INTRODUCTION. ix 
from it. This range attains its greatest elevation in the north in the upland plains of 
Huehuetenango, San Marcos, and Quezaltenango, the summits of which vary in height 
from 7000 to 9000 feet. On the Pacific side its outline is broken near the capital by 
voleanoes—the “ Agua,” 12,400, and the « Fuego,” 13,100 feet. The “Fuego” was 
made a special hunting-ground by Salvin and myself in 1861-1862 during a prolonged 
stay at Duefias on the southern slope; and Mr. Champion subsequently spent some 
time there, as well as at Capetillo and Zapote, the last-mentioned place being on the 
western side. A second, or lower, range starts near Totonicapam, which forms the 
watershed of the Rio Negro or Chisoy and the Rio Motagua, and running past 
Chuacus becomes the Sierra de las Minas, dividing the Polochic from the Motagua 
Valley and terminating in the lower Sierra del Mico range, south of the Lake of Yzabal 
and the Rio Dulce. Northward, in Alta Vera Paz, especially in the neighbourhood 
of Coban, the land is broken into a number of abrupt or conical hills, but most of the 
indigenous vegetation has been cleared for the growth of coffee. Farther north still 
the country falls towards the Rio de la Pasion, where Salvin and I, and Mr. Champion 
also, spent some time collecting in the low virgin forests, which are said to extend 
almost without a break to the confines of the Mexican State of Campeche and British 
Honduras. The principal forests are to be found on the Atlantic side, chiefly in 
the northern part of Alta Vera Paz, and on the slopes of the valley of the Rio 
Polochic and its tributaries. Some parts of the interior are extremely arid, ¢. g., the 
Plains (Llanos) of Salama, Zacapa, &c. 
HONDURAS. 
The general aspect of this country is varied by mountains and hills radiating from 
the common base of the Cordilleras. The main chain does not approach within 50 or 
60 miles of the Pacific, nor does it maintain its general character of an unbroken range, 
but sometimes turns back upon itself, forming interior basins or valleys within which 
are collected the head-waters of the streams that traverse the country in the direction 
of the Atlantic. Nevertheless, as seen from the Pacific, it presents the appearance of 
a great natural wall, with a lower range of mountains bristling with volcanic peaks. 
Along the northern and eastern coasts are several bold groups of mountains, the 
highest reaching 8000 feet. The greater part of the country is well watered and 
extensive forests are said to exist in the interior, which, however, is but imperfectly 
known. 
BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Rhopal., Vol. I., November 1901. b 
