|72 CLIMATE. 
returns of the population seem to indicate a sensible decrease— 
which is at variance with facts. The cause is, that the Indians 
find it to their advantage to make the returns as small as pos- 
sible, as by so doing, many rid themselves of taxes and a thank- 
less service in the army of the republic. 
The northern division of the Isthmus — that is to say, from the 
Pacific slope to the Mexican gulf — has, nevertheless, suffered in 
times past from the small-pox. In the year 1828, in two small 
villages near the sea-coast, east of the Coatzacoalcos Kiver, no 
less than 126 persons died out of a population of 800 ; nor were 
the ravages of the disease arrested until broad jpicaduras (roads) 
were cut through the surrounding forests to admit a free circula- 
tion of air. This had the desired effect, and the small-pox dis- 
appeared entirely. A similar instance occurred at Huiman- 
giHo, near the confines of Tobasco, where a malignant fever 
was entirely checked by felling the neighboring forests. 
The conviction in the minds of those engaged in drawing up 
this report, and one founded on a residence upon the spot, is, 
that the climate of the Isthmus is a mild and healthy one, favor- 
able to longevity, and free from many diseases incidental to 
more temperate latitudes. The health of those engaged on the 
survey was unusually good during their entire stay ; and although 
frequently by accidents wetted to the skin and remaining in wet 
clothes the whole day, and this occurring on successive days, 
with limited food at long intervals, yet none suffered in conse- 
quence — a strong proof that their health was due to the favorable 
climate. 
Compared with other places selected for forming a junction 
between the two oceans, this Isthmus has peculiar advantages. 
With less alluvial land at the sea-level, it is more healthy than 
San Juan de Nicaragua, and from its more northern latitude its 
mean annual temperature is less than that of H icaragua or of 
Panama. The latter place has, indeed, a temperature and 
climate truly torrid, and partaking more of the character of a 
continent than of an island, which latter is the peculiarity of the 
position of this portion of Mexico. 
