TOWNS, PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRY, ETC. 
231 
is a mine of rock-salt, which, in times past, was extensively 
worked, but is now abandoned and grown over. The shale here 
is dark and very carboniferous, and the abundance of iron ore 
(red haematite) throughout all this locality deserves particular 
mention, and may eventually justify the establishment of furna- 
ces for its reduction. At a distance of seven miles from Moloa- 
can is the extensive Hacienda of San Antonio, which is irrigated 
by the river from whence it takes its name. The numerous 
valuable building sites on this estate — its proximity to the nav- 
igable rivers — the rich pasturage it affords — and the abundance 
of durable timber, vanilla, ixtle, &c, growing on it, all served to 
invest it with a degree of interest. The number of cattle, con- 
sidering the immense extent of grazing-land, is, however, com- 
paratively small, and 6000 head may be stated as the utmost 
range. To the north, in the potrero of Arenal, there are several 
springs of delicious water which supply the town. Not with- 
standing the natural apathy of the inhabitants of Moloacan, they 
deserve credit for many enterprising works attempted by them. 
Among these is a bridge of sixty feet span across the Rio San 
Antonio, and a canal (cut in 1838), more than half a league in 
length, uniting the waters of the latter stream with those of the 
Uspanapa. By this the distance from Moloacan to Mina-titlan 
is shortened to four leagues. 
San Francisco Sanapa, on the northern bank of the river of 
that name, within eight Mexican leagues of its junction with 
the Tonala, was founded in 1808 by an old Spaniard named Fer- 
nando Moris y Virgil. It contains a population of 300, who 
are of the ancient race of Agualulcos. They are chiefly agricul- 
turists, and raise maize, cacao, fruits, frijoles, coffee, tobacco, 
sugar-cane, and a small quantity of cotton. The country around 
Sanapa is exceedingly rich, and the climate is allowed to be of 
the most salubrious character. The cattle (which including the 
neighboring rancherias number about 10,000 head) are re- 
markable for their good condition ; and every thing bears the 
impress of an industrious and intelligent people. Within eleven 
leagues of the puebla, on the road to Huimangillo (the head of 
the department on the east), are the villages of Tecominoacan 
and Mecatepeque, which contain together something more than 
