;;:;;:::s*? coast and tableland m:::;:;:: 



tropical as any under the equator. As any zonal map 

 will show, while the North Temperate reaches a chilly 

 finger far southward along the highest slopes of 

 Mexico's tableland, the Tropics are not intimidated, 

 but threaten indeed to outHank their eternal enemy 

 by sendnig long slender arms nortliAvard up the two 

 coasts, where the breath of the equator defies the 

 frosts of the snoAv-capped peaks but a few miles away. 

 For mile after mile Ave rushed on, hardly rising a foot, 

 through fields of tasselled cano aziicar (sugar-cane), 

 through groves of banana and cocoanut-palms, and 

 coffee plantations. Marsh and SparroAv HaAAd^s Avere 

 abundant, and an occasional large yelloAV flycatcher 

 flashed past. We began to draw near the mountains, 

 Avhich rose high and grand in a single abrupt sweep 

 from the flat hot lands, the tlerra callente, Avhich Ave 

 had left behind us. 



At niodit, in our hotel in Orizaba, Ave Avere reminded 

 of our close approach to the cold mountains by a freez- 

 ino- Avind Avhicli lasted until late next morning. Amid 

 hundreds of roses Ave shivered and shook as Ave ate our 

 breakfast in the open jjcdio. The insect life of this 

 toAvn must go into a semi-hibernation every night, for 

 I found many species of moths and beetles stifi: and 

 numb upon the ground beneath the electric lights. 

 Tavo large and beautiful sphinx moths (Pseudo.'^jjhuix 

 tetrio) Avhicli I held in my hand for some time, revived, 

 and at last Avere able to fly Aveakly aAvay. 

 «4 21 -^ 



