Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/82

60 The province of Chiapa abounds in pine and cypress woods and cedar and walnut trees; others also flourish, from which are derived liquid amber, copal, tacomaca balsams, and aromatic gums. Maize and cochineal also flourish in abundance; together with pigs and beautiful birds, sheep and snakes, gloats and horses, leopards and wild boars. The city of Chiapa contains a cathedral and a monastery: but it has been for many years in a declining state, notwithstanding.

Vera Paz is a rugged and broken, but very fertile region. It is subject to awful tempests of thunder and lightning, winds and earthquakes. Amber, gum-trees, and immense canes, together with fine fruits, may be met with in abundance everywhere; and many wild animals—tigers, bears, serpents, wild-boars, monkeys, porcupines, squirrels and cats, with eagles, sea-crows, bitterns, storks, humming-birds, and parrots, may be observed constantly ranging the wilderness woods, or bounding over the thirsty plains, in every season of the year.

I have thus briefly characterized the principal towns, cities, and provinces, of the Republic. An exceedingly great proportion of