Lakes and The principal lakes of Mexico, none of which are large, are Cha Pala, in Jalisco, a beautiful body of water some 51 miles long and 18 miles wide, the shores of which have become a favorite summer resort for wealthy residents of Mexico City, Guada lajara and other parts of the republic; Patz cuaro (in Michoacan), around which there clusters a wealth of historic, artistic and poetic interest; Cuitzeo, in the same state; Chalco, Xochimilco and k'excoco, in the Federal Dis trict and state of Mexico; Tepancuapan, in Chiapas; Tequesquitongo, Coatelolco and Hueyapan, in Morelos; Catemaco, in Vera Cruz; Caivel and Carpintero, in Tamaulipas; Encantado, in Tabasco; Bacular, in Yucatan; and Uriria, in Guanajuato. The principal la goons are the Terminos, in Jalisco and Michoa can; Tamiahua, in Vera Cruz; Madre in Ta maulipas; Mezcaltitlan, in Tepic; Coyutlan, in Colima; Tecpan and Coyuya, in Guerrero; Superior and Inferior in Oaxaca ; Paras, Coyote and Agua Verde, in Coahuila; Guzman, Jaco, Patos and Santa Maria in Chihuahua; Xalto can, San Christobal, Zumpango and Lerma in the state of Mexico; Meztitlan and Apan, in Hidalgo, and Santa Ana, in Tabasco. There are numerous other smaller lakes and lagoons in the republic, which are of much local im portance, but which do not appear on the ordi nary maps.
Valleys.— The principal valleys of the re public are those of Toluca, Mexico, Cuerna vaca, Puebla, Oaxaca, San Francisco and Orizaba, all of which are extremely rich in soil and most favorably situated as to climate and other conditions affecting their products, which include very nearly every article grown in other parts of the American continent.
Climate.— The chief natural glory of Mex ico is its climate, which, though not as invigor ating as that of some other countries, is one of the most delightful in the world. In few localities is there ever intense cold or in tolerable heat. It is seldom that death results from freezing, and sunstroke is practically un known. In the tierra caliente or hot country, the temperature varies from 77° to 82° Fahr., in the shade, while on the central plateau, which includes the capital city, it is much cooler in summer and warmer in winter than in the United States. In Mexico City the maximum summer temperature in the shade is 85°, acid winter temperature 72°• in Puebla, 84' and 75° ; in Oaxaca, 94° and 83° ; in Jalapa, 84" and 87'; in Queretaro, 90° and 80° • in Guam juato, 91° and 82° • in Pachuca, 80° and 77'; in Saltillo, °89 and 76° ; in Merida, 103° and 92° • in Mazatlan 91° and 84°. The average night temperature in Mexico City from June to October is about 55°. The wannest months of the year in that city are April and May, the last two months preceding the beginning of the rainy season, which there extends from June to November. In the regions near the gulfs and the Pacific Ocean, the rains are much heavier and more frequent, and begin earlier and end later. The average rainfall on the coasts is 44 inches and on the table-lands 24 inches. In Mexico there are but two seasons — the rainy, or summer, and the dry, or winter. The tem peratures of the spring and autumn months differ very slightly, and the seasons merge into each other quite imperceptibly. The nights are always cool, except in the hot country, where they are seldom uncomfortable, the gulf and Pacific breezes compensating for the heat of the day. There are no radical or sudden changes of temperature; no prolonged term at heat or cold or storm; and on the table-lands all seasons are so nearly alike that most per sons wear clothing of the same weight all the year. Except in the northern states, artificial heat is seldom provided, either in homes or i places of business, even in mid-winter.
In few other countries is to be found such diversity of climate as in Mexico, whose west coast extends across 18 parallels of latitude, and where the altitudes of the towns and cities range all the way from 26 feet above the sea at Vera Cruz, to 8,760 at Toluca, each phtean or step in the ascent illustrating in its fnits foliage and flowers the influence of every climatic phase and condition. The white peaks of Orizaba, Popocatepetl and Ixtaccihuatl look down upon a broad panorama of indescribable beauty to be seen only in this land of perpetual spring. The summer rains on the upper plateaus intensify the green of the verdure, in crease the number and beauty of the flowers develop the fruits, sweeten the atmosphere, and drive away disease. The sun's rays, being al ways perpendicular, in the middle of the chg are very intense. In the shade, however, it is never uncomfortable.
