16 BRITISH HONDURAS. 



originally derived from the West Indian Islands. They are 

 described as of excellent physique, ancl capable of great exertion 

 in the laborious work of mahogany and logwood cutting. An 

 attempt was made some years ago to introduce Chinese to 

 supplement the labour demands of the colony, but, strange to 

 say, they deserted en masse to the Santa Cruz Indians, who, 

 although they declare extermination to " los blancos," have 

 fraternised freely with the Chinamen. After the Creole 

 element, possibly the Spaniard comes next. There is here, also, 

 a large admixture of Spanish and Indian blood, with the usual 

 result, of the worst features of both races being emphasised in 

 their descendants. The other elements are Carib and pure 

 Indian. .The former is a fine quiet type of Indian : very 

 skilful as a sailor, but not a good cultivator. The Indian pure 

 and simple lives chiefly in the backwoods, and seldom troubles 

 the white man, except when, during the occasional raids of 

 Indians beyond the border, he is an object of suspicion and 

 dread to the white population. 



The total value of the imports, consisting of cigars, malt 

 liquors, spirits, sugar (refined), tea, tobacco, wines, and general 

 merchandise was 201,811. The total value of the exports, 

 consisting chiefly of sugar, rum, mahogany, cedar, logwood, rose- 

 wood, fustic, ziricote, indiarubber, sarsaparilla, turtle, coco- 

 nuts, bananas, and other fruits, was 247,403. The chief 

 import trade of the country, amounting to about two-thirds, 

 is with the United Kingdom ; the next largest share' is with 

 the United States ; while- the remainder is divided amongst 

 Mexico, Jamaica, and the Central American States. The chief 

 export trade in timber and indiarubber is also with the United 

 Kingdom, while the trade in coco-nuts and fresh fruits is 

 almost entirely confined to the United States. 



The annual revenue is 43,642, with no public debt. 



