Chapter II: Part 2

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(Part 3 of 3)
--------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+-----------
| Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Year.
|-----+----+-----+----+-----+----+-----+----+-----+-----
|Days.| mm.|Days.| mm.|Days.| mm.|Days.| mm.|Days.| mm.
--------------+-----+----+-----+----+-----+----+-----+----+-----+-----
Boca del Rio | | | | | | | | | |
Banana | 14 | 109| 15 | 262| 17 | 335| 23 | 481| 220 | 4119
Port Limon | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ?
Gute Hoffnung | 14 | 95| 11 | 106| 16 | 318| 23 | 569| -- | --
La Colombiana | 12 | 129| 11 | 114| 16 | 280| 22 | 564| -- | --
Juan Viñas | 14 | 194| 11 | 121| 19 | 247| 16 | 515| -- | --
Aragon | | | | | | | | | |
(Turialba) | 14 | 298| 25 | 142| 19 | 210| 15 | 475| 225 | 3310
Tuis | 21 | 254| 20 | 134| 19 | 217| 27 | 366| 238 | 2831
San Rafael de | | | | | | | | | |
Cartago | 18 | 97| 9 | 125| 16 | 135| 17 | 164| 172 | 1339
San Diego de | | | | | | | | | |
la Union | 19 | 377| 17 | 239| 16 | 179| 8 | 66| 131 | 1728
La Palma | 21 | 229| 24 | 241| 25 | 360| 29 | 835| -- | --
San Fransisco | | | | | | | | | |
Guadelupe | 21 | 190| 21 | 241| 19 | 304| 11 | 78| 157 | 1721
San José | 23 | 207| 20 | 200| 18 | 300| 8 | 77| 154 | 1642
La Verbena | 24 | 238| 16 | 117| 19 | 260| 5 | 41| -- | --
Nuestro Amo | 21 | 376| 9 | 212| ? | ? | ? | ? | -- | --
--------------+-----+----+-----+----+-----+----+-----+----+-----+-----

The daily curve of rainfall shows a minimum very accentuated in the first half of the day. Rain begins to fall about eleven o’clock, and continues to augment rapidly from hour to hour until it reaches its maximum between four and five o’clock p. m.; from this time on it diminishes gradually until morning. The daily maximum of rain is reached about sunset, although in January the heaviest rainfalls are observed between one and two o’clock p. m. The most probable hour of rain is between four and five o’clock p. m. It seldom rains between three and four o’clock, and very seldom during the morning hours.

Thunderstorms reach their maximum in May. The relative humidity of the air is such that the climate can be considered a favored one. Its annual curve shows three minima and three maxima. The minima are observed between February and March, in July, and between November and December; the maxima in June, September and December. These lines, of course, are parallel with those indicating the distribution of rain. The maximum is noted at sunrise, the minimum at two o’clock p. m., with an average oscillation of twenty-four per cent.

From 1866 to 1880, the rain gauge record kept by Mason at San José shows a yearly average precipitation of sixty-four and one-fourth inches, or 1631 millimeters.

It is as follows:

The Rainfall in San José from 1866 to 1880 in Mm.