Flora and physical tion of Mexico is most favorable to the develop ment of a wonderfully rich and varied eco nomic flora. In the hot lands or coast regions from the sea-level to an altitude of 1,500 or 2,000 feet, cocoanuts, cacao, vanilla, nutmegs, ginger, cloves and other spices am, all the fruits of tropical countries are success fully and profitably grown; while sugar cane.
coffee, rice, cotton, tobacco, hemp, oranges lemons, limes, bananas, mangoes, apples. peaches, papayas, pears, plums, figs, cherries, grapes, zapotes, pineapples, mameys, pome granates, yams, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoe. most of the edible roots, and in fact about al the varieties of fruits and vegetables grown any where are found and successfully cultivated la altitudes up to and including the valley of Mexico, 7,500 feet above the sea. Wheat, cora and most of the grains of commerce produce crops in some of the states, twice or three times in a year —notably in Vera Cruz, Tabasco, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Michoa can, Jalisco, Mexico, fifty-two species of cereals and vegetables, 87 of fruits, 100 of odoriferous flowers, 56 of building woods, 21 of cabinet woods, 8 of gums, 3 of resins, 12 of forages and 113 of medicinal plants, reach a high degree of perfection in Mexico. Flowers of almost innumerable varieties, from the gorgeous orchid of quaint and curious form and wonderful combination of colors, to the modest daisy, violet and tuberose, grow wild, in extravagant profusion, all the year round, the range of altitudes meeting the requirements of all the members of the floral kingdom The flower markets of Mexico City, which are chiefly supplied from the chinampas (gardens in the bed of the half-drained lakes of the neigh borhood), are among the objects of interest most enjoyed by the visiting tourist, and they testify to the beauty and brilliancy of the Mexi can flora. This country has been deservedly named ''the land of flowers;' for everywhere and all the year there are flowers of every hue and color. In the forests of the republic, especially in the tropical lands, are found many varieties of trees the timber of which possesses great value for building or cabinet purposes. Pine of several varieties, balsam, lignum vita, Spanish cedar, mahogany, oak, rosewood, mes quite, olive, palm, almond, fir, sesame, cedar, camphor, india rubber, copal, cacao, 12 species of dye woods and numerous varieties of oil bearing trees are among the varied products of the country, the arboreal vegetation of which embraces 114 different species of woods. In cluded in the fauna of Mexico are the Ameri can lion (puma), jaguar, ocelot, wildcat, wolf, coyote, bear, wild boar, sloth, monkey, hare, rabbit, squirrel, armadillo, deer, beaver, otter, mole, marten, leopard, turtle, which are prin cipally found in the sparsely settled mountains and in the forests of the tierra caliente. None of these are much hunted, the inhabitants of the country having little or no taste for this kind of sport. In the tropics there are many varieties of rich plumaged birds, and song birds are found in all altitudes. Parrots and parakeets abound in the coast regions and are highly prized for their talking qualities and brilliant colors of green, yellow and red. Among the many species of song birds are the zenzontla or mocking bird, the clarin and the nightingale. The birds of prey include the eagle, hawk, turkey buzzard and owl. The cotorra, talking Toro, humming bird, sparrow, blackbird, turtle dove, woodpecker, swallow, magpie, heron, falcon, kite and great numbers of others, which inhabit the forests or fields where there is abundance of insect and other food for their sustenance, are found in Mexico. In all localities where there are fresh-water lakes, lagoons, ponds or rivers there are great numbers of wild ducks and geese, and in the forests the wild turkey abounds. Wild bees are numerous, and the Indians derive quite an income from securing their honey and market ing it in the cities and towns. Of domestic or barnyard fowls the number and variety are very extensive, and their consumption is enor mous. The waters of the Mexican gulfs, lakes and rivers are well stocked with many varieties of fish of excellent quality, the most prized being the red snapper. The markets of Vera Cruz, Tampico and other coast cities daily dis play a tempting supply and variety from the gulfs, the Pacific and the accessible rivers; and large quantities are shipped to inland points by railway, in refrigerator cars. In the immediate vicinity of Tampico many tarpon of large size are caught. Of reptiles there are many varie ties, both venomous and harmless, especially in the southern forests. In the first named class are included boas, covals and rattlesnakes. There are many varieties of scorpions, taran tulas and lizards, some of the latter being so large as to be utilized by the natives as an article of food. To the latter class belongs the iguana which often measures over five feet in length.