CHAPTER III.-Oajaca-Extent, Boundaries, Geology, Valley, Indians, Depart-

ments, Population, Mines, Ports, Productions, Cattle, Towns, Ancient remains-

Mitla-The palace-Tombs-Antiquarian speculations-connection of Mexican re-

mains-Quiotepec, or Cerro de las Juntas,

. . 210

CHAPTER IV.-Puebla-Divisions, productions, factories-River-Streams-Pu-

ebla de los Angeles-Cathedral-Towns-Mines-Quarries-Mountains-Popo-

catepetl Atlixco-Olivares-Ascent of the mountain-The crater-Elevation-

Pyramid of Cholula-Visit to the pyramid-Correct dimensions-Territory of

Tlascala-History-Position-Size-Productions-Towns,

220

CHAPTER V.—State of Mexico-Area, Divisions, Population, Federal district,

Valley, Highways, Lakes-Zumpango-Cristovol—Chalco-Xochimilco—Tezco-

co-Salt-works-Cities-San Augustin-Festival-Tezcoco, Tacuba, Toluca Cas-

cade of Regla-Towns-Valley of Cuernavaca-Acapantzingo-Its Indian isola-

tion-Mines in the state,

233

CHAPTER VI.-Description of the city of Mexico-Cathedral-Its architecture

and riches-The Palace, University, Market, Chamber of Deputies, etc.-Portales

-Mineria-La Merced-San Domingo-Characters and costumes-Paseos-Ala-

meda—Aqueducts-Passeo Nuevo and de la Viga-Alameda-Description of it—

Life in Mexico-Theatres-Opera-Domestic life-Genuine but cautious hospi-

tality-Legend of the virgin of Guadalupe, .

.

244

CHAPTER VII.-Antiquities in the museum-Statue of Charles IV.-Condition
of the museum-Feathered serpents-Vieeroy's portraits-Cortéz-Portrait-Ar-
mor-Pedro de Alvarado-Images-Vases-Tezcoco-Palace-Trough-Massive
mounds-Tescocingo-Hill-Its ancient adornments-Ancient bellevue and res-
ervoir-Tezcocan splendor-Bosque del Contador-Ponds-Lakes-Arbors-Py-
ramids of Teotihuacan-Houses of sun and moon-Path of the dead-Carved
pillar-Pillar at Otumba-Pyramid of Xochicalco-Hill of Xochicalco—Its struc-
tures,
266

CHAPTER VIII.-State of Mechoacan-Boundaries-Elevations-Volcano of Jo-

rullo-Theories of Humboldt and Lyell-Present condition-Rivers of Mechoa-

can-Climate, Health, Indians, Departments, Agriculture, Towns, Mines-Jalisco

-Boundaries, Population, Rivers, Lakes, Divisions, Manufactures, Agriculture,

Factories-Guadalajara—Towns—San Juan de los Lagos-Tepic-San Blas-

Mines, Islands, Mining region, Indians, Character and Habits, Church and
School, Education, Bishopric-Territory of Colima-Extent, Climate, Produc-
tions, Towns,

286

CHAPTER IX.-Sinaloa-Boundaries, Climate, Divisions, Indians, Products,

Towns, Mines-Sonora-Boundaries, Divisions, Rivers, Climate, Indians, Trade,

Towns, Mines-Territory of Lower California-Boundaries, Character, Popula-

tion, Products, Pearls, Salt, Mines, Seals, Whales, Climate, Ports, towns, Popu-

lation-State of Guerrero,

298

CHAPTER X.-State of Querétaro-Boundaries, Divisions, Characteristics,

Rivers, Population and climate, Districts, etc., Agricultural products, Forests,

Factories, Cities, Mines-State of Guanajuato-Boundaries, Extent, Soil-Lake

Yurirapundaro-Climate, Effect of maladies-Productions, Vine, Olive-Divisions

-Population-City of Guanajuato-Towns in the state-Hacienda of Jaral—

Mines Silver, Copper, Lead, Cinnabar-Zacatecas-Boundaries, Extent, Agricul

ture, Divisions, Population, Towns-Zacatecas-Aguas Calientes, etc.-Product

and value of Zacatecan mines-Ruins of Quemada in Zacatecas,

306

CHAPTER XI.—State of San Luis Potosi-Boundaries, Lakes, Rivers, Climate,
Departments, Products-San Luis-Towns-Mining region-New Leon-Boun-
daries, Character, Rivers, Climate, Departments-Agriculture-Grazing, etc.-

Monterey-Coahuila-Boundary, Position, Climate, Productions, Towns-State

of Durango-Boundary, Character, Divisions, Streams, Productions-City of Du-

rango-Towns, Mines, Iron, Silver-Indian necrology-Cave burial, . . 324

CHAPTER XII.-State of Chihuahua-Position, Boundaries, Extent, Character-

istics, Rivers, Lakes, Indians, Divisions, Climate, Productions-Cattle estates-

Mint-Mines-Principal towns-Chihuahua-El Paso del Norte-Military impor-

tance-El Paso wine, etc.-Antiquities-Indian ravages-The Bolson de Mapimi

-Mexican modes of travelling and transportation-Litera—Mules—Arrieros—

Conducta-Coaches-Freight wagons-Mexican habit of Home-staying-want of

exploration-Modern advancement,

. 334

APPENDIX No. 1-Profile of the Plateau-Mexico to Santa Fé-Santa Fé to the

Gulf,
346.

