2G1 CUBA AND PORTO RICO 



tendant buttresses, the valleys assume regular forms 

 as watersheds, and the streams can b<" traced irregularly 

 meandering towards the ocean. Toward the sea the 

 valleys extend into plains, the rushing torrents be- 

 come broad though shallow rivers, and mountains thai 

 bound the flat open country rjush their buttresses almost 

 into the sea. 



The whole of the republic is more or less mountainous, 

 the most noted mountain ranges being the La Haute and 

 Black Mountains (which constitute the axes of the two 

 projecting peninsulas), and a line of high summits on the 

 eastern frontier. 



The La Haute range is a continuation of the great axial 

 sierra of the island, while the Black Mountains constitute 

 the peculiar isolated southern group previously described. 

 Notwithstanding the generally mountainous configura- 

 tion, there are many beautiful slopes and valleys, such as 

 the cul-de-sac near Port-au-Prince, the plains of Gonaives, 

 Artibonite, Arcahaie, Port Margot, Leogane, Aux Cayes, 

 and those that follow the northern coast. There are a few 

 islands attached to Haiti, the principal of which are La 

 Tortue on the north, Gonave on the west, and L'lle-a- 

 Vache on the south coast. The first two are famous for 

 their mahogany-trees. 



The republic has a large extent of accessible coast-line, 

 marked by numerous bays and inlets, including eleven 

 ports open to foreign commerce, and numerous smaller 

 ports open only to the coasting-trade. 



The largest river of Haiti is the Artibonite, which flows 

 to the west through the great central valley of the same 

 name. There are forty-three other streams distinguished 

 by their names. 



The flora of Haiti has been only partially explored by 

 Tussac, Descourtils, and others. It is unmarked by arid 

 types like those of the plains of San Domingo, and in- 

 cludes one hundred and sixty plants supposed to possess 

 medicinal properties. No cultivation, gathering, or expor- 



