LatAm Digital Edition and Gazetteer

474

C I N

C I N

four or five times in the year ; which causes the ground to be so parched, that it would be entirely uninhabitable, were it not for the multitude of streams with which it is intersected, and which render the temperature mild and healthy. The country for the most part consists of levels, covered with green shrubs and trees, forming shady woods of three or four leagues in extent. In these are found the Brazil-wood, ebony, &c. which serve as an asylum for wild beasts, leopards and wild boars, deer and rabbits, a variety of mountain cats, coyotes, serpents and vipers. In the valleys are found a multitude of quails, turtle-doves, pheasants, cranes, parrots, macaws, much esteemed for the beauty of their plumage, and with which the Indians adorn themselves, and an infinite variety of other birds. The rivers, all of which descend from the sierras of Topia, in the rainy season increase to such a degree as to inundate the country for the space of three or four leagues ; and generally remaining out for eight days at least, the Indians are under the necessity of forming for themselves a kind of terrace upon the branches of trees, by means of planks and sods, where they make fires and dress their food. There are many salt ponds, also mines of silver, which are not worked for want of labourers. This province was peopled by several nations of Indians, who had their villages and huts on the sides of rivers. They used to maintain themselves on maize, which they cultivated, afso on calabashes, which are very sweet and savoury, French beans, and a species of wild caroh plant, called by them mesqnites, and which being ground, they used to drink in water, after the manner of chocolate. They had also another delicacy in the plant called mezcalj which resembles the savila ; of this there are several sorts, of which they make wine, sweets, and vinegar ; of its tendrils thread, and of its prickles needles. This country also abounds in nopales, pitahayas, and other plants, including many which are native to Europe. Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was the first who discovered this extensive province in his perigrination, after he had suffered shipwreck in going from Florida to Mexico ; and from his report of it, the viceroy Bon Antonio de Mendoza was induced to send into it some persons to discover more concerning it. In 1590 it was visited by the regulars of the company of Jesuits, who came hither to preach the gospel. They succeeded in making proselytes amongst the natives, and established a regular mission, which was patronized by the Queen Dona Margarita of Austria, wife of Philip III. ; she having sent, for the promotion of the interests of

this* great object, and for the decorations of the altars, &c. several valuable presents of jewels, ornaments, and other precious articles. The capital is the town of San Felipe and Santiago, and the other settlements are,

Montes Claros, Toro,

Real de Alamos, Concepcion,

Bocaverito, Loreto,

Noguera, Navajoa,

Camoa, Tecia,

Guarabe, Tepehue,

Ocosconi, Real de los Fra-

Mocorito, yeles,

San Ignacio, Vaca,

Santa Ana, Toriz,

Achogoa, Cuytes,

Caurimpo, Temoris,

Mocoyaguy, Chinipas,

Chiguaguilla, Valle Umbroso,

Tegueco, Guazapares,

Sivirijoa, Jatebo,

Charay, Guadalupe,

Mochicarui, Mayo,

San Miguel, Canamoas,

Haome, Batacosa.

Santa Maria,

Same name, a river of this province (Cinaloa), which runs to enter the sea in the gulf of CaJiforna, or Mar Roxo de 'Cortes, between the rivers Culiacan and Del Fuerte.

CINAMIN, a river of the province and cap^ tainship of Rio Grande in Brazil. It rises near the coast, and runs into the sea close to the cape of San Roque.

[CINCINNATI, a flourishing town in the territory of the United States, n. w. of the Ohio, and the present seat of government. It stands on the n. bank of the Ohio, opposite the mouth of Licking river, two miles and a half s. w. of fort Washington, and about eight miles w. of Columbia. Both these towns lie between Great and Little Miami rivers. Cincinnati contains about 200 houses ; and is 82 miles n. bye. of Frankfort; 90 n. w. of Lexington, and 779 w. by s. of Philadelphia. Lat. 38° 42' n. Long. 84° IP w.']

[CINCINNATUS is the s. easternmost of the military townships of New York state. It has Virgil on the and Salem, in Herkemer county, on the

e. and lies on two branches of Tioughnioga river, a n. w. branch of the Chenango. The centre of the town lies 53 miles s. w. by w. of Cooperstown, and 39 s. e. by s. of the 5. e, end of Salt lake. Lat. 42° 27'

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