cultivate maize and a variety of fruits. Dates, figs, &c., are preserved, some wine is also made, and a kind of spirit is distilled from the muscat; these form articles of export. Cattle are very numerous, and feed in part on the leaves of the Moscheto, a species of acacia. Wolves, foxes, deer, goats, several lizards and scorpions are among the wild animals. The pearl fisheries in the Gulf of California are very extensive, but have caused a great sacrifice of life in prosecuting them; 600 divers were formerly employed in this perilous business, but at the present time only 16 or 17 small vessels are engaged.

Pearls, tortoise shell, a few hides, dried fruits, dried beef, cheese, soap, &c., constitute all the exports of Lower California, which are mostly sent to San Blas, Mazatlan and Guayamas in small coasting vessels. The imports are provisions, clothing, agriculture and domestic utensils, supplies for the ceremonies of the church, and a small amount of the ordinary luxuries of life.

LORETTO, a small town about the centre of the peninsula, is the capital and seat of the governor, who is appointed by the federal executive, and in general belongs to the military. Population, 900 or thereabouts. LA PAZ, at the southern extremity of the peninsula, is another small town. Others, chiefly about the missions, exist, but are of little importance, and are peopled only by Indians who have become partly civilized.

The peninsula of California was discovered by Hernandez de Grijalva, in 1534, but no settlements were made until the latter part of the next century, when some Jesuits established themselves here with the view of converting the Indians. The exertions of these pious fathers were of little avail; and the Indians of the present day, though nominally converted to Christianity, are little removed from the barbarous state in which the holy fraternity found them. Loretto and the other towns were all founded by the Jesuits.

THE STATES OF CENTRAL AMERICA.

THIS country, formerly the Captaincy-General of Guatemala, is situated immediately south and east of the Mexican Republic, and occupies, with little exception, the whole of the long and narrow tract connecting the two continents. It lies between 8° 50′ and 16° 50′ north latitude, and 80° 50′ and 94° 12′ west longitude from Greenwich. The Mexican states of Tabasco and Yucatan, and the Bay of Honduras, bound it on the north; the Caribbean Sea and the territories of Mosquitia, on the east; the New-Grenadian provinces of the Isthmus on the south-east, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. The length of the country, from north-west to south-east, is about 1,200 miles, and its breadth varies from 90 to 250 miles, and the area may be estimated at 196,000 square miles.

The political condition of this country has been very unsettled since the expulsion of the Spaniards in 1822; and the states composing the confederacy were so hampered by federal restrictions, that a virtual separation took place in 1839, and was carried into effect by actual declaration in the

year 1846, since which period they have existed as five separate republics. The extent, population and capitals, of each, are:

The above table has no pretensions to accuracy; no general census having been taken since the declaration of independence. In the population of Honduras has been included that of the Mosquito Shore. In fact, there is no means of ascertaining the real condition of this country, that can be depended upon, and, as a consequence, we are obliged to give but a general outline.

The physical geography of Central America has many peculiarities. No very distinct mountain chain traverses the country, but an elevated plateau occupies the central parts, forming a kind of chain of communication between the Cordilleras of South America and the mountain-chains of Mexico. This plateau rises much more precipitously from the Pacific than from the Atlantic side, the general slope of the country being to the northeast. The table-land rises also considerably as it proceeds north-west: in Costa Rica and Nicaragua its highest parts are of very moderate elevation; and the Lake of Nicaragua, situated on a plain bounded by hills of no great height, is less than 134 feet above the level of the Pacific. In the state of Guatemala, the table-land averages perhaps 5,000 feet above the level, the loftiest summits, which are either active or extinct volcanoes, being in that republic. The water-volcano, near Guatemala, so called from its frequently emitting torrents of hot water and stones, but never fire, is 12,620 feet above the Pacific.

There are two large plains-those of Nicaragua and Comayagua, besides. many of lesser size, on the banks of the larger rivers and along the shores ; these principally consist of extensive savannas, with rich pasturage, interspersed with clumps of trees.

All the larger rivers of Central America flow north-east and east, the proximity of the high mountain range to the Pacific permitting but a short course to those flowing west. The chief are the Montagua, Polochie, Rio de Segovia, the San Juan, connecting the Lake of Nicaragua with the Atlantic, &c.; the banks of most of these are richly wooded. The Montagua is of considerable size, and useful for the conveyance of European goods into the interior of Guatemala.

The Lake Nicaragua is by far the most important body of water in Central America, and will probably form an important part of the projected water-communication between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. (For further details, see article North-America, p. 19.) The other principal lakes are the Golfo Dolce, 24 miles long by 10 broad, which receives several rivers, and discharges itself by the Rio Dolce into the Bay of Honduras; Lake Leon or Managua, which communicates with that of Nicaragua; and Lakes Peten, Atitan, Amatitan, &c.

