228 INHABITANTS. 
Their industry consists of little else than fishing, and even this 
they can only do by means of sweep-nets ; with the produce of 
their fisheries, however, they carry on an extensive trade, al- 
though not possessing proper vessels to venture into deep water, 
and being ignorant even of the use of the oar, they only frequent 
those spots which, from their shallowness, offer little danger, 
such as marshes, and the margin of the lakes and of the sea. It 
is a singular fact, that although the Huaves are chiefly fisher- 
men, very few among them know how to swim." 
The few Mulattoes who are scattered over the Isthmus, are 
the descendants of the native whites and the liberated slaves of 
the estates of the Marquesanas. They are generally robust and 
industrious, applying themselves to the cultivation of indigo and 
cochineal. 
The ZamriboS) a half-cast between the Indian and the Negro, 
are found principally at El Barrio, Tarifa, and Niltepec. They 
inherit few good qualities, and are neither intelligent, industri- 
ous, or sober. 
The Negro population is so insignificant that they scarcely 
claim attention. In some few instances, however, they are hard- 
working and deserving people. 
In a retrospective view of the character and condition of the 
inhabitants of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, there is little to ex- 
cite our admiration, but much to pity and deplore ; yet amid 
the atmosphere of degradation, ignorance, and depravity which 
overshadows the land, there are refreshing hopes that promise, 
under careful culture, to yield an abundant harvest. They seem 
to need only the example of activity to rekindle their dormant 
energies, and the neigh of the " iron horse" to awaken them 
from their indolent dream. 
