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148 The tourist will not only have time to see the city, but can also visit the wonderful caves of Matanzas and the valley of Yumuri, distant two hours by rail. (For a full description of Cuba and the West Indies, see Appletons' Hand-Book of Winter Resorts. )

From Havana the steamer proceeds to Progreso, in Yucatan, arriving there in about thirty-six hours, and stopping about twenty-four hours. The traveler can now disembark in a small boat, and set foot on Mexican soil. Progreso is the seaport of the city of Merida, twenty-two miles distant. There is no hotel accommodation in Progreso, but the American consul can assist the tourist in securing lodgings. The town is well laid out, and has straight and broad streets. Tourists will be interested in the scenes of the fruit and vegetable markets on the plaza. The houses are usually of one story, and are built of mortar, with thatched roofs.

Indians constitute the greater part of the population, which amounts to 1,900 inhabitants. Much hemp, rice, and maize are grown in Northern Yucatan. Upward of 90,000 bales of hemp are sent to the United States annually. Cacti and cocoa-palms are found in great abundance near Progreso. The tourist may have the opportunity of bathing in the warm surf before leaving town.

A railroad has recently been completed to the city of Merida (fares, first class, $1; second class, 75 cents). This is the capital of the State of Yucatan, and has about 32,000 inhabitants. It is built on the site of the ancient Maya