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294 course of the Rio Salado for several leagues to Arenal, where the Salado and Cuicatlan Rivers unite and form the Rio Quiotepec.

Arenal is 237 miles from the capital. Three bridges will be erected in the vicinity. A branch line is in process of construction from Anton Lizardo, on the Gulf of

Mexico, toward ''Arenal, via Amapa and Tuxtepec. Anton Lizardo is 142 miles from Arenal'' junction. The former town is the only good port on the Gulf coast. The harbor has recently been improved. The eastern division of the Mexican Southern Railroad will be extended to Vera Cruz, 23 miles distant. The merchants in that city are very jealous of this railway. They foresee that it will eventually divert the foreign commerce to Anton Lizardo.

But little artificial grading will be required on the eastern division, and the heaviest grade, according to the surveys, is seventy-two feet to the mile.