TOWNS, PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRY, ETC. 
The towns which are scattered over the Isthmus present so 
many interesting features, and are so intimately connected with 
the establishment of a great commercial route, that they deserve 
something more than a passing notice. Their situation — the 
character of their inhabitants — the nature of the lands within 
their jurisdiction — and the productive industry of various locali- 
ties, are all matters of importance to the construction of a rail- 
road, and to the future colonization and destinies of the Isthmus. 
Disregarding, however, the political and ecclesiastical depart- 
ments to which the towns severally belong, it seems proper to 
consider them with exclusive reference to their geographical 
position, the order of their occurrence on the map, and their 
proximity to the proposed lines of communication. Beginning, 
then, on the Atlantic side, we have first the puebla of San 
Cristoval Ishuatlan, which enjoys a delightful and salubrious 
situation east of the Coatzacoalcos, three miles from the margin 
of that river, and within nine miles of the sea-coast. The. town, 
which is accessible by a fair mule-road from Paso Kuevo (near 
the ancient site of Espiritu Santo), contains an Indian population 
of 680, and is scattered amid a grove of cocoa-trees over an ele- 
vation commanding an extensive view of the surrounding coun- 
try. The precise date of its foundation is not known ; but it is 
supposed to be in the early part of the seventeenth century, 
when the towns bordering the river were sacked and pillaged by 
the buccaneers. Ishuatlan contains ninety-seven houses and a 
neat church, with rude altar carvings and some obsidian tablets 
of exquisite beauty. The inhabitants, who are generally indus- 
trious, devote themselves to the raising of maize, sugar-cane, 
