38 
ENGINEERING KEPORTS. 
so than might be anticipated from the combined influences 
of climate and a soil remarkably productive, which, with little 
labor on the part of the inhabitants, supplies them with all the 
necessaries of life. In our intercourse with them, they invari- 
ably manifested a very friendly disposition, and a desire to ren- 
der us all assistance, in gaining information of the country, in 
their power. 
We were occupied with the reconnaissance some ten days, 
but were delayed till the 20th of the month before obtaining 
canoes with which to ascend the river. 
In pursuance of instructions, we proceeded directly to Boca 
del Monte, at which point we arrived February 2d, having been 
delayed a week at Paso Sarabia, awaiting mule transportation. 
"We immediately commenced operations in the field, starting 
our line of survey at a point about two miles west of Boca del 
Monte, and working to the south. From this point our sur- 
veys were extended to the plains of Xochiapa, and northerly to 
the Jaltepec River, a total distance of forty-one miles. 
The southern portion of the route presents the following char- 
acteristics : 
Commencing at the initial point above described, the line of 
survey follows down the valley of a small stream, draining the 
northern slope of the Sarabia Mountain, and has an average 
course of about S. 70° E., for a distance of two miles; thence, 
turning the eastern end of that mountain, it traverses a level prai- 
rie for a distance of two and a half miles to the crossing of the Ma- 
latengo River, with a course S. 5° 45' E. ; passing the river, the 
course thence is S. 1° 15' W. for half a mile over an alluvial bot- 
tom ; thence deflecting a few degrees to the right, the line trav- 
erses moderately elevated rolling ground for the distance of a 
mile, when it again strikes the river-bottoms, and deflecting to 
the right, bears S. 33° 45' W. for one mile further, where the high- 
land on the east comes down to the river, forming high, pre- 
cipitous banks. For a distance of six and a half miles south- 
ward of this point, the line is confined to the immediate banks 
of the Malatengo River, by high hills on either side, the river 
having for this distance worn a deep, narrow channel through 
a range of hills varying in height from two to eight hundred 
