332 



COLONIAL COMMODITIES. 



CHAP.XXV. cias internas. The exportation of hides is considerable, 

 as is that of liorses and mules. 



Poultry. Our common poultry have only of late years begun 



to thrive in Mexico ; but there is a great variety of 

 native gallinaceous birds in tliat country, such as the 

 turkey, the hocco or curassow (^Crax nigra, C. globicera, 

 C./>aMjri), penelopes, and pheasants. The Guinea fowl 

 and common duck are also reared ; but the goose is 

 nowhere ta be seen in the Spanish colonies. 



Siikworma The cultivation of the silkworm has never been 

 extensively tried, although many parts of that continent 

 seem favourable to it. An enormous quantity of wax 

 is consumed in the festivals of the church ; and not- 

 withstanding that a large proportion is collected in the 

 country, much is imported from Havannah. Cochineal 

 is obtained to a considerable amount. 



Fearla Although pearls were formerly found in great abun- 



dance in various parts of America, the fisheries have 

 now almost entirely ceased. The western coast of 

 Mexico abounds in caclialots or spermaceti-whales [Phy- 

 seter inacrociphulus) ; but the natives have hitherto left 

 the pursuit of these animals to Europeans. 



