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224 over the sheets of his bed. The principal restaurant is the Fonda de la Bella Union, about half a block east of the plaza. The inhabitants of the town are very polite to strangers. Travelers should, if possible, procure letters of recommendation to residents in the neighboring villages which they intend to visit. The prefect of police will send an escort of soldiers to Jorullo, or any other place in his district, if asked. The expense of the escort will be nothing, but a small gratuity should be given to the sergeant in command. The environs of Ario are very fertile, and many excellent farms that produce rice, sugar-cane, pepper, fruit, etc., may be easily visited. Fine horses and cattle are also reared. The climate of Ario is temperate and very healthful. The town is, however, a sort of "jumping-off" place. The land on the south and southwest of Ario descends rapidly, and a few hours' journey brings one into the "hot country."

A Mexican writer has named it "the mouth of the tierra caliente.” The inhabitants feel the want of a wagon-road that would facilitate transportation of the valuable staple products to the State of Guerrero or to some of the ports on the Pacific.

Excursions may be taken to Tacambaro, 20 miles to the eastward, or to Uruapan on the west. The former town produces much sugar and rum. The latter place has been described on page 217.

Leaving Ario, the road leads to La Playa, at the base of the famous volcano of Jorullo, about 24 miles distant. We notice several haciendas, and some groves of pine and oak along the route. The country is gently rolling for several leagues. After traversing a forest, the path becomes narrow and uneven. Suddenly it descends rapidly over rocky ground to a small hacienda.

The road is paved with cobble-stones for some distance, and the hamlet of Tejamanil is soon reached. The