Alyoxuan.
The Village Alyoxucan appears afar off on a high Mountain, on whose top is a Lake of a hundred and fifty Fathom in circumference; the Water whereof is very cold, and of a bluish Colour, and neither Ebbs nor Flows, to which the Villagers climb along a narrow Path.
Not far from thence, in the Plain, are two other very deep Lakes: The first call’d Tlacae, is a League in circumference, and breeds delicate white Fish, not above a Fingers length: The second nam’d Alchichican, about the same bigness, which in stormy Weather is very turbulent.
Strange sort of Bird.
Amongst the Fowls of this Countrey, the most noted is a little Summer Bird, with a long crooked Tail, speckled Feathers; feeds on nothing but Flowers and the Dew; about Harvest time, when the Rain ceases, it hangs fast with its Bill on a Tree, and as soon as the first Rain falls, it revives again.
In this Countrey Tepeaca are five Villages, in each of which is a Franciscan Cloyster and convenient Hospital.
In this Countrey they gather the Water in the time of the Rainy Moneths, in a digg’d Pool, which every Morning produces little Toads with long Tails, which in few days fall off; but these little ones growing to be great, make a most dreadful noise in the Night: From October till March, not one drop of Rain falls in this Countrey; during which time, the Northern Winds make a dry and wholsome Air, yet oftentimes a tempestuous Sea, to the loss of many Ships.
Farther up into the Countrey, between Vera Crux and Los Angelos, lies the Village Rinconanda; and also Xalapa and Perota built of Straw Houses in the middle of a Wood of Cedar and Pine-Trees, inhabited by the Spaniards, for the accommodating of Travellers: To which purpose there are likewise Inns built near the Spring Fuente de Otzumba, which gushes out of a high Rock.
Not far from hence is the Populous Village Chetula, where a small number of Spaniards dwell amongst thousands of Indians, who chiefly make use of Mules to carry their Loads.