DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 379 
the large Lake of Tamachian, with which, in the rainy season, all these smaller lakes are 
connected. During this period of the year the river Tilapa overflows its banks and 
inundates the whole country round. In the dry season water remains in depressions of 
the land, forming the lagoons of Huamuchal; but in years of great drought even these 
dry up, the fish being destroyed; but a fresh supply finds its way from Lake Tamachian 
during the next mundation. The water is slightly brackish. The fish are taken in 
drag-nets, salted, and sold to Indians coming from the Altos of Guatemala. 
ManaGua.—According to Mr. J. Bailey this lake is about fifty or sixty miles long, by 
thirty-five miles wide. Its depth varies from 2 to 10 and 15 fathoms, but in its deepest 
part reaches to as much as 40 fathoms. Its elevation above the sea is 156 feet. On its 
south-western border the lake is separated from the Pacific by a series of comparatively 
low hills, the lowest section of which, through the Plain of Leon, is only 250 feet above 
the ocean-level. The high mountains of the Republic of Honduras approach the north- 
eastern border of the lake. On its south-eastern side an opening communicates with 
the Lake of Nicaragua. Commencing with the Fall of Tipitapa, of 22 feet height, the 
river widens into the Estero of Panaloya, and thence into the larger lake. 
Nicaracua.—The same authority gives a length of one hundred and five miles to this 
lake, and a width of about forty-five, its depth being about 15 fathoms. ‘The surface of 
the lake is studded with numerous islands, some of them, as Omotepec, being volcanic 
cones. The elevation of the lake above the mean ocean-level is given as 128 feet. The 
same line of low hills which divides Lake Managua from the Pacific separates Lake 
Nicaragua from the same ocean ; but at no point is the elevation so low as at that above 
indicated. The river San Juan, a deep-stream with several rapids, flows out of the 
south-eastern end of the lake, and falls into the Atlantic Ocean, at the port of Grey- 
town, or San Juan del Norte. 
Peten.—The Lake of Peten is situated in lat. 17° 10' N., long. 90° W., and is one of 
several lakes formed at the base of the Promontory of Yucatan. Its length is about thirty 
miles, its width eight miles, and elevation above the sea 500 feet. The water is quite 
fresh, clear, and of considerable depth. Neither the Lake of Peten nor the adjoining Lake 
of Yasha has any outlet ; and in both the water is rapidly increasing in expanse—so much 
so that several streets of the town of Flores, which stands on an island in Lake Peten, 
have been absorbed within a few years, and the posts of huts, which formerly were on 
dry ground, may now be seen standing in deep water. This increase of water can only 
be accounted for by supposing that a common subterranean outlet has been stopped up, 
or that the land of this district is experiencing a gradual subsidence. All the fish 
obtained here were caught with a hook and line, or speared. All the natives, even quite 
small children, are very expert in using a light spear formed of bamboo cane with an 
iron barb at the end. 
YzaBaL.—This lake, which is also called the Golfo Dulce, is about thirty or forty 
miles long, and ten to fifteen miles wide, and has a tolerably uniform depth of about 35 
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