PANAMA CANAL.


ment. The shore at this point is occupied by docks and coal storage
with which any extraneous structure would come in conflict. More-
over, there are points of interest as one approaches the canal from the
Pacific with which it would be unwise to attempt to compete by any
structure built for artistic reasons alone. The shore itself, with its
rugged range of mountains, is inspiring, and the islands guarding
the entrance are interesting in the extreme. The islands to the south
really will guard the entrance, as three of them are to be occupied
by forts with heavy guns. The second one, Perico, is most unusual
and picturesque. Naturally a wooded mound, rising abruptly out of
the sea, the top has been flattened for a fortress, and a spiral road-
way encircling the island leads up to it from the causeway which
connects this island with its neighbor, Naos, and thence with the
mainland. In our opinion, the only place upon which a monument
might be erected would be on the small round hill at Point Farfan,
which rises directly from the water at the entrance to the canal, and
is symmetrical in form. It would, however, be difficult to erect any
structure here that would not appear to be forced unless it were a
lighthouse, and the plan for lighthouses and beacons does not pro-
vide for a light on this eminence. All things considered, we are not
prepared to advise adding any structure to those already projected
at the south end of the canal.

 6. THE ISLANDS OF NAOS, PERICO, CULEBRA, AND FLAMENCO.
 These islands, referred to above, are, as already stated, connected
with each other and with the mainland by dikes or causeways. (See
photograph, Exhibit No. 12.) One of these causeways between East
Balboa and Naos is about 3:- miles in length, and as it may come to
be a favorite drive for the people of Panama it has been proposed
to plant it with trees throughout its entire length. If the trees were
planted near enough together to shade the road effectively they
would completely shut out from the ships entering or leaving the
canal the view of the city, which at present is very attractive. They
might also disturb the effect of the long low straight line which the
causeway now makes and which is a striking note in the picture,
and they would tend to make the shore continuous with the island,
and thus destroy the effect of its being an island. We therefore
doubt the wisdom of such tree planting. It may be possible to plant
groups of trees, presumably palms, near the ends of the causeway
without impairing its effect and the impression of Naos Island.
This should be carefully considered. The same arguments apply to
the dike connecting Naos and Perico, though not to the same extent.

 7. PERMANENT TOWNS.
 After the completion of the canal the work of maintenance and
operation will require the residence of a considerable permanent
population of employees on the Canal Zcne. It is expected that these
will be concentrated at five centers. Four of these are now occupied
by the construction force, and at these it is proposed to utilize the
present quarters, as far as available, with such gradual replacements
and changes as may prove necessary. These are: (1) Cristobal and
Colon, chiefly for those concerned with the port, with the sea-level