THE BATOPILAS DISTRICT. 319 
four square miles, and should any new 
railway running near by justify further 
research, it could probably be made five 
thousand without much trouble. 
The history of the big Batopilas Min¬ 
ing Company, about the center of the 
district I have spoken of, and which 
stands head and shoulders above all the 
surrounding mining companies, is a fair 
example of all in this part of the coun¬ 
try where my travels were cast. 
Batopilas, or Real de San Pedro de 
Batopilas, as it was originally named, is 
said to have been discovered in October, 
1632. Like Urique, its discovery is to be 
ascribed to the “ adelantados ” sent out 
shortly after the conquest to explore the 
country and enlarge the possessions of 
Spain. It is surmised that the rich min¬ 
eral finds made near the capital, and 
