ENGINEERING- REPORTS. 
47 
ruptly on either side to a depth of two or three hundred 
feet. 
The summit of the main dividing ridge commands a magnifi- 
cent view of the country to the north, which presents the ap- 
pearance of a vast plain stretching northerly to the Gulf, and in 
an east and west direction as far as the eye can reach. The 
only highlands seen in this direction are the Encantada range, 
and in the extreme distance the peaks of San Martin and Pelon. 
Looking south, the view extends to the Pass of Chivela, and is 
limited on the right and left "by the high ranges of the Cordillera ; 
thus embracing a great extent of country, presenting a very 
diversified and picturesque appearance. 
Between the Jumuapa and Jaltepec rivers the entire country 
is densely wooded. ' These forests are truly magnificent ; exhib- 
iting an almost endless variety of trees, variegated with foliage 
of every hue, and entwined and interwoven with innumerable 
vines, which, climbing to the tops of the tallest trees, arch and 
trellis the windiog picaduras, so as almost completely to inter- 
cept the direct rays of the sun. Some of these vines are more 
than a foot in diameter, and contain large quantities of pure, 
sweet water, furnishing a welcome beverage to the thirsty trav- 
eller ; others, as the vanilla, load the air with their delicious fra- 
grance ; and others, again, are covered with flowers of various 
hues. The trees grow to an immense size, presenting many vari- 
eties which are valuable, either for the timber they furnish, the 
gums, oils, and balsams they distil, the medicinal properties they 
possess, or the fruits and flowers they bear. We find here the 
india-rubber tree in great abundance, also the Mahogany, Lig- 
num-vitse, Acacia, Achote, Mamey-zapote, Tamarindo, Cuapi- 
nol, Fern-tree, the huge Ceiba, the grotesque Palo-Amate, a 
great variety of Palms, &c, &c. 
This portion of the country is also well watered, the larger 
streams furnishing an abundant supply through the driest part 
of the season. The waters of the streams seem literally alive 
with fish, and the forests abound in game of all descriptions. 
In making a final location of the railroad between the plains 
of Xochiapa and the Jaltepec Kiver (provided the route to the 
west of the Coatzacoalcos is determined upon), there are a num- 