-------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+-----
| J | F | M | A.| M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | T
| a | e | a | p | a | u | u | u | e | c | o | e | o
| n.| b.| r.| r | y.| n | l | g.| p | t.| v.| c.| t
| | | | i | | e.| y.| | t.| | | | a
| | | | l.| | | | | | | | | l.
-------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+-----
1866 | 33| 7| -- | 29| 139| 123| 320| 156| 274| 250| 171| 122| 1619
1867 | 98| 56| 7 | 98| 209| 206| 214| 190| 314| 213| 244| 14| 1397
1868 | --| --| 181| 13| 83| 150| 102| 130| 224| 393| 144| 17| 1436
1869 | 7| --| 7| 28| 202| 218| 150| 132| 393| 281| 78| 102| 1562
1870 | 1| 6| 31| 17| 333| 276| 240| 284| 240| 262| 184| 33| 1905
1871 | 28| 3| 8| 13| 290| 203| 364| 307| 245| 333| 114| 11| 1925
1872 | 3| 3| 15| 50| 244| 255| 192| 378| 397| 504| 142| 21| 2197
1873 | 64| --| 3| 71| 64 | 205| 145| 85| 387| 262| 121| 11| 1418
1874 | 46| 1| 20| 60| 336| 167| 162| 181| 319| 191| 42| 20| 1543
1875 | --| --| --| 28| 252| 180| 93| 294| 279| 339| 21| 32| 1492
1876 | 14| --| 11| 6| 247| 237| 153| 192| 206| 117| 70| 28| 1282
1877 | 14| --| --| --| 240| 167| 223| 159| 259| 95| 121| 79| 1357
1878 | --| --| 38| 50| 142| 187| 205| 149| 329| 238| 223| 20| 1580
1879 | 13| --| 45| 192| 220| 330| 460| 283| 351| 231| 61| 8| 2193
1880 | 8| --| --| 15| 254| 210| 104| 436| 165| 278| 92| --| 1562
-------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+-----
Average| 22| 5| 24| 44| 217| 208| 208| 222| 299| 266| 122| 35| 1631
-------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+-----

There is every year a number of slight earthquakes in San José, generally undulating from west to west-northwest, and occurring mostly between eleven p. m. and six a. m. The greatest number are observed at the beginning of the rainy season.

The rainy season on the Caribbean slope of the country does not correspond to that of the Pacific. In fact there are no continuously dry months, and on the northern declivities of the volcanoes of Turialba, Irazú, Barba and Poas, it rains more or less during the entire year; also near Lake Nicaragua it rains nearly continuously, and the mountains of the Guatuso country and the surroundings of the volcano of Orosi are seldom without clouds. At times there are cloud-bursts of tremendous power, broadening rivers for miles. Port Limon is said to have an annual rainfall of eighty-nine inches, but it is greatly exceeded by that of Colon, which averages 120 inches. The mean rainfall at Greytown for 1890, 1891, 1892, was 267 inches yearly. The late United States Commission estimated the average at Lake Nicaragua at eighty inches, and in the basin of the San Juan River at 150 inches.

The climate of Talamanca is for the same reason very unhealthy in the proximity of the coast, and also in the lower course of the rivers a similarly deadly climate prevails. In normal years there are two dry and two wet seasons. The rains commence regularly in May or June and last until the end of July. The months of August and September are more or less dry. In October there are some heavy showers, and extensive rains begin which characterize the months of November, December and January. The driest months are February, March and April. The high region is extremely humid, giving rise to fogs and rains. The mosses which almost completely envelop the stems of the trees are constantly dropping water, and the rivers in this section are almost impassable.

The climate of the great valley of the Rio Grande de Terraba is similar to that described for the terrace lands. Both regions have distinctly marked characters. Rains begin in April, grow heavier towards September, and cease about the end of November. During the rest of the year dry weather prevails, although sometimes heavy showers relieve this arid condition. In the lower zone pronounced radiation causes a heavy dew and extensive fogs, and both are characteristic of this section.

The excessive heat felt on the lowlands diminishes gradually with the rising of the land towards the high mountains, but at times a height of 1500 feet will be found cooler than one of 3000 feet. In the Santa Clara district, for instance, it is cooler at 500 feet elevation than it is in the Reventazon valley at 1500 feet. In general, the torrid lands of the country, ranging from the sea to 150 feet above it, and, if not clear and well-drained, even up to 400 and 500 feet, abound in malarial fevers; but as high ground, having an elevation of from 1500 to 3000 feet is reached, the fevers are of light type and not dangerous, while from 3000 to 5000 feet the diseases are those of the temperate zone, and are due less to local conditions of soil and climate than to personal neglect.

There were no epidemic diseases in 1897. In October 30, 1894, sixteen medical districts were established by law, and so were a number of hospitals and quarantine stations in the ports of the Republic.

III.

CHARACTER OF VEGETATION.

This chapter I begin with a phyto-geographical classification given by Dr. Carl Hoffman and published in Bonplandia in 1858. He distinguishes:

First.—Coast regions (sea shores and salt swamps).

