( 6i ) 
The Ports of Progreso (for Merida), Ascension Bay (for Chansanta- 
CRUZ, &C.), XCALAK, AgUADA AND PaYO-ObISPO (FOR BaCALAR AND 
Rio Hondo trade on the British frontier). 
Progreso is the port of Merida, a city of considerable size in Yucatan. 
From a British Consular report I learn that the last case of Yellow fever in 
Progreso was on February 1 6th, 1905. From the same source a case of 
Yellow fever was reported in Merida, March 1 8th, 1905, and in the second 
week in September a case is announced at Merida in the official Mexican 
health report. These statements show that Yellow fever has existed in the 
Yucatan province of Mexico, that province which is adjacent to British 
Honduras and with which there is considerable trade. As in the case of 
Vera Cruz, there has not been much direct trade between Progreso and 
Belize since 1903, when quarantine was established, but there is indirect 
intercourse. 
Payo-Obispo, on the north side of the mouth of the Hondo, is in 
Mexican territory, and although only three years old it appears to me to 
show signs of considerable vigour. It is the Mexican centre for developing 
the trade of the Hondo. There are some 300 inhabitants, a post and tele- 
graph office and good workshop for repairing the stern wheelers used on the 
river. The houses are good, and wooden vats and barrels are used ; there 
is no screening. Through Payo-Obispo pass the workmen on the way to 
Bacalar and settlements on the Hondo from Ascension Bay and other places 
in Mexico. They disembark on the Yucatan Coast at Xcalak, cross a small 
neck of land to a place called Aguada (in the Bay of Chetumal), and from 
thence across to Payo-Obispo. Payo-Obispo is thus in constant touch with 
other Mexican ports, and with ports, moreover, which have been severely 
visited by Yellow fever. Travellers from Progreso or from other ports in Mexico 
with foul bills of health can sail to Payo-Obispo either directly through the 
Cays and British waters, or may disembark at Xcalak and re-embark at 
Aguada and sail across to Payo-Obispo. From Payo-Obispo they can 
cross over to Corosal and from thence sail or steam to Belize. The 
indirect method of entering British territory emphasises the urgent necessity 
of most careful medical examination of all travellers entering Corosal or 
Payo-Obispo. 
GUATEMALA. 
The Ports of Livingston, Puerto Barrios, 'Santa Thomas, and 
Interior Towns of Zacapa and Gualan. 
Livingston in Guatemala is the first port after leaving British Honduras, 
and is about 17 miles from Punta Gorda. It is the chief town on 
the Iiast Coast of Guatemala, and is a large fruit port, the principal fruit, 
bananas, being brought down by river for shipment by the fruit steamers 
