On the plateau the same grains and fruits grow as in our own country, only that in Mexico as fast as one crop is ripe and gathered, another is planted. Three or four crops of corn are harvested in the year. The cotton-plant with us dies as soon as frost touches it, but in Mexico there is a kind that goes on producing for years.
In the lowlands sugar-cane, oranges, bananas, pineapples, coffee, and vanilla are grown. Here, too, are plantations of the evergreen cacao (ka-ka'-o) tree, the seeds of which, when roasted, ground, and mixed with sugar, make chocolate.
The maguey (ma-gway'), or Mexican aloe, is a native of Mexico. The sap of this plant is collected and allowed to ferment. It is then a drink like cider, and forms the national beverage, which is called pulque (pool'-kay).
MAP STUDIES.
What river is between Mexico and the United States? From what one of the states does this, river separate Mexico?
What ocean bounds Mexico on the west and south? Where are the Sierra Madré mountains? Sierra is a Spanish word meaning saw.
Where also in North America are mountains called Sierras? This reminds you that Maxico, like California, was settled by Spaniards. Where is Yucatan?
Where is lower California? What other California is there? Two of the volcanoes of Mexico are Po-po-cat'-e-petl and Jorullo (ho-rool'yo).
What is the capital of Mexico? The city of Mexico is farther south than Havana. It should therefore be hotter than Havana. But it is not. The city is high up among the mountains, and for this reason is never very hot. Where is Vera Cruz?
What sea is northeast of Central America? What ocean on the south? In what zone is Central America? (See map, page 17.)
Name the capital of each of these countries. * British Honduras, * Guatemala (gwah-te-mah'-la), * Honduras (hon-doo'-ras), * Panama (pan-a-mah'), * Nicaragua (nik-ar-ah'-gwah), * Costa Rica (kos-tah ree'-kah), * Salvador (sahl-va-dore').
Which is the most northern country of Central America? The most southern? Where is Lake Nicaragua? How is it connected with the Caribbean sea? Where is the volcano of Coseguina (ko-say-ghee'-nah).