Second.—Regions of tropical forests and savannas, stretching from
the coast regions to a height of 900 meters.

Third.—Regions of high plains, lying between 900 to 1500 meters of
elevation.

Fourth.—Region of upper tropical forests, situated between 1500 to
2150 meters of altitude.

Fifth.—Region of oaks, from 2150 to 2750 meters in height.

Sixth.—Region of chaparrales, from 2750 to 3050 meters up.

Seventh.—Region of subalpine or subandine flora, from 3050 meters
up to the tops of the high mountains.

Dr. Polakowsky enumerates cultivated lands, virgin forests, open forests and savannas.

Another division is given by Dr. Moritz Wagner. He mentions a littoral (as appears on next page) zone, a tropical forest zone and a zone of savannas.

He also distinguishes on the volcano of Chiriqui the following successive regions:

First.—Regions of evergreen forest trees and palms, bananas,
Araceæ, etc., to a height of 550 meters, with an average
temperature of 26° to 24° C.

Second.—Region of tree ferns and mountain orchids, from 550 to 1220
meters, with an average temperature of 23° to 18° C.

Third.—Region of Rosaceæ, Senecionodeæ, Gramineæ and Agave
americana, from 1220 to 1585 meters.

Fourth.—Region of Cupuliferæ and Betulaceæ, mostly oaks and alders,
from 1585 to 3050 meters.

Fifth.—Higher region above 3050 meters.

Dr. Wagner calls special attention to a noted uniformity of the flora on the coasts of both oceans, and Professor Pittier affirms that the vegetation between Colon and Greytown on one side, and between Panama and San Juan del Sur on the other side, is remarkably uniform. The littoral zone has a width of about four maritime miles. The predominating flora is composed of _Rhizophora mangle_, _Hippomane mancinella_, _Cocos nucifera_, _Chrysobalanus icaco_, _Crescentia cujete_, _Acacia spadicigera_, _Cæsalpinia bonducella_ and other _Leguminosæ_; _Acrostichum aureum_, _Ipomœa pescapræ_, _Avicennia nitida_, _Uniola Pittierii_ and also _Euphorbiaceæ_, etc.

The zone of tropical forests shows, especially on the Atlantic side behind the coast region, a strip of from twenty to twenty-two miles in width, with lofty trees of _Rubiaceæ_, _Myrtaceæ_, _Melastomaceæ_, _Sterculiaceæ_, _Euphorbiaceæ_, _Meliaceæ_, _Urticaceæ_, _Moraceæ_, _Anacardiacæ_, _Sapindaceæ_, _Leguminosæ_ and _Palmæ_. It is relatively free from ligneous undergrowth, having more monocotyledonous plants, such as _Cycadeæ_, _Scitamineæ_, _Cannaceæ_, _Marantaceæ_, _Cyperaceæ_, _Filices_ and _Bromeliaceæ_, underneath. The latter orders figure, also with _Orchideæ_ and _Loranthaceæ_ among the epiphytes and parasites which cover the trees. Among the most characteristic plants of this region we name the coyol palm (_Acrocomia_), corozo (_Attalea cohune_), biscoyol (_Bactris horrida_), palmiche (_Elæis melanococca_) and _Raphia nicaraguensis_ which forms almost forests along the River San Juan; further, _Tecoma pentaphylla_, _Bombax ceiba_, _Eriodendron_, _Spondias_, _Croton gossypifolius_, _Hymenæa courbaril_, rubber trees (_Castilloa costaricencis_ and _C. elastica_), _Geoffræa superba_, _Simaba cedron_, species of _Enterolobium_, _Cæsalpinia_, _Liquidambar_, _Copaifera_, _Cedrela_, _Swietenia_, _Sapota_, _Pithecolobium_, _Palicourea_, _Cinchona_, _Piper_, _Ficus_, _Cecropia_; still further, smilax, vanilla, etc. Many of these characteristic plants are largely social, such as the piper, ferns, palms and others.

