and plain can be traversed by a bridle-path. The railroad soon makes a sharp turn, and leaves the Cañon de los Zopilotes. The grade is still very heavy. A fine view of the broad and fertile valley below presents itself to the eye, and the observer will soon notice a cliff about two hundred feet high, on the right-hand side of the track, called the Salto de Medina. The cliff was so named after Medina, the chief of a noted band of brigands. He had been pursued to the edge of the precipice, and, finding escape impossible, blinded his mule with a zarape, and, spurring his animal, jumped off the cliff to prevent the officers of the law from capturing him. The line now runs along the side of the broad valley, making several long curves, and reaches the station of Solis (176•50 kilometres). The country is covered with basaltic rock, and tanks for watering live-stock are seen in places. Tepetongo is the next station (185•70 kilometres), and has an elevation of 7,652 feet. The region is overgrown with nopal-trees, and the bush known as huisachi, resembling the mesquite. After passing the station of Pomoca (205•50 kilometres), we reach Maravatio (223•20 kilometres). The elevation of this town is 6,612 feet, and the population is about 10,000. (Hotel, Diligencias.) The town lies in a broad, grassy plain, surrounded by ridges of mountains. There is nothing of special interest to the traveler here. Maravatio is eleven hours' journey from the City of Mexico. Another and shorter route from the capital to this town has been surveyed — i. e., the continuation of the division of El Salto, the line running northward from the capital, via Tlalnepantla, Cuautitlan, and Huehuetoca, to the station of El Salto, 67•29 kilometres from the capital. On November 1, 1883, only four kilometres of this line were constructed beyond El Salto. The Mexican Central Railway also runs to El Salto, and the country adjoining the latter road will be described in Section V.