347

APPENDIX No. 2-Mexican Coins, Weights and Measures,

BOOK VI.

TERRITORY OF NEW MEXICO.-Exploration of the far west-Long, Nicol-

let, Frémont-Santa Fé trade-First adventurers-Caravans-New Mexico erected

by Congress into a territory-Geological structure of New Mexico—The Rio

Grande-Its value-Soil-Products-Irrigation-Cattle-Indians-Mines-Gold-

Silver-Copper-Iron-Gypsum-Salt-Climate-Pueblo Indians-Wild Indians

enumerated-Number of Pueblo Indians-Census-Proximate present population—

Character of people and government-Santa Fé-Alburquerque—Valley of Toas—

Statistics of Santa Fé trade, etc.-Itinerary from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fé

and El Paso,

. . 351

STATE OF CALIFORNIA.-Title to the region-Missionary settlement, its pur-

poses-Character of California-Secularization of missions-Population in mis-

sions-Agricultural statistics-Cattle-Hides-Tallow-Herdsmen-Trade-The

war-Condition of California at its close-Progress of settlement and law-Con-

stitution adopted-Admission as a state-Former boundaries-The great Basin-

Utah-Great Salt Lake-Pyramid lake-Rivers-Present state boundaries-Area-

Geography-Sacramento-San Joaquin-Shastl peak, .

367

STATE OF CALIFORNIA CONTINUED.-Configuration of the state-Bay of

San Francisco and city-Rivers of California-Character of soil, etc.-Relative

sterility and productiveness-Climate-Dry and wet seasons-Causes of change-

Climate in San Francisco, coast range valleys and interior valley-Area of arable

and grazing land-Productions-Discovery of gold-Its position-The placeres—

Washing-Digging-The Mines-Calculations as to the yield of the mines-Gold

yielded by California-Its quality-Quicksilver mines-Commerce-Population-

Growth of cities-Old presidios-Towns-Land titles-Mission lands-Con-

clusion,

APPENDIX.-Meteorological Observations in California,

378

398

BOOK IV.

GEOLOGICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL STRUCTURE OF

MEXICO-POLITICAL DIVISIONS-POPULATION;

PRODUCTIONS-MINES-AGRICULTURE; MANUFACTURES-COMMERCE-FINANCES-ARMY;

NAVY-CHURCH-CONSTITUTION AND LAWS;
NATIONAL CONDITION.

GEOLOGICAL AND

BOOK IV.

CHAPTER I.

GEOGRAPHICAL STRUCTURE OF MEXICO

EXTENT.

ABSENCE OF ACCURACY

HUMBOLDT.

MEXICAN TERRITORY.

SUPERFICIAL EXTENT OF PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF MEXICO

VOLCANIC MOUNTAINS-CLIMATES TIERRAS TEMPLADAS, CALIENTES, FRIAS. POLITICAL DIVISIONS AND BOUNDARIES OF MEXICO. -OLD SPANISH DIVISIONS

PROVINCES

INTENDEN

CIES

STATES

DEPARTMENTS.

NORTH BOUNDARY PRES

ENT STATES AND TERRITORIES.-RIVERS OF MEXICO. RIVERS AND LAKES OF MEXICO.

It is unfortunate that, notwithstanding the rich mineralogical and agricultural character of Mexico, no thoroughly accurate survey or geological examination has ever been made of the whole country. There is no complete map of the territory which may be confidently relied on. The enterprise of developing Mexico, since the foundation of the colonial government by Spain has been almost entirely abandoned to private enterprise, and, consequently the valuable information, collected by individuals, either perished in their hands after it had been used for their own benefit, or, if imparted to the government, has never been united and collated with other accounts and reconnoissances which were in the hands of national authorities. A great deal was done by Baron Alexander Humboldt, during his visit to New Spain early in this century, towards gathering the geographical, geological and statistical information which was then in existence, though scattered, far and wide, over the viceroyalty, in a thousand different hands. voluminous work is an enduring monument to his industry and talent; but there is necessarily a great deal of it that was altogether transitory in its character both on account of the political and social revolution which has since occurred, and in consequence of the opening, by the republic, of Mexican ports to the commerce of the world.

His

Nevertheless, at the period of Humboldt's visit, the main bold geographical and geological features of Mexico were sufficiently well known for practical purposes, and as his descriptions have, in

B