Central America possesses an advantage over Mexico, in having excellent harbors on both seas; its coasts are indented by deep and capacious

bays, as those of San Juan and Chiriqui, on the Caribbean Sea, and of Nicoya, Papago, and Conchagua, on the Pacific. A few islands surround the shores, and a number of small cayos, (low, green islets,) skirt the eastern coast, rendering navigation, from their similarity to each other, alike difficult and dangerous to shipping, except guided by an experienced pilot.

The climate of Central America is much similar to that of all tropical countries; the lowlands about the coasts are unhealthy, and fevers prevail to a great extent. The shores, however, are generally peopled by the Indian tribes, whose constitutions are more able to resist these climatic effects than those of the Europeans. The temperature of the table-land varies, according to its elevation; but an equable, moderate and agreeable temperature may be obtained there all the year round, with a perfectly healthy climate. The dry season lasts from October to the end of May, during which the north winds prevail; and in the table-lands, in November and December, water exposed to the open air at night, is sometimes, but rarely, covered with a thin pellicle of ice. The rest of the year is entitled the wet season; but the rains, though heavy, last only during the night, and the days are fair and cloudless. Earthquakes are very frequent. Goitre is a very common disease in Central America.

The country is rich in mineral products. The precious metals are found in great abundance in Honduras, Costa Rica, and other states; with copper, iron, lead, nickel, tin, antimony, &c.

But the vegetable productions are of far greater importance. The forests yield many valuable kinds of timber, including mahogany, cedar, Palo de Maria, a species of wood well-adapted to ship-building, &c. But the logwood tree, (hæmatoxylon campechianum,) is by far the most valuable of the products of the forests. It is an important article of export, as well as a species of Brazil-wood, found in these regions. Among other vegetable products, may be enumerated the dragon's blood, mastic, Palma Christi, and other balsamic, aromatic and medicinal plants; with sugar-cane, cocoa, indigo, coffee, tobacco, and cotton, which are extensively cultivated. The crops vary with the elevation. Between the heights of 3,000 or 5,000 feet the nopal, or cochineal-plant, is a favorite object of cultivation, particularly in the neighborhood of Guatemala. Maize is generally grown, but wheat only in the high table-lands in the north; it is almost unknown in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Flax and hemp, though well-suited to the climate, are neglected, and vanilla runs to waste for want of hands to gather and prepare it. Tamarinds, cassia, long pepper, ginger, &c., though little known to the commerce of the country, are abundant. A fruit, called chicozapote, yielding a great deal of substantial nourishment, supplies the place of maize, and forms a principal article in the traffic of some provinces.

Horses, asses, sheep, goats and hogs, having been introduced by the Spaniards, are now found in great abundance. Immense herds of cattle graze on the plains of Nicaragua, and Costa Rica carries on a large trade in these animals. The horses are inferior, but the mules are superior to those of other Indo-Spanish countries.

The wild animals comprise the American tiger, wolf, tapir, mountaincow, wild goat, wild striped boar, flying squirrel, the zorillo, noted for its fetid odor, &c. Few of them are very formidable; but the densely wooded coasts of the Pacific are much infested by dangerous reptiles, including the

cayman and several venomous serpents. The birds exhibit the most beautiful and varied plumage. Locusts and the warrior-ant are very mischievous, and often create great devastation; the latter will enter house after house, clearing them, however, of all other vermin. The pearl oyster is found on the coast.

The foreign commerce, though considerable, is small compared with what a little energy might make it. The principal exports are the precious metals, indigo, cochineal, dye-woods, sarsaparilla, balsam of Deru, hides, tortoise-shell, &c. The imports are cotton, linen and silk fabrics, hardware and cutlery; earthenware, wines, trinkets, &c. The trade is principally in the hands of the English and Americans; but being mostly carried on through Balize, its amount cannot be exactly specified. The principal ports on the Pacific are-Realejo, Calderas, La Union, Libertad, Acajutla, and Istapa. Those on the Caribbean Sea-Omoa, Truxillo and San Juan de Nicaragua, the two last being within the reputed territories of the king of Mosquitia.

Agriculture, and cattle and sheep breeding are the chief occupations of the people; but the manufactures are not unimportant. They produce some of their own cotton and woollen fabrics, and a good many hands are employed in manufacturing earthenware, furniture, cabinet work, &c.; and the Indians of the interior are proficients in making mats which are used in place of carpets.

