to be found on standard maps of Oaxaca, while recent 
maps of Puebla bear conspicuously the name of the town 
of Chinautla. Chinant/a refers to a rain-forested moun- 
tainous region, whereas Chinautla refers apparently to 
a dry, plateau region. The resulting errors in floristic 
studies are often grave. 
Further uncertainty is occasioned by the variety of 
meanings which the convenient term Chinantla has as- 
sumed at the hands of botanical, anthropological and 
historical writers. 
Although in several papers (27, 29, 80) incidental 
reference has been made to the meaning of Chinantla, 
a more complete review of the history of the term with 
special reference to its botanical usage and significance 
may be helpful in clarifying the problem. 
Il. Use spy Hisrortans AND ANTHROPOLOGISTS 
The word Chinantla has its etymological origin in the 
Aztee word chinamitl, signifying ‘‘an enclosed space’’. 
It is believed that the name Chinant/a originally referred 
to asingle settlement or town probably slightly south of 
the present village of San Juan Valle Nacional (long. 
96°20’, lat. 17°48’) in the District of Tuxtepec. At the 
time of the Conquest, however, the name was used to 
designate an area which included a town called Chinantla 
and a number of dependent hamlets as well. Recent 
attempts have been made to identify the town of Chi- 
nantla with ruins of a pueblo viejo which have been found 
on the southern side of the Rio Valle Nacional between 
San Mateo Yetla (long. 96°24’, lat. 17°45’) and San 
Juan Valle Nacional (15). 
The Relacién de Chinantla (12), an excellent English 
translation of which has been prepared by Bevan (2), was 
written in the town of Chinantla in November 1579. It 
is clearly set forth in the Relacién that Chinantla referred 
[ 103 ] 
