86 
cement, or still better, by taking advantage of the prodigious 
quantity of asphaltum found in the environs of Alvarado, which 
the sea is continually casting on the banks of the Coatzacoal- 
cos. 
The alluvial soil, which extends from the foot of the Sierra 
as far as the lagoons, being for the greater part sand, might 
offer another obstacle, were it not that the observations which 
were made in two different points at a considerable distance 
from each other in the grounds of the Ventade Chicapa, show 
that at 13 feet from the surface, that is, at a much less depth 
than that required for the canal, there is found a very consis¬ 
tent clay upon which might be erected the re vestment walls 
and other necessary works. 
No less firm is the earth that w r as lately found on opening a 
well in the village of Juchitan at more than 36 feet from the 
surface. 
SECOND PROJECT. 
The second combination, undoubtedly easier and more econo¬ 
mical than the preceding, would be to direct to the Portillo 
of Tarifa, that part of the canal which goes towards the Paci¬ 
fic, and from thence along the brow of the hills to the east, 
join the canal to the river Chicapa, which would be made na¬ 
vigable as far as the plain. 
THIRD PROJECT. 
After having conveyed to the immediate neighbourhood of 
Tarifa the waters of the Ostuta and Chicapa, by the means 
shown in the first project, the next consideration would be to 
take advantage of the beds of the rivers, which from that point 
proceed towards both oceans, regularising their courses so as 
to make them navigable. The stream of Tarifa, and the 
rivers Chichihua and Malatengo, might be followed on the 
one side, and on the other the Monetza and the Chicapa. 
It would not always be possible or convenient to follow the 
windings of the rivers, but by carefully observing the ground 
considerable saving of labour might be effected in the work 
