PRODUCT AND VALUE OF ZACATECAN MINES. 



317 



The Sierra de Pinos, Chalchiguitec, Los Angelos, Plateros, and 

 other metallic deposits were formerly celebrated for their productive 

 value ; but they are now either partially or entirely abandoned. 



We may deduce some interesting statistical information from the 

 labors of Berghes in regard to the mineral wealth of Zacatecas and 

 the productiveness of its mines. According to the tables of this 

 writer, published in 1834, it appears that from the year 



1548 to 1810 the mines of this region produced $588,041,956 

 1810 to 1818 " " " 20,060,363 



1818 to 1825 " " " 17,912,475 



1825 to 1832 " " " 30,028,540 



$656,043,335 



These rates gave an annual mean product, from 

 1548 to 1810 « «• « of $2,244,434 



1810 to 1818 " " « " 2,507,545 



1818 to 1825 " " " " 2,558,925 



1825 to 1832 " « « " 4,003,128 



It will be seen by reference to our table on page 88 of this volume, 

 that the value of the products of Zacatecas in the ten years from 

 1835 to 1844, was $43,384,215 ; giving a mean annual rate of 

 $4,338,421, and exhibiting the important fact, in spite of revolu- 

 tionary troubles and consequent social, commercial and industrial 

 disorganization, that the mineral yield of this region, instead of 

 diminishing, has steadily increased with every year. In 1845, the 

 Mint in Zacateeas issued $4,429,353. 



The State of Zacatecas contains some remarkable remains of In- 

 dian architecture on the Cerro de los Edificios, situated two 

 leagues northerly from the village of Villanueva, twelve leagues 

 south-west from Zacatecas, and about one league north of La Que- 

 mada, at an elevation of 7,406 feet above the sea. 



RUINS NEAR Q,UEM AD A. 



" We set out," says Captain Lyon, in a volume of his travels in 

 Mexico, "on our expedition to the Cerro de los Edificios under the 

 guidance of an old ranchero, and soon arrived at the foot of the ab- 

 rupt and steep rock on which the buildings are situated. Here we 

 perceived two ruined heaps of stones, flanking the entrance to the 

 causeway, ninety-three feet broad, commencing at four hundred feet 

 from the cliff. 



" A space of about six acres had been enclosed by a broad wall, 

 2o 



