The cost at Panama of that transformation would be certainly inferior to the cost at Manchester not only on account of the saving of expense due to the gratuitous mechanical power given by the falls of the Chagres but also and principally on account of the extremely soft character of the greater part of the isthmian rocks. The electricity generated by the falls of the lake will put in action the rock breakers, the floating dredges, and the scows. The water in the small barge locks will raise the scows from the level of the summit to that of the lake and the depths of the lake will absorb the material of the straits. Thus the Chagres, once harnessed, will offer freely by its waters the way for the excavating and transporting instruments, by its falls the energy to animate everything and by its upper valley the dump to receive the spoils. If unbiased and free-minded engineer officers of the army, having no anterior connection with the plans under discussion, should be sent to investigate the nature of the rock on the Isthmus and then to study in France, England, and Japan the actual improved methods of dredging soft and hard material the cloud would soon be dissipated. The supposed chimera would become a real tangible thing and the United States, the trustees of humanity in the construction of the great international waterway, would give to the world what it wants, what it is possible now and easy to obtain, the “Straits of Panama.” This sounds very plausible; and it is a significant fact that engineers do not ridicule it. Their respect for it is growing. Today rock-dredging is on trial at Panama. If its feasibility can be there demonstrated the plan will undoubtedly be adopted. No man can find objections to this type when once constructed. The objections to the narrow sea-level canal first considered do not apply to the “Straits of Panama”, so they will stand as the ideal solution. A canal designed to carry the world’s commerce, to furnish free communication between the Atlantic and Pacific should be as free from artificial devices as it is possible to make it. It is therefore hoped that some day the present lock canal will be enlarged to an ideal, wide, sea-level channel. V. LOCATION, SIZE, AND PLAN