HONDURAS

HONDURAS, one of the republican states of Central America, lying between W. Long. 83. 20. and 89. 30., and N. Lat. 13. 10. and 16.; and bounded on the N. and N.E. by the Bay of Honduras and the Caribbean Sea, S.E. by Nicaragua, S. by the Gulf of Fonseca and San Salvador, and W. by Guatemala. On the N. it has a coast-line of about 400 miles from the mouth of the Rio Tinto, in W. Long. 88. 30., to Cape Gracias á Dios, at the mouth of the Rio Wanks or Segovia, in Long. 83. 11. The boundary line follows the Wanks for about two-thirds of its length, and thence deflects in a south-westerly direction to the sources of the Rio Negro, which there forms its boundary to the Gulf of Fonseca, along which it has a coast-line of about 60 miles, to the mouth of the Rio Goascorán. It follows the course of that river, due N., for about 30 miles to the mouth of one of its affluents from the N.W., called Rio Pescado. From the head of this stream it strikes a branch of the Rio Torola, along which it continues to the mouth of the latter, in the Rio Lempa. The Lempa, and subsequently its affluent the Rio Lumpul, constitute its boundary to a point near the source of the latter, where its waters approach those of the Rio Paza. From this point it runs nearly N.E., along the mountain chain of Merendon and Grita to the head waters of the Rio Tinto.

The general aspect of Honduras is mountainous. Ranges of mountains and hills radiate towards the N. and E. from the common base of the Cordilleras. This great chain does not in Honduras approach within 50 or 60 miles of the Pacific, and on that side presents the general appearance of a great natural wall. A lower range of mountains, relieved by volcanic peaks of wonderful regularity of outline, intervenes between it and the ocean. It seems as if the waters of the Pacific had at one time washed the foot of this great mountain barrier, and the now intervening coast range had resulted from subsequent volcanic forces. The great chain of the Cordilleras does not throughout maintain its general character of an unbroken range, but occasionally forms interior basins or valleys, within which are collected the head waters of the large streams that traverse the country in the direction of the Atlantic. The northern and eastern coast of Honduras presents several bold groups of mountains, the terminations of ranges radiating from the Cordilleras. From the high plateaux of Guatemala the great range of the Cordilleras pursues a nearly eastern course to the frontier of Honduras, where it is deflected to the S.E., while a higher range, not inferior in height to the main chain, runs off E. by N. to the Bay of Honduras. At the point of separation this range is called the mountains of Merendon, afterwards Grita, and nearer the coast, Espíritu Santo. On the coast, where it attains the great height of 7000 or 8000 feet, it takes the name of Omoa. The main chain, at the distance of a few leagues from the mountains of Merendon, forms a mass or group known as the mountains of Selaque; and immediately lies the great valley or plain of Sensenti, which is about 30 miles in length by from 10 to 20 in breadth. It is almost wholly enclosed by mountains, the only outlet being the narrow valley or gorge through which flows the Rio Higuito or Talgua, subsequently the Rio Santiago. The mountains of Selaque constitute one of the principal centres of elevation in Honduras, rising to the height of

