But little time was given him for research of any kind.

He was anxious to reach Hispaniola, in order to see after his colonists there, and to bring them the stores which he had in charge; and so, after passing through the "Boca del Drago," and reconnoitring the island of Margarita, which he named, he was compelled to go on his way to Hispaniola.

We are hardly so much concerned with what the admiral saw and heard, as with what he afterwards thought and reported.

To understand this, it will be desirable to enter somewhat into the scientific questions which occupied the mind of this great mariner and most observant man.
THE ADMIRAL'S REASONING ABOUT THE CONTINENT.
The discovery of the continent of America by Columbus, in his third voyage, was the result of a distinct intention on his part to discover some new land, and cannot be attributed to chance.

It would be difficult to define precisely the train of ideas which led Columbus to this discovery.