94 



MEXICO, CENTEAL AMERICA, WEST INDIES. 



But however this be, certain mines, such as those of San Antonio, south of 

 La Paz, are still very rich in auriferous ores, their annual yield exceeding 

 £480,000. At Marques, north-west of La Paz, a quicksilver mine is also worked. 



La Paz is also the centre of important pearl fisheries in the Gulf of California. 

 The submerged rocks off Cape Pichilingue are covered with pearl oysters, which 

 are fished up by the Yaqui Indians. Whule forests of coral flourished in the 

 straits separating the island from the mainland, and here are collected as many as 

 nineteen different species of sponges, all, however, of a somewhat coarse texture. 

 Although the value of these fisheries, like that of the mines, has gradually fallen 



Fig. 37. -La Paz. 

 Scale 1 : 11,000,000. 



West oi breenwic^ 



Il2°i0- 



to5 

 Fathoms. 



Depths. 



5 to 25 



Fathoms. 



25 Fathoms 

 and upwards. 



12 Miles. 



off, the average annual yield is still estimated at about £10,000 on the spot. The 

 pearls are bought up by Jewish dealers of New York, who realise considerable 

 profits on the transaction. 



Loreto, which, like the capital, lies on the Gulf some 160 miles farther north, 

 was formerly the religious centre of Lower California. Here the Jesuit mis- 

 sionary, Salvatierra, established in 1697 the first fortified station, whence expedi- 

 tions were made into' the interior to bring back captives, who were then manu- 

 factured into devout believers. 



At the western foot of the neighbouring Giant Mountain lies the village of 



Comondii, where a small detachment of Mexican soldiers held out for four mouths 



gainst greatly superioi- American forces. The architecture of this village, like 