8000 or 10,000 feet. The Rio Mojicote or Rio Grande de Gracias, a branch of the Santiago, separates them on the E. from the mountains of Paca with their lofty peak, and from the terraced mountains of Opalaca or Intibucat with their truncated summits and elevated plains. The valley of the Rio Sta Barbara, one of the principal affluents of the Santiago, intervenes between the mountains of Opalaca and the group of the Montecillos. This group is formed by the true range of the Cordilleras, which turns abruptly from its previous course, E. by S., to a direction due N., and finally loses itself in diverging ranges toward the coast. The divergences form another mountain-bound valley, in the centre of which lies the Lake of Yojoa. At the eastern base of the Montecillos range, where the interruption of the Cordilleras is complete, lies the plain of Comayagua, about 1900 feet above the sea, from which, extending due N. to the Atlantic, is the valley of the Rio Humuya, and due S. to the Pacific is the valley of the Rio Goascorán—thus constituting a great transverse valley reaching from sea to sea. The plain of Comayagua is probably about 40 miles in length from N. to S., with a general width of from 5 to 15 miles. It slopes almost imperceptibly toward the N., where a range of low hills separate it from the plain of Espino. These two plains, both of great beauty and fertility, occupy nearly one-third of the distance between the Bay of Honduras and that of Fonseca. Beyond the plain of Comayagua the Cordilleras again form a great group or mass of high mountains, the northern part being known as the mountains of Comayagua, the southern as the mountains of Lepaterique. They extend about 80 miles from N. to S., and near the centre send off a high range known as the mountains of Ule. Nearly to the westward of the mountains of Comayagua, and separated from them by the valley and river of the Sulaco, is the Sulaco group, standing almost in the centre of the state, and forming the nucleus of several extensive ranges little inferior to itself in elevation. That which extends to the N.E. is called the mountains of Misoco; that to the N. the mountains of Pija, terminating its numerous spurs in the high peaks of Congrehoj, which frown over the Bay of Honduras; while that called the mountains of Chili pursues a tortuous south-western course, and finally skirts the northern border of the transverse valley of the Nicaraguan lakes. At the base, and to the E. and N.E. of the mountains of Sulaco, are the broad and elevated plains or terraces of the Olancho and Yoro, celebrated for the number and excellence of their cattle. Most of that wide region between the Sulaco mountains and the Atlantic, comprising nearly one-half of the territory of the state, is uninhabited except by detached Indian tribes, and is but little known, except that it is very diversified and rich in the nature of its soil and the variety of its minerals. The northern coast of Honduras presents a diversified surface. A portion is flat, and covered with vast growths of timber. In other places the mountains extend to or very near the coast. Those of Omoa overshadow the Bay of Amatique, and those of Congrehoj and Poyos form conspicuous landmarks from the ocean, which breaks almost at their feet. Honduras thus presents the greatest diversity of surface; fertile valleys, wide and elevated plains, and mountains terraced to their summits, affording almost every variety of soil, climate, and production.

The rivers of Honduras are numerous, and some of them of great size. The principal are the Chamelicon, Ulua, Aguán or Roman, Tinto or Black River, Patuca, and Wanks or Segovia, flowing into the Atlantic; and the Choluteca, Nacaome, and Goascorán, flowing into the Bay of Fonseca. The Chamelicon rises in the mountains of Merendon, and pursues a generally N.E. course to the Atlantic. It is of great length and rapid, but as it drains only a small section of country, its body of water is small. The Ulua, on the other hand, drains a vast expanse of territory,

