214 SOUTH AMERICA— THE ANDES REGIONS. 



The silver-mines, actively worked under the Spanish rule, have for the most 

 part been abandoned, and could scarcely be reopened during the present deprecia- 

 tion of the metal in the markets of the world. Copper, lead, and iron also occur, 

 but next to gold, salt is the chief mineral industry. The yield might be greatly 

 increased but for the Government monopoly, which limits its operations to sup- 

 plying the local demand. To the state also belong the emerald-mines of Muso, 

 while the pearl-fisheries of Rio Hacha and the Gulf of Panama are private 

 property, but of little value. 



The industrial arts can scarcely be said to have made any perceptible progress 

 since pre-Columbian times. In the same towns, villages, and districts the same 

 simple crafts are still pursued, confined chiefly to the production of hammocks, 

 coverlets, ponchos, straw hats, sacks, wallets, and such-like homely wares. But 

 these are amply sufficient to reveal the natural taste of the natives for colour 

 and form. Every earthenware utensil, every woven fabric, every object of daily 

 use is in some districts stamped with a distinctly original character in its design, 

 shape, and harmonious tints. 



With twice the population of Venezuela, Colombia still lags behind the 

 conterminous state in its foreign relations. This inferiority appears due in part 

 to the relative geographical positions of the two countries, in part to the peculiar 

 configuration of Colombia, where economic life is developed mainly on the inland 

 plateaux at great distances from the seaboard, and with difficult approaches 

 greatly enhancing the price of foreign wares destined for the interior. Hence 

 this' Slate is driven to produce on the spot, in however rude a way, many things 

 that Venezuela is enabled to import from abroad at moderate charges for 

 freight. 



According to the custom-house returns the total foreign trade of Colombia 

 amounted in 1890 to about £4,000,000, exclusive of the movement in the free 

 ports of the Isthmus of Panama. But the official figures may be deceiving, in 

 consequence of the different rates of exchange, imports being valued in pounds 

 sterling, dollars, and francs ; while the exports are calculated according to the 

 Colombian 7;e.so (dollar), nominally 4s., but really worth only 3s. 4d. Thus the 

 exports according to the official tables are greatly superior to the imports, whereas 

 the contrary is the case. Nearly all foreign dealings take place with Great 

 Britain, the United States, France, and Germany, in the order of importance here 

 given. 



The shipping continues steadily to increase from year to year, although 

 still inferior to that of a second-rate European port, such as Pljanouth or 

 Dunkirk. Nine custom-houses have been established by the Government — four 

 on the Atlantic : Rio Hacha, Santa Marta, Barranquilla, and Cartagena ; two on 

 the Pacific, and two in the Orinoco basin ; and one on the frontier of Ecuador 

 (Ipiales). 



The gold coinage, which is no longer issued by the mints of Bogota and 

 Medellin, has almost disappeared from circulation, and gold is now known only 

 as an article of trade. Even silver has become rare ; it is no longer sufficiently 



