134 



MEXICO, CENTRAL AMEEICA, WEST INDIES. 



said to have originality cost Spain and Mexico £8,000,000. Such a sum might 

 have been applied to a better purpose by constructing the piers and breakwaters 

 required to convert into a sheltered harbour the dangerous roadstead where ship- 

 ping has hitherto had to ride at anchor. Such works, however, have at last been 

 taken in hand. 



Still farther south lies the roadstead of Aiifon Lizardo, formerly San Antonio 

 Nizardo, which is sheltered by a large cluster of islets and reefs. But with all 

 its disadvantages, the port of Yera Cruz still remains the chief trading-place on 



Fig. 55. — Haeboue Woeks in Peogeess at Vera Ceuz. 

 Scalp 1 ; 40.000. 



W'estoF i:)reenwich 



96°8- 



gs's- 



to '2* 

 Fatboms. 



2ito5 

 Fathoms. 



5 to 10 

 Fathoms. 



2,200 Yards. 



the Mexican seaboard, monopolising nearly two- thirds of the exchanges of the 

 republic. But any further delay in constructing a safe and deep harbour could 

 not fail to divert the traffic of Vera Cruz to more favoured places. A large 

 number of travellers proceeding to Mexico already prefer the more expensive 

 railway route to the sea voyage across the Gulf of Mexico. The largest 

 share of its trade is witb England, after which follow the United States, Germany, 

 and France in the order indicated. Coffee and hides are the chief articles of 

 export, England and France also taking the fibre of a species of zacaton {epkampes) 

 used in making fancy brushes 



