91 
“ The trench, intended to convey to Tarifa the united waters 
of the Ostuta and the Chicapa, would be about 15 miles in 
length, and we will give to the section of its excavations 430 
superficial feet front. According to what is actually paid 
in Mexico and the United States for a similar work in soils 
analagous to that of the Isthmus, its total cost will be about 
£400,000. 
“ The trench necessary to join the Ostuta to the Chicapa might 
be 3 miles in length at the utmost, and allowing for unfore¬ 
seen obstacles in this part of the country on account of the na¬ 
ture of its rocks, we will suppose it to cost £120,000. 
“ Lastly, let us apply £160,000 more to regulate the course 
of the Coatzacoalcos and to excavate the lakes and the Boca 
Barra. 
“ Then, summing up the preceding calculations, the total 
amount of the work will be found to consist of the following 
sums: 
Cost of 150 locks at £8000 .£1,200,000 
,, 50 miles of canal at £30,000 . 1,500,000 
„ 15 miles of trench. 400,000 
„ 3 miles of trench . 120,000 
Regulation of the Coatzacoalcos lakes, and Boca Barra . 160,000 
Total cost . . . £3,380,000 
Sr. Moro here adds some important observations to the pre¬ 
ceding estimates which we quote in his own words:— 
“ I said at the commencement that it was my intention to 
“ exaggerate the cost, and it cannot be objected that this pro- 
“ mise has not been fulfilled in the preceding calculations; for 
“ not only have I laid aside the real advantages which the na- 
<e ture of the ground offers to the execution of the work, by 
“ adopting the least favourable project, but I have also fixed 
“ prices, certainly exaggerated, and by no means probable. 
“ 1. The ravines, which from the neighbourhood of Tarifa 
“ convey the waters of some torrent streams to join the river 
“ Monetza, and with it enter the valley of San Miguel, would 
“ decrease the work at the point of distribution. 
“ 2. I have calculated as having to open the whole of the 
“ canal, whilst, as we have seen, advantage might be taken 
