130 



Notes of a Visit to Mexico, 



the fruit they produced was small and worthless, but was said to 

 improve much when cultivated. 



At Yalahui the vegetation is most luxuriant ; Pines cease to 

 grow, but the higher parts are still covered with deciduous Oaks. 

 Here the Cordillera, which had been entered at a distance of two 

 leagues from Oaxaca, is passed ; the whole distance being about 

 fifty leagues. Towards Iochiapam the " bajos," or lowlands, bor- 

 dering on the gulf of Mexico begin, Palms become more frequent, 

 and the first Cotton plantations occur. 



At Plata Vicente Palms covered large spaces of ground ; and 

 the thermometer stood at 2 P.M. at 94° Fahr. 



At the Rancheriade Buena Vista the Oaks composing forests 

 are small, vegetation assumes a dry aspect, and the large tracts of 

 savannahs were parched up. Towards the Santuario Cotton 

 plantations became more frequent, and three species of Palm were 

 observed. The temperature of the lowlands was 95° in the shade 

 during the day, and 83° at night. From this place which is one 

 hundred leagues from Oaxaca, I returned by the same road as far 

 as Comaltepeque. 



From the latter place to Totontepeque the vegetation bears a 

 great similarity to that of Tonaguia, from which it is separated by 

 a high ridge. In the more elevated parts the Amber tree, Liqui- 

 dambar styraciflua, forms a large tree and its secretion is highly 

 valued by the Indians in dressing wounds. The village of Toton- 

 tepeque is about 4,000 feet above the level of the sea, and enjoys 

 a temperature of 65° to 75° all the year round ; the climate is par- 

 ticularly well adapted to the growth of Coffee of which there are 

 some patches; the Granadilla (Passiflora stipularis) is very 

 common, as also the " Aguacate " or Alligator pear, a species of 

 Persea, with a large globular fruit and thick rind. 



From Comaltepeque the road for nearly eight leagues rises con- 

 tinually until it reaches its highest point, the " cumbre " or sum- 

 mit of Totontepeque, which by several barometrical observations 



