New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-28

POpulnttOn--GOYernIne -IiistOfl duu
Present Condition.
The following complete and interesting
account of the British Honduras, or Belize,
as it is generally named, has been prepared
for The Tribune, 1t will we'll repay Pc
rusal
The settlement Of Honduras extends along the
eastern coast of Yucatan between IS 54 and Is
30 north latitude, and between IS and 90 west
longitude. 1t is separated from Yucatan by the
Rio Hondo and its southern boundary is formed
by the Sarstoon River which falls into the Gulf Of
Honduras not 90 miles west of the mouth of the
Rio Dolce. Honduras is in length about Us miles
from north to south, and ITO miles from east to
west, the whole settlement embracing an area OF
$3.50 square miles.
The coast is fat and lined with numerous YER
dant cayos or coral keys, which are overgrown
with cocoa nut trees and bushes, and are much re-
sorted to by the fishermen for turtles. The largest
are Ambergris Key, toward the north, and Turneh
opposite the town of Belize. These two keys
consist of clusters ofsevera small islands divided
by narrow creeks and lagoons. A smaller key
called st. Georges, is resorted to by the mer-
|
! The shores of the continental part OF the settle
ment are rocky, but low, excepttoward the SOUTH
where they are rather higher and intersected by
deep rsvines The River Belize flows down
! from an unexplored region. The low country
near the sea is in many parts swampy and par
| italy covered with stagnant waters nearly the
whole year through; during the rains it is com.
pletely covered. The high grounds further inland
have a sandy soil and are chiefly oyergrown with
different hide Of Pic, which supplies excellent
timber. The valleys which intenect tho high
lands have very fertile soil, and are covered
with various species Of tropical trees.
South Of the River Belize the low country is
thickly wooded, but it does not extend moro sh-~
from three 10 six miles inland behind which
mountains rise TO a considerable elevation. The
country comprising the mountain slopes aud val
eys, and the interior country, is covered with
forests aud the soil is said to be very fertile
| The rivers are navigabls for twenty or thirty
/ miles from their mouths, but higher up they are
/ interrupted by rap Is and falls. Mahogany, dye
woods aud timber are ilosted down these streams
The Hondo the New River, the Belize and the
seboon are the most remarkable; on the banks
/ of the latter are extensive forests Of Mahogany
The Belize probably winds for more than $50
miles In its length. The Hondo is the most nav
/ gable of these streams.
The geology Of this country presents many OF
those features which are primary inducement
to settlement. Vita a substratum Of reddish
sandstone, its soil consists chiefly Of a deep loan
intermxed with sand and enriched with the de-
/ Gays Of successive ages. In accordance with the
elevation OF districts, it is capable of producing all
European as well as every species of tropical
vegetation. The natural prsiries or pastures
spread over a large portion of the country On
the margins of the numerous creeks and rivers an
inexhanstbly rich alluyial soil is found
The mineral productions are equally valuable.
Veins Of fine marble and mountains of alabaster
are known to exist. Valuable crystals have been
found in the interior, and fine specimens of field.
spar lie along the banks in many places, and are
often used in ornamental stuccO work. Gold has
at various periods been found in the Roaring
Creek, a branch Of the Belize, but it is uncertain
from whence it has been derived. Quantities OF
/ lava and volcanic substances have been found In
/ different situations Laboring Creek, about 100
miles inland, on the Belize, is remarkable for the
petrilyiLg properties which it possesses. Its wa
4 tiers have powerful csthartic effect on strangers
/ and healing property when applied externally
/ 10 ulcers.
The climate about Belize is a compound of heat
and moisture The mean annual temperature is
sO1o Fair. Ia July, the dryest and hottest month,
the average maximum is CO. and the average
minimum So, but 1t is seldom oppressive, the
atmosphere being refreshed by sea. breezes.-
From April 10 July is the dry season. Dur
ing the remainder of the year rains are fire.
quent especially in July, August and September.
/ In the beginning of October the north winds set
in and generally continue with little variation TO
February March when the weather becomes
exceedingly variable. During the wet season,
/ the temperature sometimes sinks 10 60o. The d.
ufnal sration Of temperature is very ear, being
/ frequently ss much as l5- between sunrise and
room and at night it il 20 or 25o less than during
the day. Nevertheless, the extreme annual range
/ is only about 4O0. With regard 70 the salubrity
/ Of the climate, however, there is every reason TO
believe that it is more favorable 10 the European
constitution than any other climate under the
tropics. and many instances Of longevity, as well
/ among Europeans az natives, are recorded.
The natural groTths Of the country are as va
rious as valuable. Ia the forests are the cabbage
tree, cedars, pines iron wood silk cotton trees,
/ logWoOd, fustIc and brsziletto, and the most i'm.
! portsnt Of all, the mahogany tree. Sarsaparilla
/ is collected in the southern districts The ma.
/ hogRny tree and logTOod are the great staples of
/ Honduras. There are also several other woods
/ of great value, as rosewood palmaetta dark and
beautifully figured, Santa Maria, which possesses
/ the properties Of the Indian teak caoutchouc or
/ Indian Rubber, sspodi and innumerabla others
/ The most common fruits are oranges lemons
/ lines, shaddochs, mangOes, quavas, cashoo nuts,
tamarnds, avocado pears, Pomegranates, wild
/ pups and grapes.
The agricultural products consist Of Indian corn.
( rice. vans srd piautains. Arrow.root is cuti-
yfter In fmal Quantities The s,il IL ~.rar, sly