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For farther particulars about this great canal, the reader is referred to Humboldt's Political Essay on the Kingdom of New Spain, Black's translation, vol. ii, pp. 75-112, from which the above abstract is taken. Humboldt also discusses the scheme of extending the canal from El Salto to Tampico, on the Gulf of Mexico. For many years this plan, although never undertaken, was considered practicable by the Mexicans.

It may be remarked that a canal of such length could be used for irrigation in the dry season, as well as for the transportation of merchandise by small craft. Of course a great many locks would be necessary, as the difference of level between Huehuetoca and Tampico is 7,400 feet. The tourist can obtain a hasty view of this great hydraulic work from the car-window, as the track is now laid through the cut (tajo) of Nochistongo. But, to examine the desague