COLONIAL COMMODITIES. 389 
and very little coffee is used in the country. Cocoa, 
vanilla, jalap, and tobacco, are cultivated; but of 
the latter there is a considerable importation from 
Havannah. Indigo is not produced in sufficient 
quantity for home consumption. 
Since the middle of the sixteenth century, oxen, 
horses, sheep, and hogs, introduced by the conquer- 
ors, have multiplied surprisingly in all parts of New 
Spain, and more especially in the vast savannahs of 
the provincias internas. The exportation of hides 
is considerable, as is that of horses and mules. 
Our common poultry have only of late years be- 
gun to thrive in Mexico; but there is a great va- 
riety of native gallinaceous birds in that country, 
such as the turkey, the hocco or curassow (Craz 
nigra, C. globicera, C. pauat), penelopes, and phea- 
sants. The Guinea fowl and common duck are also 
reared ; but the goose is nowhere to be seen in the 
Spanish colonies. 
The cultivation of the silkworm has never been ex- 
tensively tried, although many parts of that continent 
seem favourable to it. An enormous quantity of 
Wax is consumed in the festivals of the church ; and, 
notwithstanding that a large proportion is collected 
in the country, much is imported from Havannah. 
Cochineal is obtained to a considerable amount. 
Although pearls were formerly found in great 
abundance in various parts of America, the fisheries 
have now almost entirely ceased. The western 
coast of Mexico abounds in cachalots or spermaceti- 
whales (Physter macrocephalus) ; but the natives 
have hitherto left the pursuit of these animals to 
Europeans. 
