toward the top of the mountains and is there condensed by the cold, making it heavy again. It then descends back to the valleys on both sides of the ridge. Hence a night wind, blowing on all sides, from the land toward the shore, is felt in all the mountainous countries within the torrid zone. LAND BREEZE. Violent wind storms and hurricanes have been unknown in Puerto Rico for many years. The last one of any consequence was that of 1825, which destroyed several towns and caused much damage to agriculture. The hurricanes of the West Indies, which are so dreaded by mariners and by the people on shore alike, seem to have left Puerto Rico almost exempt. Earthquakes are somewhat frequent, but not violent or of great consequence. Rain storms in the midst of the rainy season are sometimes very violent, damaging bridges and growing crops along the streams into which they drain. This is almost the only exception to nature's kindness to the inhabitants of Puerto Rico. The pleasantest time of year for an American's visit to the island is after the rainy season ends in the late fall. At that time the weather begins to be clear and fine and every condition is favorable to the most comfortable travel in the island. UNDEVELOPED MINERAL Puerto Rico is by no means rich in minerals. Galena is mined at La Rosita, in the province of Guayama; gold is washed in various streams, lignite is found, and there are various salt ponds which are worked commercially. Copper and iron are reported to exist. There are various mineral springs of healing virtue, particularly the famous Baños de Coamo. The sulphur baths of Quintana, near Ponce, and the springs of Juana Diaz are notable locally among the islanders. WEALTH. There are several caves of considerable size. The most notable one is that of Aguas Buenas, which shows conclusively the volcanic origin of the island. It is tortuous, with deep recesses, but the myriads of bats inhabiting it render a visit far from pleasant. The names of other caves are, the "Cave of the Dead," in Utuado; Consejo cave, in Arecibo, and the cave of Ciales. Adjacent to Puerto Rico on the east, west and south are several little islands which belong to the colony geographically and the ownership of which we inherit from the Spanish. The largest of these is Isla de Vieques or Crab island, which lies directly east of Puerto Rico, thirteen miles from the port of Humacao. This island is twenty-one miles long and six miles wide, with a chain of mountains dividing it through its entire length. The highest of these mountains reaches an elevation of 1,000 feet, Mount Pirata at the west end, but this is a sufficient elevation to protect the valleys from the tropical storms that sometimes reach the island after they have swept through the Caribbees. The soil is very fertile. All the fruits and vegetables which may be grown in the West Indies will flourish here, and even now, under extremely adverse circumstances, sugar is cultivated and cattle raised with profit. The mountains are covered with forests of timber. The products of the island would find markets at Ponce and St. Thomas if not in the United States. About 6,000 persons, white and black, compose the population of Vieques. The capital, Isabella Segunda, is in the middle of the north coast, its harbor, Port Mula, being the extreme northern point of the island. Like all harbors on this side it is unsafe for anchorage during northerly gales, but Port de Arenas is only a short distance to the west around the end of the island, while on the south are the inlets of Ferro, Mosquito and Real. Some years ago there were two importing and exporting houses of importance at Isabella Segunda, and the now vacant warehouses are in good repair, awaiting the advent of some enterprising American, who will buy them for a song. Business was ruined on the island because of a long drought and under the pressure of enormously high duties on foreign imported goods the trade has decreased to local consumption only. For some FACTS ABOUT |