292 OCCUPATIONS OF THE TRAVELLERS. 



CHAP.xxiiL time supposed there did not exist more than a single 



specimen. 

 Kesideneeat At that city they remained several months, for the 

 -Mexico. purpose of arranging their botanical and geological col- 

 lections, calculating the Ijarometrical and trigonometrical 

 measurements which they had made, and sketching the 

 plates of the Geological Atlas which Humboldt proposed 

 to pul)lish. They also assisted in placing a colossal 

 equestrian statue of the king, which had been cast by a 

 native artist. In January 1804 they left Mexico with 

 the intention of examining the eastern declivity of the 

 Cordillera of New Spain. They also measured the great 

 Pvramid of Pyramid of Cholula, an extraordinarj' monument of the 

 ciioiuia. Toltecks, from the summit of which there is a splendid 

 view of the snowy mountains and beautiful plains of 

 Tlascala. It is built of brick, which seemed to have 

 been dried in the sun, alternating with layers of clay. 

 They then descended to Xalapa, a city placed at an ele- 

 vation of 48.35 feet above the sea, in a delightful climate. 

 The dangerous road which leads from it to Perote, through 

 almost impenetrable forests, was thrice barometrically 

 levelled by Humboldt. Near the latter place is a moun- 

 tain of basaltic porphyry, remarkable for the singular 

 form of a small rock placed on its summit, and which 

 The Coffer of 's named the Coffer of Perote. This elevation commands 

 I'erote. ^ very extensive prospect over the plain of Puebla and 



the eastern slope of the cordilleras of Mexico, which is 

 covered with dense forests. From it they also saw tlie 

 liarbour of Vera Cruz, the castle of St Juan of UUoa, 

 and the seacoast. 



Before following our travellers across the Atlantic, it 

 may be useful to present a sketch of the valuable obser- 

 vations recorded in Humboldt's Political Essay on tlie 

 Kingdom of Xew Spain, and which are in part tlie result 

 of his researclies hi that interesting country. 



