N. 8S. Manross on Coal and Iron ore in Mezico. 311 
_ The country around is well wooded and nearly level from this 
place to the Pacific. 
‘The fifth, and, all things considered, the finest deposit we have 
seen, is situated near Chutla, on the road from Zacatula to Aca- 
_ puleo, It is not more than three miles in a direct line from the 
sea, and not more than six from a bay which affords a good and 
safe anchorage and landing. This deposit extends along the side 
of a mountain for more than a quarter of a mile, is several hun- 
red feet wide and affords masses of ore of all sizes from ledges 
down to pebbles. The highest point of the bed is about 150 feet 
above the adjoining plain. On the upper side the deposit is 
bounded by a thick bed of soft limestone, affording an easy sup- 
ply of flux. The ore is pure magnetic, and is the finest we have 
seen. The country around for many leagues has a fertile soil 
and is covered with dense forests of hard woods, which would 
ole an unfailing supply of the best charcoal. ‘This location 
has special advantages in the quality and quantity of the ores, 
‘ the convenience of fluxing materials and fuel, and the nearness 
_ of a good landing, with the whole of the Pacific coast for a mar- 
_ ket. I'see no reason why the best qualities of charcoal iron 
could not be produced here as cheaply as elsewhere, with the ad- 
Vantage of freight and duties over any foreign competition in the 
Supply of the Pacific coast of Mexico, and toa considerable ex- 
_ tent also of the interior. 
Widely distributed over the country, is interesting, from the as- 
“trance it gives that, whenever coal shall be discovered, there 
will be no want of iron ore within accessible distance 
_ Next to iron, copper appears to be the most abundant metal 
pes portion of Mexico. I shall defer to ecg oat... a 
Sescripti iti his metal whi ave 
ee any leer been worked since the 
é 00d, said to b 1 
e equally rich, are : 
Mens and 0 a aay ne have collected are sufficient to 
_ ‘“tvinee me that this portion of Mexico is one of the richest 