The gold mines of Central America are not unworthy of notice. From the mine called Tisingal, in Costa Rica, says Alcedo, "not less riches have been extracted than from that of Potosi, in Bolivia." That state has also the gold mine of Aguacate, which was first wrought in 1821. Several companies have been formed at various times to work this and other mines, and the government have long been endeavoring to induce capitalists to work the silver mines of Comayagua, in Honduras; those of Chiquimula have been profitably explored, and it has been ascertained that each hundred weight of ore yields 17 marcs 63 oz. (the marc is 8 oz.,) of silver. Many other mines, worked chiefly by English houses at Balize, are exceedingly productive, and when fully opened, will no doubt substantiate the assertion of Alcedo in respect to the mines of Tisingal.

The several states into which Central America is now divided, have republican forms of government, chiefly based on the constitution of the United States of America, as was also the constitution of the Confederacy. Each has a President, Vice President, Senate and House of Representatives. The judiciaries are also somewhat similar to those of the United States. But the elections take place through electoral colleges, as was formerly the case in France. Since the separation, however, it is impossible to conjecture the actual state of things, or the relative powers of the different political agencies. In some states the governments are republican only in name, as in Nicaragua, where the executive assumes dictatorial powers. In fact, to judge from the general complexion of the Indo-Spanish institutions of America, little faith can be placed in their action; it is one thing to profess but another to accord with the professions, as is daily illustrated in the actions of the despots who have ridden rough-shod over the rights of humanity. The cities, towns and villages have separate municipalities, and annually elect their alcaldes and other officers. In the State of Guatemala the Spanish laws have been entirely abolished, and a code, compiled by Mr. Livingston of the United States, substituted in its stead.

The Roman Catholic is the only religion of the state, but in some measure all other religions are tolerated. The Archbishop of Guatemala is primate; there are three bishops, those of Leon, Comayagua and Ciudad Real; and the whole country is divided into about 300 parishes, each having a curate with an income of about $1,500 a year. Monachism and personal slavery are entirely abolished, and the few nunneries which still exist are not allowed to keep their victims against their will. Education of an elementary sort is open to all, but little progress has been made in literature or the fine arts. Reading, writing and arithmetic are the principal departments taught, but instruction in the Catholic religion always goes along with these.

The population is about 2,000,000, and is divided into four grand classes, of Indians, whites, blacks and ladinos, the latter an intermixture of the Spanish and Indian races and a few mulattoes. The relative numbers of these are, Indians, 685,000; whites, 475,000; ladinos, 760,000. The number of blacks and mulattoes is inconsiderable. The constitutions of the зeveral states grant equal rights and privileges to all. The Indians of Guatemala preserve their ancient language and customs, but in the other republics a Castilian patois obtains. The principal occupation of the people is agriculture; some, however, are employed in the factories and mines. They live harmoniously with the whites, but they hate inveterately the ladinos. The Indians are now the ruling race; Carrera, the last president of Guatemala, was a pure Indian, wild from the woods, but a man of genius, and much attached to study and the acquisition of civilized manners. He was a self-made man-the offspring of a revolt.

The principal cities are:-in the State of Guatemala, the city of the same name, once capital of the confederacy, but now the seat of the state government. It is situated on an undulating plain, 4,961 feet above the level of the sea, and at the distance of 26 leagues from the Pacific Ocean, in latitude 14° 37′ N., and 90° 30′ W. longitude, It is a well built town of 40,000 inhabitants, and is the see of the primate. OLD GUATEMALA (La Antigua Guatemala, or Santiago de los Cabilleros de Guatemala,) is also a fine town amidst ruins, in a delightful valley, eight leagues south-west of the new city. It is a place of favorite resort, and contains between 12 and 18,000 inhabitants. It has been several times destroyed by earthquakes. and volcanic eruptions, and has been abandoned as the capital since the fatal earthquake of 1773. TOTONICAPAN has a population of 12,000; QUESALTENANGO, 14,000; COBAN, in Vera Paz, 14,000; SALAMA, on the POLOCHIE, 5,000; and IZABAL, a village of about forty huts, three houses and court house, on the southern shore of the Golfo Dulce. The greatest part of the export and import trade of the district is carried on by the port of Izabal and by that of Omoa, on the left of the entrance of the gulf.

The cities of Costa Rica are:-San José, Cartago, Esparsa, Alajuela, Eredia, Estrella, &c.

Those of Nicaragua are:-Leon, Grenada, and Nueva Segovia. Those of Honduras are:-Comayagua, Tegusigalpa, Gracias, San Pedro, Sulaco, Olancho, Sonaguera, and Trujillo or Truxillo.

And, those of San Salvador are:-San Salvador, Libertad, San Vicente, San Miguel, Santa Ana, and Sonsonate. San Salvador was formerly the seat of the late general government, in the federal district, which at that time formed a circle round the city twenty miles in diameter, with a further extension of 10 miles towards the south, so as to include the road-stead of Libertad, on the Pacific.