APRIL, 1908. LAKES AMATITLAN AND ATITLAN MEEK. 



179 



into the lake near the village of Jairal; the next largest near Pana- 

 jachel. The valleys drained by these streams are each about one mile 

 wide and two or three miles in length. So small are all of these valleys 

 that the shore of the lake has been but very slightly changed since its 

 formation. The lake has no visible outlet. If it ever had one it was 

 through the San Lucas pass. On the south shore of the lake are two 

 volcanoes, Atitlan and San Pedro, whose summits are 7,000 feet above 



LAKE ATITLAN SHOWING DEPTH WHERE SOUNDINGS WERE TAKEN 



the lake and 12,000 feet above the level of the sea. To the north and 

 back of the mountains bordering this side of the lake, is the plateau 

 over which the upland road between Guatemala City and Quezaltan- 

 ango passes. This plateau is about 5,000 feet above the lake. 



Lake Atitlan is about 12 miles wide and about 24 miles in length. 

 It is one of the most beautiful of our American lakes, and is situated 

 in a most delightful and healthful climate. Its elevation, and the 

 scarcity of lowland and swampy places, unfit it as a habitation for 

 mosquitoes, and so it is always free from malarial fevers. 



