TOWNS, PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRY, ETC. 2-1-1 
and precipitous, and crossing a succession of high spurs and in- 
tervening valleys. The road for the whole distance (to within a 
mile of the hacienda) lies through a dense forest, that scarcely 
permits the ra}^s of the sun to penetrate ; but the immense 
growth of the timber, the varied character of the foliage, the 
grotesque windings of the hejucos, the beauty of the orchi- 
dacse, the exquisite hues of the flowers, and the delicate fra- 
grance of the vanilla, added to the melodies of birds, and the 
murmuring sounds of the rapids, all conspire to render the 
scenery of this road most enchanting. On emerging from the 
forest, the view of the surrounding country is extremely beauti- 
ful; and by ascending a small eminence, immense prairies, 
clothed with luxuriant grass, are seen stretching to the bases of 
the distant mountains. Looking south, one sees the low depres- 
sion formed by the passes through the dividing ridge which 
separates the waters of the two oceans ; and to the right and 
left the main chain of the great Cordillera, rising in sublime 
grandeur. The soil, with the exception of that in the valley, 
and on the margins of the streams, is coarse, gravelly, and 
unproductive : this refers especially to the country south and 
west of the Hacienda. To the north the vegetation is more 
rank, and the character of the land superior. The number of 
cattle about Boca del Monte is limited to less than 3000, but 
they are remarkably well conditioned, and generally a larger 
breed than are found on the Atlantic plains. 
Southwesterly, nine miles from this Hacienda, is the extensive 
Indian puebla of San Juan Guichtcovi, accessible by a nar- 
row mule-road, which crosses the Mogane (one of the tributaries 
of the Malatengo) five miles from Boca del Monte, and soon after 
is rugged and steep. Within a mile of San Juan it intersects 
the Pachine, and extends through a shady grove, leaving which 
it suddenly becomes rocky, and for the rest of the way winds 
along ravines and overhanging precipices. The situation of 
Guichicovi is remarkable, being built on an elevated table-land, 
which constitutes the summit of an abrupt spur of the great 
Cordillera, and overlooks a broad range of country to the east 
and south, variously diversified by hills, dales, and rolling 
prairies. The site of the town comprises an area of about thirty 
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