32 BRITISH HONDURAS. 



mid Spaniard, living in one settlement, each keeps to its own 

 distinctly marked quarter. The Creoles are generally held to 

 be the most troublesome to control, and they look down upon 

 the Caribs, who for the most part are a quiet, industrious race. 

 The Spaniard-speaking element (of Indian and Spanish blood) 

 is not so numerous in the southern districts as it is north of 

 Belize, and along the western frontier. Its presence here is due, 

 for the most part, to the fact that the proximity of the southern 

 settlements to the Kepublicau States of Guatemala and Spanish 

 Honduras makes them a convenient place of refuge for the 

 lawless and others who render themselves obnoxious or trouble- 

 some in their native country. It is interesting to notice that 

 the existence of a Spanish element in a village may often be 

 revealed by the presence of the coco-plum tree (Chrysdbalanus 

 Icaco), found growing near their dwellings. The fruit is eaten 

 fresh or prepared with sugar, when it forms a favourite conserve 

 with Spaniards all the world over. It is not, I believe, generally 

 known that the kernels of this fruit yield a fixed oil, which 

 might be of service in many instances, where a bland fine oil is 

 desired. 



On the Monkey River* the largest fruit company in the 

 colony, viz., the Walize Fruit Company, has opened up an 

 extensive tract of land, and although I was unable to visit it, the 

 accounts given to me would indicate that it is likely to be a 

 great success. The company has a capital of $15,000, in shares 

 of $50 each. Near the mouth of the river, and for some distance 



* As to the name of this river, Mr. Fowler mentions : " Well may the 

 river be called Monkey River, for all species of the tribe haunt its banks. 

 A drove of baboons surrounded the houses during the night, and the 

 unearthly and dismal choruses, the sepulchral tones and howls of these 

 animals were demoniacal, and would scare any one, hearing them for the 

 lirst time, in the middle of the night." 



