72 A NATURALIST IN MEXICO. 



collected under the wet leaves. A small Pu/>a (F. con- 

 tracta) I found quite abundant. Among others found were 

 three species of Patula [P. ititonsHy Pi/sb?'y), three of 

 Streptostyla, and several Helicina. I picked up a Carychium 

 i^C, mexicanuDi) in great quantities, and a Proserpina {P. 

 Ceres salleana) of two distinct varieties, one red and one 

 buff. 



In the rocks we found the following fossils, all refer- 

 able to the Cretaceous deposits. Nariccpa castillo, found 

 imbedded in the marble and identified from a polished sec- 

 tion. A Murex was found, but in such a state as to be un- 

 determinable, so far as specific characters were concerned. 

 A Tylostoma was also found of very large size, but in such 

 a twisted condition as to be unrecognizable.. Several other 

 specimens were found, of which the generic identity could 

 only be determined. These were Ostrea, Caprina, and 

 Hippurites. 



On the second of April we again boarded the Mexico and 

 Veracruz train for another journey skyward, for we had yet 

 some four thousand feet to climb before reaching the Mexi- 

 can plateau. After leaving Orizaba, the line passed 

 through a fertile valley for a few miles, and then again 

 came to the steep mountain slope. From Orizaba to 

 Maltrat'a, the railway ran parallel with the Rio Blanco, and 

 crossed its tributaries in several places. A short time be- 

 fore reaching Maltrata, we passed the Barranca del In^ 

 fcnillo, or "Ravine of the Little Hell." This was a wild 

 and desolate place, dropping six hundred feet below the 

 ledge on which the track was laid. Far below, in the 

 depths of this ravine, was seen a liny stream, looking like a 

 silver thread, winding its way down. In this deep gorge 

 the effects of crushing and folding of the rocks was well 

 seen. The limestone was here standing at every conceiv- 

 able angle, and was overlaid by a huge mass of lava, to 