Moritz Wagner states that all along the southern limits of Costa Rica a likeness of climatic and geological conditions gives to the vegetation a nearly uniform character, while further northward a notable contrast is observed between the Atlantic and Pacific slopes of the mountain groups and on the interior terrace lands. The Atlantic slope, with more constant humidity of air, is characterized by vast, dense, evergreen, virgin forests, while the Pacific lands, with a relatively dry climate and rainless summer, present more open forests and savannas, with many deciduous trees and shrubs. However, deep river valleys and some slopes near the water-shed have dense, evergreen forests, and their vegetation does not differ much from that of the Atlantic slope. The flora of the high terrace lands has been so altered by thorough cultivation as to have almost lost its original character.

The Atlantic virgin forests, as well as those in the region of the San Juan River and of Lake Nicaragua, which comprise two-thirds of Costa Rican territory, show such a dense vegetation that its interior can be penetrated almost only by way of the rivers, and its general character and its enormous extension be studied only from high mountains. Owing to the very mountainous character of the country, over half of its area lies between 900 and 2100 meters above the sea, and is almost wholly covered with virgin forest. This forest here and there ascends still higher, reaching the upper limit of the oak region about 2700 meters above the sea.

Dr. Polakowsky, in an interesting publication entitled “Flora of Costa Rica,” calls the forest region of the San Juan River, in view of its luxuriant character, “The Central American Hylæa,” and this name Professor Pittier applies also to the entire Atlantic region, attributing to it a distinctly South American character.

The zone of the open forests and savannas, which has park-like features, is rarely found away from the Pacific side, where it forms a belt from sixteen to eighteen miles in width, interspersed with more densely forested river valleys, islands of higher and thicker virgin forests, isolated trees or groups of trees, sometimes also with _catingas_ and meadows flecked with shrubs and matorrales.

The savannas and open forests spread to a considerable extent over Guanacaste, where they are a continuation of those of Rivas in Nicaragua; also over the plains of Terraba, especially in the region of Buenos Aires and Terraba; and over the coast-lands of Golfo Dulce. There are some small similar tracts near Alajuela, Turialba, Santa Clara and at some other points, as well as catingas and _paramos_ in the high mountain ridges of the south. The paramos are found on poor soil and have a vegetation more herbaceous than ligneous, which, when moist, takes on the character of turf.

The trees of the savannas are generally of little height, excepting the _Enterolobium cyclocarpum_ (the guanacaste), the pochote and ceiba. The grass lands are almost wholly composed of _Gramineæ_ and _Cyperaceæ_, especially in the savannas of Guanacaste. The most characteristic plants are _Digitaria marginata_ and _Paspalum notatum_, besides species of _Setaria_, _Panicum_, _Eragrostis_, _Andropogon_, _Isolepis_, _Cyperus_, _Rhynchospora_ and _Scleria_, as well as of ferns (_Pteris aquilina_) and _Schizæa occidentalis_.

Other abundant plants in the open forests and savannas are _Compositæ_ (_Zemenia_, _Pectis_, _Spilanthes_); _Rubiaceæ_ (_Spermacoce_); _Polygalaceæ_; _Iridaceæ_; _Moraceæ_ (_Maclura_, _Ficus_); _Melastomaceæ_ (_Miconia_, _Clidemia_, _Conostegia_, _Leandra_); _Cyperaceæ_; _Convolvulaceæ_; _Euphorbiaceæ_; _Bombacaceæ_; _Sauvagesia_. Further, _Myrtaceæ_ (_Psidium_, _Alibertia edulis_); _Curatella americana_ (chamico); _Roupala_ (danto hedliondo); _Byrsonima crassifolia_ (nance); _Miconia argentea DC._ (santa maria); guacimo macho (_Luhea_), guacimo de ternero (_Guazuma ulmifolia_); burio (_Bombax apeiba_); ñambar (_Cocobola_); _Davilla lucida_; _Duranta Plumieri_; _Proteaceæ_; and _Acacia scleroxyla Lonchocarpus atropurpureus,_ _Dalbergia_ and many other _Leguminosæ_, especially _Mimosa pudica_, which gives large tracts in many places a special character, and still more so as, being often very abundant and the plants tangled together, a general movement all around is caused when one is touched.

