230 
TOWNS, PEODUCTTVE INDUSTRY, ETC. 
rice, and ixtle. "Within a limited distance of the puebla are five 
small lakes, called respectively, El Potrero, Tierra Nueva, Gue- 
tascolapa, Jopalapa, and Los Pajaritos. The number of cattle, 
notwithstanding the rich potreros in the vicinity, is limited to 
between 3000 and 4000. The neighboring land is incomparably 
fertile, and the hills are studded with timber of great value. 
The town has a small primary school, and is governed by an 
alcalde, whose jurisdiction reaches over an extent of twelve 
leagues square ; in ecclesiastical matters, it is subject to the dis- 
trict of Huimangillo. In a deep shady vale, a league from the 
town, in the direction of the Gulf, there is said to be a huge 
stone idol, which is held in great terror by the Indians, who be- 
lieve that death will overwhelm any one who visits it. This 
absurd superstition proved an insuperable obstacle to our get- 
ting a guide to the place. 
Three miles in an easterly direction from Ishuatlan, is the pue- 
bla of Santiago Moloacan, with an Indian population of 720. 
The location of this town, on the crest of an abrupt and narrow 
ridge that overlooks the broad potreros and rich vales that 
stretch themselves to the west as far as the eye can reach, is pic- 
turesque in the extreme. On either side of the single serpentine 
street that follows the summit of this rise, the descent to the 
valleys beneath is very precipitous. The town contains a church, 
119 houses, and a wretched little school. The inhabitants are 
less hospitable than those of Ishuatlan, and given to many vices. 
Moloacan boasts of a great antiquity, and its settlement bears 
date anterior to the Conquest ; but the landholders are with- 
out titles, and the immense plains of Gavilanes on the north, 
though cultivated to some extent, are still held by the govern- 
ment. The principal products are maize and ixtle, of which lat- 
ter, more than 25,000 pounds are annually raised. Within eleven 
miles of this town, on the road to the Hacienda of San Jose, 
there is an extensive spring of petroleum, which covers an area 
of several acres. Of the value of this spontaneous product it is 
unnecessary to speak. ISTo difficulty exists in the way of its 
transportation to the river ; and the supply is said to be inex- 
haustible. Farther beyond, in the potrero of Ojapa, is a pool of 
sulphur-water ; and near the western base of the Cerro Acalapa, 
