76 



COFFER 



OF 



P E R O T E. 



PLATE XXXIV. 



This mountain of basaltic porphyry is less re- 

 markable for its height, than the singular form 

 of a small rock placed on the summit of the 

 eastern side. This rock, resembling a square 

 tower, bears, among the natives of the Azteck 

 race, the name of Nauhcampatepetl, from nauh- 

 campa, four parts, and tepetl, a mountain ; and 

 among the Spaniards that of Coffer of Perote. 

 The summit of this mountain commands a very 

 extensive and varied prospect over the plain 

 of Puebla, and the eastern slope of the Cordil- 

 leras of Mexico covered with thick forests of 

 liquidambar, arborescent ferns, and sensitive 

 plants. From it we discern the harbour of 

 Vera Cruz, the castle of St. John of Ulua, and 

 the seacoasts. The Coffer does not enter into 

 the limit of the perpetual snows. I found by a 