Honduras, comprehending nearly one-third of the entire state, and is the largest river in Central America, the Wanks perhaps excepted. The principal tributaries are the Santiago, Sta Barbara, Blanco, Humuya, and Sulaco. It has a bar at the mouth with only 9 feet of water, but steamers of light draught may ascend to the mouth of the Humuya. The Rio Aguán or Roman River is a large stream rising in the mountains of Sulaco, and falling into the sea a little to the E. of Truxillo, after a course of about 120 miles. The Rio Tinto or Black River, which at a short distance from the coast takes the name of Poyer or Poyas, is a considerable stream, said to have a course of about 120 miles. The Patook or Patuca River is the largest on this coast, between the Ulua and the Wanks. It takes its rise in the department of Olancho, in the vicinity of the town of Juticalpa. The principal streams which unite to form the Patuca are the Jalan, Tinto de Olancho, Guyape, and Guallambre. The principal mouth of the Patuca is obstructed by a shifting bar, on which there is generally from 8 to 10 feet of water. An arm of the Patuca, called Toomtoom Creek, diverging from the main stream at a short distance from its mouth, connects it with Brus or Brewer's Lagoon, which communicates with the sea by a wide mouth, but only accessible to vessels of six or seven feet draught. Eastward from the mouth of the Patuca is the Carataska or Cartago Lagoon, about 36 miles in length by about 12 in breadth, and varying in depth from 6 to 12 or 18 feet. The Rio Wanks or Segovia is certainly the longest if not also the largest river in Central America. It rises in the department of Nueva Segovia, in the extreme N.W. corner of Nicaragua, within 50 miles of the Bay of Fonseca, and flows N.E. into the Caribbean Sea at Cape Gracias á Dios. Its length is estimated at not less than 350 miles. The three principal rivers flowing into the Pacific are the Goascorán, Nacaome, and Choluteca, of which the last named is the largest. It rises in the Lepaterique Mountains, at the head of the plain of Comayagua, flows eastward until it reaches the meridian of Tegucigalpa, then turns abruptly N, passes that city, and after describing a circuitous route, runs nearly S. into the Gulf of Fonseca, having a total length of 150 miles. The Rio Nacaome collects its waters on the S. side of the Lepaterique Mountains, while the Choluteca drains their northern slope. It is not a long stream, but is very rapid, and carries along a considerable body of water. The River Goascorán rises among the low hills which lie at the head of the great plain of Comayagua, and has a course due S. of 70 or 80 miles. During the rainy season it is of considerable size, but in the dry season it is fordable without difficulty at any point. The only lake of importance is that of Yojoa or Taulebé. It is closely shut in by mountains, and is probably about 25 miles in length, by from 3 to 8 in breadth. The River Blanco, a narrow but deep stream, flows from its northern extremity into the Ulua. The Bay of Fonseca, the greater portion of which belongs to Honduras, is upwards of 50 miles in length, by about 30 in average breadth, with an entrance 18 miles wide, between the volcanoes of Conchagua (3800 feet in height) and Coseguina (3000 feet in height). Across this entrance lie the two islands of Conchagua and Mianagua, and a collection of high rocks called Los Farellones, forming four distinct channels, each having sufficient depth of water to admit the largest vessels. On the island of Tigre, near the centre of the bay, is the free port of Amapa, belonging to Honduras. The largest island in the bay is the Sacate Grande, 7 miles in length, by 4 in breadth, and of great fertility, in some parts densely wooded with cedar, mahogany, and other valuable trees; in others covered with luxuriant pasture.

The principal ports of Honduras on the Atlantic are Puerto Caballo, Omoa, and Truxillo. Puerto Caballo, the first port established by the Spaniards on the northern

coast, is in N. Lat. 15. 49, W. Long. 87. 57. Cortez, in Honduras, his expedition into Honduras, founded a settlement here for the purpose of making it the grand entrepôt of New Spain. For upwards of two centuries it was the principal establishment on the coast; but during the time of the buccaneers it was removed to Omoa, because of the large size of the bay, which could not be properly defended. This bay is not less than 9 miles in circumference, of ample depth—two-thirds of it being from 6 to 12 fathoms—and has secure holding ground. It is perfectly protected from the N.N.E. and N.W. winds, which are those that prevail on this coast. The port of Omoa, in N. Lat. 15. 47, W. Long. 88. 3, is small but secure, and is defended by a strong fort, called El Castillo de San Fernando. The anchorage is good, in from 2 to 6 fathoms. The town stands about a quarter of a mile from the shore, and contains about 2000 inhabitants. Truxillo is situated on the western shore of a noble bay, in N. Lat. 15. 55, W. Long. 86. Young estimated the population in 1842 at 2500, of whom 1000 were whites and Ladinos, and 1500 Caribs. The latter are described as tall, athletic, hardy, and industrious.

The coast alluvions of Honduras are generally densely wooded, the elevated valleys of the interior spread out in broad savannas, and the mountain plateaux are covered with forests of scattered pines, relieved by occasional clumps of oak. Upon the northern coast, in the broad plain through which the Ulua and Chamelicon flow, the country is so low as to be occasionally overflowed for considerable distances. Here grow immense forests of cedar, mahogany, caiba, India-rubber, and other large and valuable trees, thickly interspersed with palms. Farther to the eastward on the same coast the heavy forests are confined chiefly to the river valleys, and give place at short distances inland to sandy savannas, covered with coarse grass and clumps of pines and acacias. The alluvions of the Pacific coast are also densely wooded, but not extensive. At short distances inland they give place to numerous savannas, studded with clumps of acacias, and covered with grass; but the pine does not appear here except upon the slopes of the hills at an altitude of about 1200 feet. The valleys of the rivers on both coasts are thickly wooded; but as they ascend towards the interior, vegetation diminishes, and is reduced to a narrow fringe of trees and bushes upon their immediate banks. These valleys in the high interior country often expand into broad and beautiful plains—half savannah, half woodland—where the palm and the pine flourish side by side. The mountains which rise around these valleys are ascended by terraces crowned with forests of pines and oaks, and covered with grass. The summits of the mountains sometimes rise in peaks, but generally constitute broad table-lands, more or less undulating, and often spreading out in savannas, traversed with long ridges of verdure and green belts of trees.

