THE 



H I S T O R Y 



OF 



MEXICO. 



BOOK I. 



Defcription of the Country of Anahuac^ or a fhort Account 

 of the Soil^ Climate^ Mountains^ Rivers^ Lakes^ Mine- 

 rals^ Plants^ Anmalsy and People of the Kingdom of 

 Mexico, 



THE name of Anahuac^ which was originally given 

 to the Vale of Mexico only, from its principal 

 cities having been fituated on iittic iflands, and upon 

 the borders of two lakes, taking afterwards a more ex- 

 tenfive fignification, was ufed to denominate almofl all 

 that traft of land, which is known at prefent by the 

 name of 'New Spain (a). 



This 



(a) Anahuac fignifies near to the ivafer, and from thence appears to be derived 

 the name of Anahuatlaca, or Nabuatlaca^ by which the polilhed nations occupy- 

 ing the banks of the Mexican lake have been known. 



Vol. I. A ' ' ' 



