HONDURAS AND THE MOSQUITO COUNTRY. 257 



known as the Black and Yellow Caribs the former being the 

 descendants of the survivors of the cargo of an African slaver, 

 wrecked in the neighbourhood of that island. The descend- 

 ants of the Spaniards are the dominant race, and they have 

 divided the country into various republics, though the greater 

 portion is still in almost as savage a condition as when first 

 discovered. 



HONDURAS AND THE MOSQUITO COUNTRY. 



The English have, however, a settlement in Honduras ; and 

 there is an Indian state forming the eastern portion of Ni- 

 caragua, under the government if so it can be called of a 

 native king. His territory is known as the Mosquito Country, 

 from the name of the chief native tribe over which he rules. 



The climate is very similar to that of the West Indies. 

 On the lower lands a variety of tropical productions can be 

 brought to perfection, while in the high regions cereals of 

 various sorts are abundantly produced. 



FAUNA. 



The fauna partakes partly of the character of that of the 

 equatorial regions of South America, and of the semi-tropical 

 districts of Mexico. There are several varieties of ant-eaters, 

 similar to those found in the valley of the Amazon, while 

 the gray squirrel of more northern latitudes skips playfully 

 amid the forests of the interior. In the woods and wide sa- 

 vannahs are two or more varieties of deer one resembling the 

 European deer in colour, but of less size, and adorned with 

 large antlers. The other is of a lighter and browner tint, 

 possessing short, smooth -pointed horns. The peccary is 

 common in the valleys and low ground along the coast ; while 



(S79) 17 



