By Mr. Theodore Hartweg. 



119 



At Aguas Calientes I found a little more occupation, the rains 

 having then set in ; but being still dissatisfied with my excursions, 

 I determined at once to leave the high table land and proceed to 

 Bolanos, where I should have the command of a vegetation from 

 3,000 to more than 8,000 feet of elevation. The town of Bolanos, 

 where I arrived on the 4th of October, is situated in a deep ravine, 

 about 3,000 feet above the level of the sea, and from its confined 

 situation has a higher temperature than might be supposed. The 

 thermometer ranges from 39° to 85° Fahr. in the month of Decem- 

 ber, but in May it is from 85° to 95° Fahr., and even as high as 102° 

 in the shade. The atmosphere being very dry is favourable to the 

 growth of Bromeliaceous and Cactaceous plants, of which latter 

 there is a great variety, especially among Opuntias and Cerei. Of 

 the latter there are species which rise to the height of 30 or 40 feet, 

 and yield an agreeable fruit of the size of a large walnut, with red 

 or yellow pulp ; they are known under the name of Pitaya. Here 

 also occurred a species of Agave with leaves six feet long by four 

 inches broad, from which a spirit is distilled known under the name 

 of Vino Mescal. When the plants are of a certain size they are 

 taken up, and the stem, which is about 18 inches long, as well as 

 the leaves, is cut off to the base, which gives the trunk a globular 

 appearance. In this state it is roasted, then crushed, and after 

 passing into the vinous fermentation, Vino Mescal is distilled from 

 it. This spirit may be compared to weak whiskey, but its strong 

 smoky flavour renders it anything but pleasant. The plant I never 

 could see in flower. 



Ascending the steep sides of the ravine on the western side, I 

 left the region of Acacias, Bromeliacece and arborescent Cerei, and 

 entered that of Oaks. After a four leagues' ride, and constant 

 ascent, I arrived at Berberea, the Mining Company's wood cutting 

 establishment, situate in the midst of woods at an elevation of more 

 than 8,000 feet above the level of the sea. Here I found, sur- 

 rounded by evergreen Oaks, Pines and Arbutus densiflora, the 



