We pass now from the hot and sickly sands and marshes of the eastern coast to a region which has been considered by many writers and travellers as the most delightful in Mexico. Beauty of natural scenery and salubrity of climate, fertility of soil and richness of productions, combine to render Oajaca valuable, not only in a commercial aspect, but as a residence in which it would be agreeable to pass a life time. Nor is this the opinion only of the present inhabitants, for the remains of antiquity still found within the limits of the State, prove it to have been the seat of Indian civilization long before the arrival of the Spaniards. The geological structure of this State is different from that of Puebla and Mexico; and the vegetation is quite as vigorous as that of other prolific regions, without the rankness which produces rapid decomposition and miasma. The rains are generally abundant from May to October. In our general description of the geological and geographical characteristics of Mexico, we have already shown that the great Cordillera, forming the spine of this continent, divides into two arms after leaving the Isthmus, which connects North and South America. One of these mountain ranges with its high vallies and table lands forms the barrier along the Pacific, while the other spreads out its massive veins throughout the middle and eastern portions of Mexico. Between these formations, the Valley of Oajaca lies embosomed; and from this beautiful and fruitful region, which was bestowed by the Spanish crown upon Cortéz, he obtained his Marquisate del Valle de Oajaca, in which his family still possessed, previous to the revolution, 49 villages, with a population of 17,700 persons. In these two mountain regions, thus sundered by the valley, have dwelt, from the earliest periods, two Indian races known as the Mixtecas and the Zapotecas; the former of which is characterised by activity, intelligence and industry. Besides these tribes, seventeen others are reckoned still to inhabit Oajaca. * * * * * The State is divided into eight departments, which are subdivided into districts or cantons. 1st. The Department of the Centre, with the cantons of Oajaca, Partido del Toranéo, Etla, Tlacolula, and Zimatlan. 2d. Department of Ejutla, with the cantons of Octolan, Miahuatlan, and Pochutla. 3d. Department of Jamiltepec, with the cantons of Jamiltepec and Juquila. 4th. Department of Tehuantepec, with the cantons of Tehuantepec, Quechapa and Lachixila. 5th. Department of Teposcolula, with the cantons of Teposcolula, Tlaxiaco and Nocnistlan. 6th. Department of Huajuapam, with the cantons of Huajuapam and Justlahuaca. 7th. Department of Toochila and Villalta, with the cantons of Ixtlan, Yalalag and Chuapam. 8th. The Department of Teutitlan del Camino, with the cantons of Teutitlan and Teutila.