68 DOTTINGS ON THE ROADSIDE. [Chap. V.—B. S. 
hot to make it unpleasant to put one’s hand in, we set 
out for the Limon Mine, which enjoys in Nicaragua 
the same reputation as a silver mine, as the Javali 
does as a gold mine. Before we reached Puntalito, 
the nearest farm, we were twelve hours in the saddle, 
riding hard all the time. After travelling about a 
league we passed the village of Mosonti, and then 
entered the valleys of Achuapa and Arrayan, the 
latter deriving its name from a myrtaceous plant with 
edible fruit and antidysenteric root. Crossing some 
high mountains, we came to a large grassy plain, call¬ 
ing at the farms of Santa Clara, La Punta, San Nico¬ 
las, and Santa Barbara, where oranges, sugar cane, 
cotfee, and two kinds of sapotas were noticed. On 
this plain, which is pleasantly varied by clumps of 
magnificent pine and oak trees, is invaluable for sheep- 
runs, and enjoys a delightful climate, the Limon Mine 
is situated. This mine has been worked till a rather 
recent date, but had to be abandoned because the 
natives were unable to get the upper hand of the 
water. It is impossible to form any just estimate 
of its value until in the first instance the water is 
got rid of, which, as the mine is situated in a deep 
quebrada, would be a troublesome task. In the lode 
cropping out on the surface no trace of silver could 
be seen. Having examined the Quintin, and several 
other abandoned mines near the Limon, all of which 
could not find the right direction of any lode. It appears that the 
workings are on small veins, as no lode can be seen. 
“ Santa Rosa Mine .—This mine is situated about one mile south of 
Las Animas. Three shafts have been sunk, the lowest being a diagonal 
one. But we could not find any lode or vein whatever.”—J. Holman. 
