60 
ENGINEERING REPORTS. 
" In shallow cuts we also used wheelbarrows to advantage. With proper 
training the natives worked very well. I am confident they did more work 
than whites could have done in the same climate, and more cheaply. 
"I hope the line of your route is not in the vicinity of the present route of 
travel ; for although the natives when left to themselves, and treated with a 
proper degree of kindness and firmness, are tractable and willing to work ; yet 
when brought into contact with a stream of travel, such as that which now 
flows to and from California, they become altogether depraved, as I fully 
experienced on the Isthmus of Panama." 
Material for Construction. 
Quarries. — Stone for purposes of construction is found on the 
route of the survey, in the hills between the Jaltepec and Ju- 
muapa rivers ; in the Cerro Sarabia, the hills of Xochiapa, the 
Majada range, the mountain passes, Cerros San Diego and Mor- 
ro, and at numerous other points on the line of the road. These, 
mainly, consist of sandstone, granite, sienite, limestone, and 
marble. 
Hydraulic lime. — It is said that hydraulic limestone is found 
in some portions of the States of Vera Cruz and Oaxaca, but I 
am not aware of its existence on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. 
Its component parts, however, such as common limestone, clay, 
ferruginous clay, and shale, constitute some of the principal for- 
mations, and, I have little doubt, by a proper combination, 
would make an excellent artificial cement. 
Common lime can be manufactured in immense quantities 
on most parts of the Isthmus, and at many points immediately 
on the line of the railroad, there being entire mountains com- 
posed mainly of limestone and marble. 
Sand is found in the greatest quantities in all the principal 
streams on the plains, and in many places over the middle 
division. 
Brick. — Good brick-clay is found in many parts, and is used 
for paving, and in the construction of houses at Tehuantepec and 
many other towns on the northern and southern divisions. 
Timber of the best quality is also found convenient to nearly 
all parts of the work. 