Of the vegetable productions of Honduras the mahogany tree stands first in importance, and, from its vast size and magnificent foliage, is deservedly entitled "king of the forest." It is to be found in nearly all parts of Honduras, in the valleys of the various streams. It is, however, most abundant upon the lower valleys of the rivers flowing into the Bay of Honduras, where the cortes (cuttings) are chiefly carried on by the Spaniards. A fixed sum is paid to the government for each tree cut down. Rosewood is common on the northern coast, where it is beginning to form an article of commerce. Lignum vite abounds in the valley of the Ulua, on the river banks in the plain of Comayagua, and in other parts. Among the numerous dyewoods for which Honduras is celebrated, may be mentioned fustic, Brazil wood, yellow sanders, dragon's-blood tree, Nicara-gua wood (a variety of Brazil wood), and the anotta. Among the gum and medicinal trees, are the gum-arabic tree, copaiba tree, copal tree, liquid amber, castor oil, ipé-cacuanha, and the Hevea elastica. Among the more com-

Honduras. mon of the others are the long-leaved or pitch pine, cedar, ceiba or silk-cotton tree, live oak, mangrove, iron-wood, calabash, various kinds of oak and palm, lime, lemon, orange, cocoa, pimento, citron, tamarind, and guava. Sarsaparilla is obtained in great abundance, and of superior quality. The sugar-cane grows luxuriantly on the plains and among the mountains, at elevations of 3000 to 4000 feet. Coffee, indigo, tobacco, maize, wheat, rice, and potatoes are also grown.

The domestic animals are the horse, ass, ox, sheep, goat, hog, dog, and cat. The wild animals comprise the deer, tapir, racoon, opossum, squirrel, ant-eater, armadillo, and various species of monkey; also the jaguar, black tiger, tiger-cat, and the cougar. Numerous varieties of parrot abound everywhere; and the macaw and toucan are common on both coasts. Among the birds of prey are hawks, vultures, owls, and sea-eagles. The crow, blackbird, Mexican jay, rice-bird, swallow, rain-bird, and numerous varieties of humming-bird are common. Of water birds the pelican, Muscovy duck, black duck, curlew, plover, spoonbill, teal, darter, heron, ibis, and crane, are abundant on the banks of the lagoons and rivers. The Craz alector, Craz rubra, Pauxi galeata, Guan, Mexican partridge, quail, snipe, and several varieties of wood-pigeon are most numerous in the interior. Alligators are common in the lagoons and rivers of both coasts. Of the lizard tribe there are numerous varieties; the most remarkable is the iguana. Serpents of several kinds are common on the coasts, but they are mostly harmless. The tortoise and turtle are numerous, and of several kinds.

