Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-10-25

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THE CUBAN IGUANA-Nor AT ALL PRETTY
But yEgy PALArABLK.
ing. Soon after they landed on the is
land the Spaniards began the inhuman
tactics that have largely characterized
their policy ever since. The extinction
OF the native population led to the In.
PRODUCTION Of negroes to work on the
plantations. This importation Of negroes
continued for centuries, until now the
bulk Of the population is composed of
that race.
During the latter part of the six
teenth century and during most Of the
seventeenth Cuba suffered greatly from
the attacks Of the buccaneers. I'm l7l7
revolt against the Spanish admins
traitors of the island broke ont in conse-
quence Of the attempt Of the govern
ment 90 establish tobacco monopoly.
Since then there have been u series OK
revolts aud Instructions against the
Spanish rulers. but all Of them proved
abortive until the last just closed.
which would probably have ended like
all the rest, but for the humane inter
ference of the United States.
Cuba. the Pearl Of the Antilles, Is
the largest, the most important and the
wealthiest island Of the West Indian
archipelago. II lies at the entrance TO
the gulf Of Mexico and forms an irreg-
ular curve Of about 300 miles in length,
extending from Cape Maysi on the east
10 Cape San Antonio on the west. Its
width varies from 20 to 1875 miles, and
its area, including dependencies
amounts to 47,2;s square miles.
The island is intersected by range
of mountains, more or less broken,
which extends through il from east to
west and from which the rivers de-
scend TO the sea on each side. From
Cape Maysi TO Cape Cruz the range
called the Sierra Maestro skirts the
southern shore for distance of 200
miles At the west end Of the island
the mountains also approach the coast
Among these ranges lie fertile valleys,
some of which are 200 miles long and
80 broad. The highest peaks in the
Sierra Maestro range, and in fact in the
island, are Pico Turquino, rising 9, 800
feet above the level Of the Sea, and La
Gran Piedra. which ascends to a height
Of 3, 200 feet.
The mountain regions Of Cuba are ex.
tremely picturesque, but very sparsely
settled, and for the most part little
known. A person might travel for
weeks in these solitudes and never see
human habitation or any evidence
that man had ever been there. Their
slopes are. usually covered by forests
and dense jungles, whose vegetation,
constantly moistened by innumerable
streams and brooks and by the rains
and dews is rankly luxuriant. I'm
mense mineral wealth is supposed to be
hidden in the bowels Of these noun
tains. but SO far copper is the only
metal that has been mined to any con-
siderable extent.
The entire coast Of Cuba, it might be
said, is protected by rocky reefs and
muddy shadows, which in many in
stances stretch far ont into the sea
These are exceedingly dangerous and
have proved fatal to large vessels as
we'll as to smaller craft. On many parts
Of the coast the sea is very deep quite
close inshore and affords excellent har-
bors for vessels plying on the busiest
sea road in the western hemisphere.
There are many islands lying off the
coast of Cuba. the largest and most i'm
portant being the Isle of Pines, a fl.
nous health resort. Epidemics are IN
known OIL this favored spot, and its in
habitants are secure from the attacks
of yellow fever. Many wealthy Cubans
live here, and delightful villas and ele.
CANT residences are frequently seen
ensconced in palm and pine groves aud
surrounded by gorgeous fringes OF flow
ers For some unaocountable reason the
pine tree of our northern regions -four
ishes to perfection in this delightful
isle. Its presence there may have some
thing to do with the salubrioumess Of
the place
Almost every part Of Cuba is supplied
with fresh aud generally pure water.
There are many rivers, but none OF
them is Of great length, except the Lam
70, which. rising in the Sierra Maestro,
empties into Manzanillo bay after ruu-
ming course of 1870 miles. 1t is only
navigable for small craft. The only
other rivers deserving Of mention are
the Sagua Grande and the Sagua Chica,
neither Of which is navigable even for
small boats but for few weeks after
the rainy season has ended. Springs
and streams Of exquisitely pure water
are to be found in great abundance. The
number of caves and grottoes found cir
cling over pools of limpid water is re.
markable, and adds an additional charm
to the beauty Of such localities.
In the mountains there are many
beautiful waterfalls, among which the
cascades of Rosario are the most cele-
brated. A number of medium sized
lakes, fringed with trees or verdant
grassy slopes, add variety and beauty
to the scenery in the interior Of the is
land. They are well supplied with y1ri-
Gus finely favored fish and, together
with the natural fruits and vegetables,
furnish the jewellers in these delightful
regions with their subsistence without
the necessity Of much work.
Profuse as is the bounty Of nature dis
played in the vegetable world, there are
no large animals of any kind indigenous
to the island. When Columbus landed,
he only found two quadrupeds, and
those of q small size-one, sort OF
barkless dog, probably raccoon, and Q |
long bodied squirrel. Many imported
domestic animals. such as the horse,
pig. goat, cat, the dog. and even cattle. |
in the course Of time ran wild. and are |