60 NOTES ON THE 



of tlie mountain while Ave were at the bottom of the crater. The combined effect 

 of this and the vapor on the light was very interesting. While standing near the 

 chimneys, we noticed that every light object was tinged with a reddish color; 

 patches of snow appeared of a pink hue ; a white pocket handkerchief was of a 

 light rose-color, and the gold of a watch-case resembled copper. 



The last part of the ascent of the volcano, from the snow line to the crater, is 

 generally accomplished in four hours and a half; the vertical height of this part of 

 the cone is 3300 feet, and therefore only a little over tAVclve feet in height is gained 

 in one minute. The same distance is descended in an hour or an hour and a half. 

 The horses were left at an elevation of 14,000 feet, and the edge of the crater, 

 where we descended into it, is 17,300 feet above the sea. 



The lower part of the Ixtaccihuatl has a more cheerful appearance than the 

 corresponding parts of the Popocatepetl. The soil, less covered with volcanic 

 sand, is more favorable to vegetation ; while nothing but pine-trees are seen on 

 the slopes of the "smoking mountain" (the meaning of the Aztec word "Popoca- 

 tepetl"), the spurs of the Ixtaccihuatl (Aztec for " white woman") are covered to a 

 considerable height with a variety of flowers and trees of luxuriant foliage. Never- 

 theless, this mountain is also entirely of volcanic formation, and its upper parts are 

 nearly as much covered with volcanic sand as the Popocatepetl, which probably 

 has been thrown thus far by the latter volcano, since the entire ridge which connects 

 the two mountains is covered with the same material, and their distance does not 

 exceed ten miles. Many persons are of opinion that there has formerly been a 

 crater between the highest and the northern peak of the Ixtaccihuatl, the walls of 

 which are now broken down and have filled up the cavity. The appearance of the 

 northern side favors this hypothesis, I regret much that I had not an opportunity 

 of approaching the north and cast sides of this mountain near enough to decide 

 whether the beds of dark-colored rock seen there are streams of lava or upheaved 

 ancient volcanic rock. The south and west sides, which I explored, are of graystonc 

 formation. Passing a perpendicular wall of this material a little below the line 

 of perpetual snow, I noticed, near some crevices in the rock, yellow spots, having 

 exactly the appearance of crystalline sulphur; the spots were, however, so high up 

 the wall that I could not reach them. If the Ixtaccihuatl has ever been an active 

 volcano, a much longer time must certainly have elapsed since its last eruption than 

 since that of the Popocatepetl. 



The ascent of the Ixtaccihuatl offers much greater difficulties than that of 

 "Popocatepetl," on account of its steep sides and deep fissures in the snow, which 

 arc sometimes concealed by a thin crust, and in that case they become very dan- 

 gerous to the explorer. I doubt, indeed, whether the highest point of this moun- 

 tain has ever been reached, although I am convinced that it might be attained-by 

 parties properly prepared. The last point which I reached (in February, 1857) 

 was 600 feet vertically below the highest peak. To this I ascended without 

 much exertion, following for the greater part of the way a ridge of boulders on 

 the north side of the deep ravine, wliich, starting near the top, on the west side of 

 the mountain, extends in a westerly direction and loses itself in the plain of 

 Amecameca. 