Honduras, in point of mineral resources, ranks first among the states of Central America. Silver, the most abundant and valuable of the ores existing in the state, is found in various combinations—with iron, lead, copper, and in some instances with antimony. Chlorides of silver are not uncommon. The silver ores are chiefly found upon the Pacific ranges or groups of mountains, while the gold washings, if not the gold mines proper, are most numerous on the Atlantic slope. The mineral district of Yusecuran, in the department Tegucigalpa, is noted for the number and value of its mines. The ores are for the most part an argentiferous galena yielding from 63 to 1410 oz. per ton. The mines throughout this department and that of Cholulica yield a similar ore, generally occurring in a matrix of quartz with varying proportions of brown blende, and sulphurets of zinc and iron, and oxides of iron. The mines of the department of Gracias are equally celebrated with those of Tegucigalpa. Gold mines are not uncommon in Honduras; but, with the exception of those of San Andres in the department of Gracias, and those in the vicinity of San Juan Cantarranas in Tegucigalpa, they are no longer worked. The principal supplies of this metal are drawn from the gold-washings of Olancho, which are exceedingly productive. The River Guyape has always enjoyed great celebrity for the amount of gold contained in its sands; but since the early period of Spanish occupancy washing has not been carried on, except on a very small scale by the Indians, and even with them the process is generally left to the women and children. There are also very valuable mines of copper; the ores containing also considerable proportions of silver. Those of Colocol in Gracias contain about 58 per cent. of copper, besides about 80 oz. of silver to the ton. The mine of Guanacaste, in Olancho, gives upwards of 80 per cent. of pure copper, besides about 29 per cent. of silver. Iron-ore is common, but no mines of it are worked except those of Agalteca in Tegucigalpa. Platina is said to exist in the departments of Cholulica and Gracias; but the mines have never been worked. Cinnabar has also been found in several places, but probably not in sufficient quantities to admit of being reduced with profit. Zinc, antimony, and tin also exist. The opal mines of Gracias

are worked to a large extent, and have been very productive; and beds of coal have been discovered in several localities. An abundance of fine white, blue, and veined limestone is scattered throughout every department of the state; while the hills and mountains at the back of Omoa have exhaustless quarries of a fine compact white marble, well adapted for statuary and ornamental use.

The N. and E. coast of Honduras has unquestionably a higher temperature than any other portion of the state. It diminishes, however, rapidly as we proceed inland, the modifying influence of the neighbouring mountains being felt even before the increase of altitude becomes perceptible. The table-lands have of course a climate varying with their elevation and their exposure to the prevailing winds. The climate at the mouth of the Rio Tinto, or Black River, in N. Lat. 16°, W. Long. 85°, is said to be pretty equable, varying only throughout the year from 62° to 86° Fahr. The heats are tempered during the greater part of the year by the grateful sea-breeze, and sometimes by the invigorating dry N. wind.

Honduras has an area of 39,600 square miles, and its population in 1855 was estimated at 350,000, exclusive of the Indian tribes. It is divided into seven departments as follows:—

The department of Comayagua occupies the centre of the state. Tegucigalpa, the smallest and most populous, may be described as occupying a great interior basin or plateau, bounded on the N. and W. by the mountains of Sulaco and Comayagua, and on the S. and E. by those of Ule and Chili. Cholulica occupies the extreme S. fronting on the Bay of Fonseca. Santa Barbara lies northward of Gracias and Comayagua, between these departments and the Bay of Honduras. Gracias lies in the N.E. angle of the state touching upon Guatemala and San Salvador. Yoro comprehends all the northern portion lying E. of Uluia. Olancho lies immediately E. of Tegucigalpa.

The Indian or aboriginal population predominates in Honduras, as in Central America generally. In the eastern portion of the state, within the district which lies between the Rio Roman and the Segovia River, an area of not less than 15,000 square miles, the country is almost exclusively occupied by native tribes, known under the general names of Xicaques and Payas. Portions of these tribes have accepted the Catholic religion, and live in good understanding with the white population. The large town of Catacamas, and some others of less note in the vicinity of Juti-calpa, in Olancho, are exclusively inhabited by Christianized Payas and Xicaque Indians. Apart from these, there are considerable numbers who live among the mountains, and who follow more closely their original modes of life, but who are also friendly in their intercourse with the Spaniards. They tacitly recognize the authority of the government, but it does not interfere with their modes of life. The names Xicaques and Payas may be regarded as general designations. The Toacas or Towkas, some of whom live on the banks of the Rio Patuca, and the Secos, found on the Rio Tinto or Black River, probably belong to the Payas. They are described by Young as having "long black hair hanging over their shoulders, very broad faces, small eyes, with a peculiar expression of sadness and docility, which possesses the beholder in their favour." "They are short, but remarkably strong, and capable of carrying heavy burdens over the rocky passes of their steep mountains with-

