Dec.12.—From Ătŏtŏnīlcŏ to Sŏmbrĕrētĕ, thirteen or fourteen leagues.
There is little worthy of remark upon the road. We breakfasted at el Ărēnāl, a Rancho; upon leaving which we had an immediate view of the mountain of el Sŏmbrĕrētīllo (seven leagues distant), at the foot of which the town of Sŏmbrĕrētĕ stands. The name is derived from an excrescence upon the summit of the mountain, not unlike a hat in appearance, and visible at a great distance.
About four leagues from the town we were met by Don Nărcīsŏ Ānītŭá, the proprietor of the mines worked by the United Mexican Company in the district of Sŏmbrĕrētĕ, and conducted by him to his own house; where we remained during our whole stay, which was prolonged till the 17th of December, in order to allow time for a full examination of the mines.
These are situated upon the two great veins of La Veta Negra and El Păvĕllōn, the existence of which forms a very remarkable feature in the district of Sombrerete; as, though perfectly distinct, they run parallel with each other in the same direction (S.E. and N.W.) at a distance of only 190 varas at the surface, which diminishes in the lower workings, (from the inclination of the lodes towards each other,) until, at the depth of about 780 varas, it is supposed that the two may blend into one.
Upon each of these veins there is a series of shafts, which were originally separate mines. Those upon