Among the epiphytes and parasites may be mentioned small ferns, _Peperomia_, _Epidendrum_, _Loranthus_, _Aroideæ_, _Tillandsia_ and other _Bromeliaceæ_, mosses, lichens, etc.

Professor Pittier attributes to this flora of the Pacific slope a more northern origin.

During the dry season the vegetation of the savannas almost disappears, the greater part of the trees and bushes shed their leaves and herbs become dry and brittle. Only along the rivers is some freshness observable. Toward the border of Nicaragua cacti appear, mostly species of _Cereus_, _Opuntia_, _Phypsalis_ and _Mammilaria_. Professor Pittier also mentions an oak forest of _Quercus citrifolia_ between Liberia and the Rio de los Ahogados, at a height of about one hundred meters above the sea. The peninsula of Nicoya is noted for a large lumber industry among its different cedars (_Cedro dulce_, _C. amargo_, _C. real_, etc.), mora and other trees. Towards the upper limits of the Atlantic tropical forests, below the oak region, _Chamædorea_, _Geonoma_, _Bactris_, _Euterpe longepetiolata_ and other palms of the same groups, as well as _Gulielma utilis_ (the pijivalle palm) and _Carludovica microphylla_ are seen in great abundance, mixed with tree ferns like _Alsophylla pruinata_, _Hemitelia horrida_, _Hemitelia grandifolia_, etc. Higher up appears the region of oaks, principally _Quercus retusa_, _Quercus granulata_, _Quercus citrifolia_ and _Quercus costaricensis_, with _Buddleia alpina_, _Rubus_, _Lupinus_, etc. Here is also the region of the common potato. This oak region slopes gradually down from east to west. The vegetation on the summits of the high mountains of Costa Rica is of a marked subalpine character, having a great number of northern genera, as _Vaccinium_, _Pernettya_, _Alchemilla_, _Cardamine_, _Calceolaria_, _Spiræa_, etc.

Certain types of vegetation are often more due to the sterile nature of the soil than to elevation.

Although a northern flora is frequent on the high terraces of San José and Cartago, that character is not general because of the introduction of cultivated tropical and other plants peculiar to Costa Rica.

On the southern high mountains two species of _Podocarpus_ (_P. taxifolia_ and _P. salicifolia_), one of _Alnus_ (_Alnus Mirbelii Spach._) and one of _Weinmannia_ occur quite generally among the oak forests. Other distinct floral groups are represented by the vegetation along roads and fences, on potreros, in cultivated regions and along river shores. The latter especially are rich in herbaceous plants, grasses, bushes and woods of _Bignoniaceæ_, _Myrtaceæ_, _Euphorbiaceæ_, _Mimoseæ_, etc.

The potreros are characterized by _Tagetes_, _Sida_, _Hyptis, olanum_, _Salvia_, _Mimosa pudica_ and _M. sensitiva_, etc. Along fences there grow nearly everywhere _Erythrina corallodendron_, _Yucca aloifolia_, _Bromelia pinguin_, _Agave americana_, _Cereus_, _Spondias_, _Bursera_, _Cestrum_, etc.

Prominent characteristic plants, besides the already mentioned species and genera, are the _Piperaceæ_ and _Melastomaceæ_; further, species of _Iriartea_, _Bactris_ and _Raphia_ of the palm order, and _Alsophylla_, _Schizæa occidentalis_ and _Pteris aquilina_ of the ferns; still further _Castilloa costaricana_, _Gunnera insignis_, _Ochroma lagopus_, _Gliciridia_, _Inga edulis_, _Chusquea maurofernandeziana_, _Erythrina corallodendron_, _Drymis Winterii Forst._, _Acacia Farnesiana_, etc.

The passage from one flora to another is one of insensible gradations. Cultivated lands, as already stated, do not show any longer the original vegetation.