Honduras, out appearing to suffer much fatigue. Their character for faith and honesty stands high." The coast around Caratanka Lagoon, and westward as far as Brewer's Lagoon, was for many years occupied by Sambos or Mosquitos, a mixed race of Negroes and Indians; but the Caribs spreading rapidly eastward from Truxillo and Black River, have now nearly displaced them, and driven them to the southward of Cape Gracias á Dios into the Mosquito territory. The Caribs are peaceable, active, and industrious, and are much employed by the mahogany cutters on the coast. The government of Honduras is popular and representative, all power emanating from the people, and all public functionaries being held responsible to the people for the faithful discharge of their duties. The executive power is vested in a president, who must be thirty-two years of age, a native of Central America, a citizen of the state for five years, and proprietor of real estate to the value of L.1000. He holds office for four years, and is incapable of being elected to serve for two consecutive terms. The legislative body is composed of fourteen deputies, half of whom retire annually. A deputy must be twenty-five years of age, a citizen of the department which he represents, and a proprietor to the value of L.100, or in the exercise of a profession or art yielding that annual return. The senators, seven in number, must be thirty years of age, proprietors each to the value of L.200, or licentiates in some of the liberal professions. The legislature imposes taxes; nominates, in joint session, the magistrates of the supreme court of justice; grants the annual appropriations; fixes the military contingent; controls the educational system; makes war or peace; ratifies treaties; and has the power of impeaching and trying the executive officers of the state. The supreme court of justice is divided into two sections of three members each, one of which is established in the city of Comayagua, and the other in that of Tegucigalpa. They must be advocates of established reputation, of at least twenty-five years of age, and proprietors to the value of L.200. Each department is presided over by a chief officer, named by the executive, who must be twenty-five years of age, and a proprietor in the department over which he is appointed. All persons born in the state, or in any of the other states of Central America, and resident in Honduras, are recognized as citizens; and foreigners may acquire the rights of citizenship by legislative act. The right of suffrage belongs to all citizens above twenty-one years of age, "but after 1870 it shall be limited to such only as may then be able to read and write." The press is free; and capital punishment is abolished. The established religion is Roman Catholic. There are two universities, one at Comayagua, the other at Tegucigalpa, with professorships of law, medicine, and theology.

Comayagua, formerly Valladolid, the capital of the state, is situated on the southern border of the plain of the same name, in N. Lat. 14. 28, W. Long. 87. 39. It was founded by Alonzo Caceres in 1540. In 1827 it was taken and burned by the monarchical faction of Guatemala. It then contained about 18,000 inhabitants, and was embellished with fountains and monuments; but has never since wholly recovered. It is the seat of a bishopric, and has a large and elegant cathedral, and a university. The trade of the city is small. Pop. about 8000. Tegucigalpa, the largest and finest city in the state, stands on the right bank of the Rio Choluteca, which is here crossed by a fine stone bridge of ten arches, connecting the town with the suburb of Comayagua. The town is substantially and regularly built, and contains six large churches, one of which is scarcely inferior in size to the cathedral of Comayagua. Its trade was formerly chiefly carried on through Omoa and Truxillo, but since the establishment of the free port of Amapala, it has taken that direction. Pop. about 12,000.

The coast of Honduras was discovered by Columbus in

1502. It subsequently formed part of the Spanish kingdom of Guatemala, which comprised the provinces of Guatemala, Honduras, San Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. These threw off their allegiance to Spain in 1821, and assuming the rank of sovereign states soon after united in a confederacy called the "Republic of Central America." This union, in consequence of internal dissensions, became practically dissolved in 1839, and since that time Honduras has continued to be an independent republic. (See Notes on Central America, by E. G. Squier. New York, 1855.) An American work having been chiefly followed in the preparation of this article, it is necessary to explain that a considerable portion of country described under Honduras is claimed by the English for the king of Mosquito; but otherwise the work quoted is the principal authority on the subject.