ISTHMUS OF TEHUANTEPEC 
135 
were then walking it was often used for ties. Spanish cedar is 
also quite abundant, and is one of the valuable woods. 
In regard to trees the old resident, and sometimes the semi-old 
one, is very apt to point out the rubber tree in its natural state as you 
ride with him through the forest, and if he knows anything about 
rubber, he never makes any mistake. If he doesn't, he is very apt to 
point out a tree which the planters call the “Boston rubber tree,'’ and 
which the natives call the “chankarro.” It really looks like the Castilloa , 
but is apt to prove a surprise to those who try to tap it. The trunk is 
only a hollow shell, and the interior is invariably filled with what are 
known as the fire ants, of whose presence the tapper is instantly apprised 
when his machete cuts through the thin film of bark. 
PIECE OF ROAD ON PLANTATION RUEIO. 
There are, also, many beautiful trees, such as the “royal" and other 
palms, and an infinite variety of vines and climbers. Perhaps the most 
abundant vine down in that part of the country is the morning glory, 
which is not an annual as it is with us, but it is a perennial, and swarms 
up over the tree trunks, covering acres of forest with its dense foliage, 
and its beautiful bloom. To those who insist that the trunk of a rubber 
tree should not be exposed to the sun, I would suggest that they allow 
the morning glory vines to cover it, as they will shade it perfectly, and 
do the tree no harm. At the same time, I am personally convinced that 
the tree needs no such shading. 
I must not forget one vine that we noted on our journey, as it 
