SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



181 



region of Los Vegos just before the rain set 

 in ; here we spent the night, and saw the last 

 plantation of the aloe that produces the 

 pulque; we left this place early, and ex- 

 perienced so much inconvenience from the 

 cold as made it necessary for us to use our 

 great coats; we began our rapid descent 

 towards the sea, and having crossed the crater 

 of the volcano (described in Vol. I. p. 65), 

 a few hours again brought us into a warm 

 climate, vegetation assuming a different cha- 

 racter every hour, and the scenery becoming 

 the most delightful and romantic that the 

 mind can well conceive. We arrived at Xa- 

 lapa about mid-day, the principal part of this 

 day's journey being over a fine causeway 

 which was made about twenty years since. 



