seeds with a huge wooden hammer and extracting the juice. The climate of La Playa is dry and very hot. The thermometer in the winter season readies 90° Fahr. at midday. It is much warmer in summer. The soil consists of dark volcanic sand, and it is called mal pais— i. e., bad country. The region abounds with dangerous insects, such as scorpions, spiders, etc. A few rattlesnakes are found here. The traveler is advised to shake out his boots in the morning, as insects and reptiles are apt to crawl into them during the night. Should he sleep in a Mexican hut, it will be expedient to keep on all clothing (including boots), on account of the vermin.
During the French invasion a battalion of soldiers, numbering about five hundred, marched down to this corner of the Republic. After camping in the plain for a few days they returned to Ario, fully satisfied that the natives had been impressed with the importance of these Gallic visitors.
The ultimate destination of the tourist, the well-known volcano of Jorullo, will now be described.
The trail up the mountain leaves the Acapulco road at La Playa.
The base of the cone of the volcano is about three miles distant. Whether the traveler passes the night at Tejamanil, or at Señor Vega's residence, he should set out before day-light (say 4 a. m.), in order to reach the summit and return before the sun becomes too hot. One hour will be requisite to go from Tejamanil to La Playa in the dark. Leaving the main road, the path traverses a barren sandy plateau covered with bowlders of black scoriaceous basalt. Presently the grade ascends, and we pass through underbrush and groves of the huisachi and tepejuaje trees. Horses can be ridden to within half a mile of the crater. A Mexican peasant may be hired to act as guide for the sum of one dollar. He will take care of the tourist's horse, if no mozo
