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Rh From Arenal the main line will run almost due southward along the Rio Cuicatlan through a well-timbered region to Sedas (301 miles). Thence it will go to Oaxaca (350 miles).

The highest point of the route is 5,500 feet above the sea-level.

The city is the capital of the State of the same name, and it has recently received the surname of the illustrious Juarez. Señor Busto, the well-known statistician, calls it Oaxaca de Juarez. The word Oaxaca was formerly spelled Guaxaca, being derived from the Mexican name of the city and valley of Huaxyacac in the Tzapotec country. After the Conquest, Cortes received the title of Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca, and some of his descendants are still living in this State, under the family name of Monteleone.

Sugar-cane, maize, wheat, and barley grow in the vicinity.

The ruined palaces of Mitla lie about 25 miles east of Oaxaca. These ruins, except the teocallis, are the most accessible in Mexico. They are described in Chapter V in Part First.

Leaving the city of Oaxaca, the railway will run southward with a descending grade to Amatlan, Ejutla and Miahuatlan. The latter town is about 65 miles distant from Puerto Angel, the principal port of the State. The Pacific Mail steamers touch there. It is also about 420 miles distant from the national capital.

From Miahuatlan the road takes an easterly course over