Mexican Notes. 213 
Mexican gentlemen who bought them of the government a few years 
since for a small sum, and who have become wealthy in exporting 
the cedar, salt and other productions. Access to the islands is had 
only by permission of this firm. A mayordomo resides on the 
islands and manages the business for the owners, just as haciendas 
are managed for the non-resident owners, all over Mexico. This 
mayordomo I met in San Blas, and questioned at length as to the 
seasons, the fauna and flora, and all related matters, and from in- 
formation thus gained I reluctantly concluded not to go there at this 
time, notwithstanding that the courteous owners had freely placed 
their vessels wholly at my service for conveyance; as the expenditures 
in time and in money would certainly be heavy, while the returns to 
be reasonably expected were a rather uncertain quantity, with a too 
large probability of being very meager. One of my pet projects 
upon coming to Mexico thus vanished into thin air, for I had long 
thought of and planned visiting these interesting islands, and had 
read up and hunted out all information I could before starting. Only 
two mentions are made in any existing books that I know of, about 
the Tres Marias: one by the buccaneer Wood, and the other by the 
record of the British ship Raéi/er, which visited them many years 
ago, and the whole of the information is contained in a very few lines, 
and is rather indefinite withal. I will therefore add that a nat- 
uralist wishing to visit the islands should plan to reach them in 
May or June. The months of August, September and October, and 
perhaps November, are subject to violent squalls and storms,so that 
the small vessels engaged in the tradedo not run. Provision should 
therefore be made for a probably enforced lengthy stay. And if 
frijoles straight are not suited to the collector's dainty palate for a 
few months at a stretch, then probably he will do well to lay in a 
supply beforehand of food suited to his requirements. 
I have been thus lengthy and particular about these islands, as 
cause when I wanted to go there, I could get almost no information 
from any quarter, for there is no printed work to consult, and the 
‘items here set down were picked up one at a time in various quar- 
ters, and are believed to oF entirely reliable, and of use to the intend- 
ing visitor. 
San Bias. My pet project of visiting the Tres Macies having ; 
“filed, I felt rather at a loss what to do next, so I looked about — pee 
ee a town, ants inte: beeen to climb into the interior mountains. San a 
