A YOUNG NATURALIST. 197 



more and more barren ; and on which there was little or nothing 

 growing but a few shrubs with a bluish flower. When we had 

 reached the summit of this second ridge, a boundless plain lay 

 spread out before our gaze ; — we were now on the central 

 plateau of Mexico, in the Terre-Froide, eight thousand seven 

 hundred feet above the level of the sea. 



What a change there was ! The white soil was so light and 

 dry, that it was carried away by the breeze, and produced 

 nothing but a few leafless trees. There were also some thorny 

 bushes smothered in sand, and, a little farther on, some gigantic 

 cacti astonished us with their strange shapes. The sun, reflected 

 by the red glaring surface, much interfered with our sight, so 

 we directed our steps to the right, where there appeared to be 

 a greater amount of shade. 



" Oh ! what a wretched country ! " cried Lucien. " Can we 

 be still in Mexico ? " 



" Yes," replied I ; " but we are now on the great plateau, 

 almost on a level with the city of Mexico and Puebla." 



" Are we going to cross that great plain ? I can see neither 

 birds nor beasts on it ; in fact, one might almost fancy the very 

 trees were thirsty." 



" You are right, for it does not often rain here. Nevertheless, 

 this ground, which at first sight appears so barren, is very 

 fruitful when cultivated. It produces wheat, barley, potatoes, 

 apples, pears, cherries, grapes, peaches, and, in short, all the 

 European fruits which can only grow in a temperate zone. On 

 this plateau, too, grows the maguey agave, mexicana, a wonderful 

 plant, which is as useful to the Mexicans as the cocoa-nut tree is 

 to the inhabitants of the lands to which it is indigenous. 



L'Encuerado had stooped down under a pepper-tree, and his 

 glance wandered over the scene. The fact was, that we were 

 now about the same height as that at which his own country 

 is situated, and he might easily fancy himself near his native 

 village. 



"What are you thinking of?" said I, tapping .him on the 



shoulder. 



"0 Tatita ! why did you disturb me] Here I feel myself 



