1894 
Volcano of 
Tuxtla 
as guides, packers, and cook, Pour of the men carried each 10 gallons 
of water in coal oil oases and the others had the provisions, bedding, 
tent, etc. They set out on foot an hour or more ahead and then with 
the guides I went on to join the party on horseback. To the HE of San 
Andres lies the mountain, and the road lay most of the way in a nearly 
direct line for it. Leaving the town we ascended the steep slope bord¬ 
ering the valley on the north side here to about an altitude of 2200 ft. 
The slope then became much gentler and we had soon left behind the cul¬ 
tivated land and entered a fine stretch of virgin forest. 
Through this we continued for several miles until we came out on a 
long, narrow, grassy prairie which lies between 3300 ft. and 3600 ft. 
close to the base of the Volcano. Following this for a mile or two we 
swung sharply to the right and entered the forest again on a trail 
which led us up to the top of a ridge extending south-east from the 
volcano. W© camped on the extreme top of this ridge at an altitude of 
4400 feet. The vegetation of this ridge differs from that of the forest 
below and shows signs of being subjected to a much greater rainfall. The 
trees become stunted and slender near the top of the ridge and are every¬ 
where hung with moss, giving the woods a dreary appearance in the misty 
fog that settled down as we reached this point. It is about 9 miles 
from here to San Andres and at this point where we camped the road cut 
to the summit began. At once after our arrival the men put up the large 
shelter tent for me and then built a thatched shelter of palm leaves 
opposite for themselves. They were a goodnatured jolly crowd, laughing 
and evidently enjoying themselves. Before night came on I went out in 
t 
the woods and looked about to see what birds could be found. Turdus 
grayi and IJyadestes unioolor were common and singing everywhere despite 
the cold drizsle. Beyond these birds, scarcely any feathered creatures 
were found and no traces of mammals except signs of Geomys hispidus. a 
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