all government monopolies. Hats, shoes, saddlery, jewelry, fancy articles, earthenware, and pottery, are manufactured, though not to a very great extent. The artificers in gold and silver in Nicaragua are extremely ingenious and skillful, and exhibit great taste and experience in the manufacture of

ornaments.

A visit to the cattle estates, on the opposite shore of the Lake from Granada, will richly repay the traveler. Over the fine, fertile pasture lands of a single hacienda, roam a thousand cattle, and an equal number of horses and mules, though generally inferior in quality. When a sale has been effected, the major-domo summons his men to "lazo" the chosen stock.

The horses are saddled, and one end of the lazo-made of twisted thongs of hide-is bound round the tail of each horse, care being first taken to prevent the flesh from becoming lacerated by subsequent friction. The rider gathers the loose end. of the cord in his hand. He approaches the bull, who, finding himself singled out, starts away at full speed, but the horse, accustomed to the game, runs as though aware of every winding the bull may make. Coming within the desired distance, great dexterity over the bull's horns,

the lazo is whirled with and on the instant the horse wheels, and the bull, starting rapidly off, is thus thrown upon his haunches. Should he

prove fractious, he is turned on his back and firmly tied. At

times, however, the enraged bull, driven to extremities, lowers.

his head, as though aware of the object of his pursuer, and retreats to a close place, from whence suddenly wheeling he makes battle. These estates are immense, and very frequently the cattle and horses exceed the number here given, though during the few past years every thing has shared the same eventful fate-neglect.

Among the countless fruits is one I have never seen described, but which is by no means common; and why it should not be more extensively cultivated, I cannot imagine. It is called the peta-huija. It grows upon a bush about the size of the pine-apple plant. The fruit is nearly as large as an ordinary ruta-baga turnip, in form like the strawberry, having a complete covering of leaves or folds, which overlap each other like the different pieces of a coat of mail. It is a deep carmine in color, full of small, black, round seeds, when cut open. The meat of the fruit is sweet and soft, and in taste resembles the flavor of the raspberry. When sliced, sugared, and baked with wine, it is extremely luscious. It is held in great esteem, though I never met with it but once during my stay in the country, and this was at Granada.

Figs and olives would flourish here to perfection, as well as the grape; and there is no reason why wines should not be manufactured fully equal to the superior article of Peru and Chili. The first olive was carried from Andalusia to Peru in 1560, by Antonio de Ribera, of Lima. The jocotes, referred

FIGS, OLIVES, AND JOCOTES.

79

to among the different fruits, are said by writers generally to be a species of plum, but I rather class it as an olive in color, meat, texture, size, and in some instances in similarity of taste. Our present limits will not permit us more extended latitude amid the fruits and productions, which subject we leave for the present with regret.

CHAPTER IX.

THE MALACCAS-CULTIVATION OF THE CACAO-DESCRIPTION OF A CACAO ESTATE -AN UGLY FISSURE OUTSIDE GRANADA-A SHOCK OF AN EARTHQUAKE— SPECULATIONS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY-LAKE POYO-DELIGHTFUL JAUNT -A LAKE COMO-A CUP OF TISTE-ITS USE-PRODUCTIONS OF THE COUNTRY -CIGARS-MAIZE-AGUARDIENTE-EFFECTS

OF NOT TO BE MISTAKEN

WHEAT-MINERALS-GOLD, SILVER, AND COPPER MINES OF DEPILTA-THE

CHONTALES MINING

DISTRICTS-MATAGALPA-PAYNTER-THE

CENTRAL

STATES-THEIR MINES-ACCOUNT OF HONDURAS AND SAN SALVADOR-COSTA RICA-COAL-WANT OF MACHINERY, MEANS, AND ENTERPRISE.

FIVE miles from Granada is a cacao estate known as " The Malaccas." The ride from the city is over a level country, studded with white cacti and flowering shrubs. This plantation may be considered a fair sample of that which proper culture and industry may accomplish. The cacao is cultivated extensively, but is very rarely exported. That of this State is considered very superior, and is worth three times the price

of that raised at Guyaquil. The tree is delicate, and requires

DESCRIPTION OF A CACAO ESTATE.

81

great attention, though it repays every expense lavished upon it. It bears in seven years, produces two crops annually, and its yield is perfect in its fifteenth season. It grows to the height of twenty feet, its leaves are large and pointed, and it bears a small red flower.

The pod contains about fifty beans.

The shoots are planted fourteen feet apart, and are shaded by the plantain and the coral tree; the latter is called "The Mother of the Cacao," and shields the nursling from the glowing sun-rays. The cacao drops its bright crimson leaves. about the beginning of April. It is indigenous; one laborer will attend one thousand trees, which will yield an annual income of three hundred dollars. Its beans are in circulation in the absence of smaller pieces of money than the media, and are of the value of one cent. A visit to the Malaccas is full of information. Its graveled roads are margined with mango groves, laden with golden fruit; and being perfectly free from weeds or underbrush, resemble a public square in Philadelphia.

Beyond the limits of Granada, upon the right, there is a large chasm, where a bridge spans the Camino real. It is the result of an eruption of the volcano of Masaya, in 1529, more of which we will give in another place. Your head grows giddy as you stand on its brink, gazing far down the dark abyss. The stones thrown within this yawning gulf bounded from crag to crag, while from far below came the