The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-17
MExlco's GREAT WATERFALL.
1t Rivals the Lofty Cascades of the Yose
mite.
Mexican Letter in ST. Louis Globe Dem.
ocrat.)

ocrat.)
Not frequently in this advanced age
does it transpire that one of natures
most marvellous works has been allowed
to remain unchronicled among the recog-
nized wonders of the earth, and generally
unknown to a majority of the Inhabitants
of a world 1t was designed to adorn, yet,
sequestered among the verdant hills and
wales of central Mexico, not because of
any remoteness or inaccessibility, for it
is situated within.a days journey by rail
| from the capital city of the republic, anG
only few hours travel from the fair
metropolis. Guadalajara, in the State Of
Jalisco, but because of the Hardness on
the part of those who worship at natures
shrine in availing themselves Of the al
lurements Of this truly delightful section
this land of manana, OF POGO tempo,
and sweet forgetfulness-all the moro
| sublime because of it's unheIalded males
| ty, there exists a masterpiece of natures
handiwork, unrivaled in it's own peculiar
| beauties and environments. 1t is the
geat waterfall of Juanactlan.
in itself an artists dream of rural de-
lights. Leaving the railroad at the little
station of 81 Castillo, one is conveyed by
! native tram car for a distance of five
miles through beautiful circular valley
thousands of acres in area, and resemb
| ling in the graceful curves OF its sur
rounding hills and the delicate tints of
/ 4,
shell. At frequent intervals above the
| tops of tn tall grasses and tropical shrubs
glimpses are caught of the broad, wind
| ing Rio de Santiago, its waters fastening
onward to the mad plunge.
Having traversed perhaps two-thirds
of this enchanting Landscape, ones ear
gradually becomes conscious of low,
distant murmnr, which steadily in
creases to deep rumble, and from that
to mighty roar, aud presently the
tram-csr comes to q standstill at the very
brink OF high pTecipice, from which is
viewed through clouds of vaporous mist,
the sight of thousands of tons OF water
plunging over wall of gray granite in
steady, unbroken cataract of 800 feet in
width, for @ sheer distance of 60 fest into
seething, edying vortex below.
For time the mind is apt to be held
in rapt conte III plation of the grand spec
tacle; then by degrees the senses are
awakened to the various characteristics,
the exquisite effects. and wlerd vagarles
OF tho foaming, falling waters. AT the
extreme further shore % portion OF the
rushing food is turned aside by q spur of
granite and hurled obliquely against the
face of the combining wall, from which 1t
rebounds in q fine, veil-like cascade,
while from the top Of the prceipice on
the nearer side, long, trailing vines droopo
down and reach out their tendr1ls as II
in vain efforts to grasp the descending
torrents.
Associated with these falls is strange
and beautiful phenomenon. 1t is the
constant presence of nyriads OF gorgeous
butterflies, which fit in and out the riffs
OF the great cat cade ami to and fro
through the clouds OF drifting vapor,
seemingly attracted and fascinated by the
dazzling, buffeting avalanche Of foam.
Not least magnificent of all its varied
features are the ever-visibje, ever-chang
ing rainbow effects. Reflected in the
sllvery mist at many different angie
at one moment arched in a radiant span
from shore to shore, the next caught by u
counter current of vapor and borne up
ward in whiriing column of irridescent
light-their delicate hues are blended into
fantastic combinations OF color such as
would challenge reproduction through
calcium agencies.
The foot of tho falls is reached by
winding stairway of masonry down the
side of the cliff, at the foot OF which, shat
in by massive walls OF solid rock, the
cannonading of the waters IS deafenlng
Here one is completely enveloped in the
driving mist which at first partially OBJ
soures the vision, but gradually the eyes
become accustomed to the change from
the upper atmosphere, and behind the
sheet of descending water. deep, cayernous
assures can be discerned, from the gils'
teninQ walls of which titful shadows are
thrown back in unreal, grotesque array
just above the falls the river attains
width Of $40 feet, and near the center Is o
romantic little island, denssly covered
with Towering plants and banana trees
and Populated by tropical birds OF brll
ilant plumage. In the coves and reoesses
along the banks of the stream water INES
grow in great profusion, and the air Is
constantly laden with their perfume.
Nestled among the hills in the distance
on the opposite side CT tho river IS the
picturesque little hamlet Of Juanacatlan,