here, at prices ranging from three to four reales a day. It is believed that the completion of the railroad to Morelia will be of great benefit to these mines, which are now owned largely by residents of this city, who have not sufficient capital to work them, and are willing to sell at a fair valuation. It may be remarked that Michoacan still contains an immense amount of undeveloped mineral wealth. Besides gold and silver, copper and iron are abundant.
An excursion may also be taken to Zintzuntzan, about twenty miles distant. This town was the seat of the court of the ancient kings of Michoacan; it had a population of 40,000. To-day its edifices are destroyed, its streets deserted, and its few inhabitants are extremely ignorant. In the environs many mounds exist that are said to conceal the ancient palaces of the kings of Michoacan. There are also many buildings in which precious antiquities would be found if these hills should be excavated and examined. A great deal of pottery is now made here.
The cities of Zamora, La Barca, and La Piedad, and the brown-coal deposits of Xiquilpan, may be reached from Morelia by horse-roads. In closing the chapter on Morelia, it may be said that, at present, but two foreign corporations are carrying on mining and smelting operations in the vicinity—one English and one American. The State Government is trying to increase the cultivation of the silk-worm and of cotton, and it is hardly necessary to add that Michoacan affords excellent opportunities for investment to foreigners having some capital.
4. From Morelia to Pátzcuaro, and thence to Manzanillo.
There are two lines of diligences from Morelia to Pátzcuaro, running three times a week. The fare is $2 for each passenger. The distance is forty miles, and the trip requires eight hours. The scenery along the route is pictur-
