CLIMATE DEPARTMENTS PRODUCTS SAN LUIS. 325 



broken, and a lower hilly country stretches out towards the south- 

 east. The Panuco and the Santander are the only two rivers, and 

 the lagunes of Chariel and Chila the only two lakes of importance 

 in the State. 



The climate of the mountain region and table lands is cold, while 

 that of the lower elevations and flats towards the eastern boundary 

 is much warmer, and, at certain seasons, very unhealthy. 



The State of San Luis Potosi is divided into four departments, 

 ten cantons, and fifty-two municipalities, w T ith a population of over 

 300,000. 



1st. Department of San Luis with the cantons San Luis, Santa 

 Maria del Rio and Guadalcazar. 



2d. Department of Rio Verde, with the cantons of Rio Verde 

 and del Maiz. 



3d. Department of Tancanhuitz, with the cantons of Tancan- 

 huitz and De Valles. 



4th. Department of Venado, with the cantons of Venado, Ca- 

 torce and Ojocaliente. 



The agriculturists of San Luis are engaged chiefly in the produc- 

 tion of corn, wheat, barley and fodder ; all of which are yielded 

 plentifully by the genial soil of the State. But the toils of the far- 

 mer and the generosity of the ground are not always repaid by suit- 

 able prices or a good market. Corn ranges from fifty cents to 

 seventy-five the fanega ; and even at this rate often lacks purcha- 

 sers. Cattle are raised in large quantities, as in Zacatecas, Durango 

 and Chihuahua. Manufactures are progessive. Woollen and cot- 

 ton fabrics are produced of excellent quality and favor among the 

 masses. Glass, leather, pottery and metallic wares are also made in 

 large quantities, and a busy traffic in foreign goods is carried on 

 with the port of Tampico, and the States of Zacatecas, Durango, 

 Sonora, New Leon, Guanajuato, Mechoacan and Jalisco. The po- 

 sition of this State, and especially of its principal town, naturally 

 makes it an entrepot between the coast and the interior, for imports 

 from America and Europe. Nevertheless, a small trade, only, ex- 

 ists in home products, and these are chiefly sent to New Leon and 

 Coahuila. 



The chief towns are San Luis Potosi, the capital of the State 

 and seat of government, lying on a level plain, among the steep 

 declivities of the Cordillera in the neighborhood of the sources of 

 the Panuco, in 22° 4' 58" north latitude, 103° 1' west longitude 

 from Paris, 5,959 feet above the sea. It is a regular, well built 

 city, with broad, paved streets, a fine plaza or public square, and 

 2p 



