302 



MANUFACTURE OF BALSAM OF PERU. 



1863. vicious and lazy race. As in most of these pueblos, the wild 

 animals commit great ravages among the cattle. 



Jicalapa. JiCALAPA, situated on a small plain, about three leagues from 

 the beach, intersected by deep gulleys (barrancas), heavily 

 wooded, principally with large cedars. The Indians are an idle 

 race, and only cultivate about 1200 balsam-trees although many 

 more exist in the dense woods, which remain uncleared. The 

 heat is very great, and the climate most unhealthy. Maize is 

 mostly cultivated, and plantains are numerous. The animals are 

 tigers, pumas, warris, ant-eaters (two varieties), armadilloes and 

 large black monkeys which form a great portion of Indian 

 delicacies. 



Teotepeque. TEOTEPEQUE, a small pueblo, situated on a beautiful eminence 

 sixteen leagues from Sonsonate and one league from the sea. 

 The climate is very hot, often 105 F. in the shade, but from 

 its elevation very healthy. The men wear a scanty breech cloth, 

 and the women only an apology for a petticoat. They are the most 

 debased of all the Indians of the coast, plant a little corn and 

 live principally on fish and every kind of animal, including their 

 favourite dish the iguana. There are plenty of balsam-trees on 

 the slopes of the mountains, but not above 300 are worked. 

 They sell their balsam to the neighbouring pueblos in exchange 

 for mania. The hills also produce sarsaparilla, and several gums, 

 incense, &c. 



Comasagua. CoMASAGUA. This town, although producing a little balsam 

 does not belong really to the balsam coast, being nearer San 

 Vicente. There are about 1000 trees, but their cultivation has 

 been nearly abandoned for that of coffee, the climate being cool 

 and appropriate to that plant. The balsam is sold in San 

 Salvador. They have vanilla, maize, wheat, rice, potatoes, 

 peaches, and a variety of fruit to supply the market of San 

 Salvador. The inhabitants are mostly Ladinos, very steady, 

 brave, and industrious. The dress of the women changes here to 

 red and blue checkered. 



Jayaque. JAYAQUE. This town, which from records has existed for 



260 years, is situated on the fertile declivity of a mountain 

 called La Cumbre, a few leagues from Izalco, and near the hot 

 river Cachal. There are about 1000 balsam trees under cultiva- 

 tion. Sugar, however, is the principal branch of industry, value 

 this year in panela or moist sugar $4000. The forests abound 

 in fine woods, mahogany, cedar, rosewood, fustic and laurel, 



