188 
VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS. 
three inches in length, and fifteen in breadth. Another kind, 
cultivated on the plains, and called " corral," is smaller, and of 
a flavor and quality which is said to be superior to the best 
vuelta de dbaja of Cuba. On the plantations, near Jaltipan, 
the quantity raised is very considerable, and the natives under- 
stand very well the method of its production. With regard to 
the pecuniary results arising from an extensive culture of the 
tobacco of the Isthmus, it is only necessary to say that the soil 
is admirably adapted, and it can be grown equally well in all 
parts. 
The land east of the Coatzacoalcos, and that which skirts the 
Mexican gulf, is characterized by the abundance of allspice 
(myrtus pimento) disseminated over its surface. According to 
the calculations of Senor Ortiz, this fruit might be gathered 
annually to an amount of $50,000. Its cultivation is entirely 
neglected. Is"ear Yentosa, on the Pacific plains, the cassia-tree 
(C. fistula of Linnseus) is somewhat plentiful, but the only use 
made of it is for occasional purposes of construction. 
The banks of the Coatzacoalcos exhibit, in a wild state, the 
greatest abundance of coffee, and with few exceptions no pains 
are taken to cultivate it, although the quality is admitted to be 
very superior. This neglect may be readily accounted for in 
the universal preference which exists among the natives for 
chocolate. The only coffee plantation worthy of note is one on 
the island of Tacamichapa, opposite the village of Almagres. 
The amount of rice cultivated on the Isthmus, compared with 
the quantity the land is susceptible of yielding, is exceedingly 
insignificant. At San Juan Guichicovi some attention is paid 
to the raising of a species of mountain rice ; and in the potreros 
between the Coatzacoalcos and Tonala rivers the plantations are 
of considerable value. Tadeo Ortiz, referring to this portion of 
the Isthmus, says, " that which most particularly characterizes 
this privileged region, is the singular fact, that one single sowing 
of rice will yield successively two large crops without the 
slightest additional labor." Like the theobroma, it is not adapted 
for the Pacific plains. 
The cotton plantations of the Isthmus are so trifling as scarcely 
to deserve the name, but the fitness of the soil and climate to 
