132 NARRATIVE OF A 



June, and the other, which is winter, comprises the re* 

 maining six months of the year. Nothing can be more 

 regular than the commencement of the rains at the period 

 presented by Nature, and their cessation after they have 

 lasted their appointed time. It is also a singular fact, that 

 the rain scarcely ever falls in the morning, but almost 

 always about two hours after the sun has passed the me- 

 ridian. As the country is everywhere provided with nu- 

 merous springs and rivers, the continuation of dry weather 

 for nearly six months is not attended with any great in- 

 convenience. In one respect it is highly advantageous, 

 as it is not only favourable, but indispensable, to the pro- 

 duction of cochineal, one of the great staple commodities 

 of the country. 



The soil in Central America is for the most part ex- 

 ceedingly fertile. In the plains, and especially in the 

 vallies, it is a dark rich mould of alluvial formation, 

 which might serve as manure for lands in other parts of 

 the world, and is in some places six feet deep. The over- 

 flowings of some of the rivers and the numerous springs 

 by which the country is watered, give to the land a green 

 and fresh appearance, oven in the dry season. To this 

 fertility of soil, and to the graduation of temperature — the 

 natural consequence of an advantageous scale of altitudes 

 — may be attributed the variety and abundance of the 

 vegetable productions of Central America, which embrace 

 nearly all those of Europe and the West Indies, besides 

 some that are peculiar to the country. Of these the most 

 valuable are indigo, cochineal, tobacco, cocoa, mahogany, 

 logwood, vanilla, cotton, and sassafras, which are the 

 great staples of the country, and the chief articles of ex- 

 portation. Indian corn, sugar, and coffee, are also pro- 

 duced in considerable quantity, and a variety of dye 

 woods, as also gums, .spices, and balsams, especially the 

 balsam of Tolu, so much esteemed. 



Of dye woods, the following, next to logwood, are the 



