44 
TRANSACTIONS OF THE TEXAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 
which, is often attacked by rot while still green. The papaw, Carica 
papaya, grows wild; also Colocasia, Bromelia pinguin, etc. There are 
occasional, often frequent, northers through the winter months, con- 
tinuing through March, and even April. They are usually accom- 
panied by rain. This immediate section is not so liable to untimely 
drought as some other parts of the coast country of this region. It may 
be stated that San Rafael is a French colony, on the north side of the 
Rio Nautla, and about a mile down the river from the town of Jicaltepec, 
which is situated a little further up, on the south bank of the river. 
On the whole the Rio Nautla insect fauna is decidedly tropical in its 
affinities; but from the fact of its possessing a considerable number of 
Neotemper ate types, it must come well within the limits of the Tamauli- 
pan fauna, which I have already defined as reaching from the neighbor- 
hood of the Nueces river in Texas south along the Mexican G-ulf coast, 
probably as far as the southern limits of the State of Yera Cruz beyond 
the Coatzocoalcos river. 
The mammals, birds, and reptiles of course all bear out, so far as 
could be noted, the decided tropical affinities of the fauna as indicated 
by the insects. The “noyaca,” large iguana, etc., are found here in this 
region. 
Characteristics of the Region between Jicaltepec (San Ra- 
fael) and Perote. — Martinez is about twenty miles by road from San 
Rafael, on the way to Perote. It is also on the Rio Nautla, elevation 
probably something like 400 .feet. When about half way to Martinez, 
the Rio Santa Maria de Martinez is crossed, which flows into the Rio 
Nautla. Its immediate vicinity shows a richer fauna and flora than the 
surrounding country. About twenty miles beyond Martinez is Tlapa- 
coyan, elevation probably about 1000 feet, situated at the foot of the 
mountains which rise into the table-land of Mexico. Its vicinity is rich 
in flora and fauna, as this district receives much more moisture than 
the much dryer coast region. Tezuitlan and Jalacingo are each about 
half way between Tlapacoyan and Perote,. but on different roads, the 
road by way of Jalacingo being shorter; by which route it is about forty 
miles from Tlapacoyan to Perote. The tropical vegetation extends up 
to about the 4000 feet contour line, Jalacingo being probably about 5500 
or 6000 feet, and Tezuitlan about 6500 or 7000 feet. Peaches bear in 
profusion at Jalacingo, and apples are grown at Tezuitlan. Not far 
above Tlapacoyan, at an elevation of about 3000 feet, the tree-fern re- 
gion is encountered, and extensive areas of high tree-ferns are passed on 
the road. The scenery, as the mountains are gradually ascended, is 
grand and beautiful in the extreme; and especially between Dos Caminos 
and Jalacingo, while threading the narrow trail through the damp trop- 