The plants which are now mostly cultivated are: _Coffea arabica_ (coffee), _Saccharum officinarum_ (sugar cane), _Zea mays_ (corn), _Musa paradisiaca_ and _Musa sapientium_ (bananas), _Phaseolus_ (beans), _Oryza sativa_ (rice), _Solanum tuberosum_ (potato), _Nicotiana tabacum_ (tobacco), _Batatas dulcis_ (sweet potato), _Lycopersicum esculentum_ and _Lycopersicum Humboldtii_ (tomatoes), _Capsicum annuum_ (chile), _Ananas sativa_ (pine-apple), _Carica papaya_ (papaya), _Persea gratissima_ (aguacate), _Anona cherimolia_ (cherimoya), _Manihot aipi_ and _Manihot utilissima_ (yucca or mandioca), _Indigofera anil_ (indigo), _Gossypium barbadense_ (cotton), _Cichorium Intyous_ (chicory), _Asparagus officinalis_ (asparagus), _Psidium guava_ (guayaba), _Mammea americana_ (mamey), _Theobroma cacao_ (cacao), etc.

Before giving the lists of the woods, tannings, dyeings, gums, balsams, resins, rubber, waxes, textile and medicinal plants, oils and oil seeds, etc., of Costa Rica, it is advantageous to research to name those collectors and scientists who, having traveled through Costa Rica or established themselves there, have especially contributed to the knowledge of the natural resources of the country. They are Professor H. Pittier, A. S. Oersted, Dr. C. Hoffmann, Dr. H. Polakowsky, Dr. M. Wagner, Captain J. Donnel Smith, C. Warszewicz, Neudland, A. Tonduz, P. Biolley, Dr. A. von Frantzius, Dr. Franc Kuntze, Professor W. M. Gabb, José C. Zeledón, Anastasio Alfaro, Juan J. Cooper, and Bishop Bernardo Augusto Thiel, D. D.

Native Names of the Woods of Costa Rica.

Acacia,
Aceituno,
Aceituno blanco,
Aguacate blanco,
Aguacatillo,
Aguilla,
Algarroba,
Almendro,
Alvahaquilla,
Amapola,
Amarillo,
Anona colorado,
Anonilla,
Anono,
Arco,
Arbol colorado,
Arbol de la leche,
Aromo,
Arrayan,
Asca,
Avellano,
Aya,
Aya blanco,
Aya colorado,
Azaharillo,
Azulillo.

Balsa,
Balsamito,
Balsamo,
Balsamo negro,
Barillo,
Bateo,
Berenjena,
Brasil moral,
Brasil negro,
Brazil,
Brazil de clavo,
Brazil nacar,
Burio,
Burillo.

Cachimbo,
Cacique,
Cacique amarillo,
Cacique pardo,
Caimito,
Camibar,
Campana,
Campanilla,
Cañafistola,
Canasto,
Canela or Canelon,
Canjura,
Cantarillo,
Caobana,
Copalillo,
Capulin,
Caragua,
Carao macho,
Carao silvestre,
Carboncillo,
Carbon fino,
Carne,
Caroto,
Cas,
Cascarillo,
Casco-cafe,
Castaño,
Castorcillo,
Cedro amargo,
Cedro blanco,
Cedro caoba leon,
Cedro cirrus,
Cedro claro,
Cedro cubano,
Cedro dulce,
Cedro dulce claro,
Cedro dulce-ondulado,
Cedro jaspeado,
Cedro macho,
Cedron,
Cedro naranjeña,
Cedro ondulado,
Cedro pochote,
Ceiba,
Cerillo,
Cerro,
Chancho,
Chaparro,
Cherre,
Chaperno,
Chaperno amarillo,
Chaperno blanco,
Chaperno veteado,
Chavecho,
Chicha,
Chilamate,
Chile,
Chilillo,
Chirraca,
Cirri,
Clavellina,
Cobola,
Cocobola,
Cocobola ñambar,
Cocora,
Colloso,
Comenegro de monte,
Conchudo,
Copal,
Copalchi,
Copalite verde,
Copulchin,
Copulchin blanco,
Coquito,
Corazon,
Corazon de leon,
Cordoncillo,
Carnezuelo,
Corteza,
Corteza amarilla,
Corteza blanca,
Corteza de venado,
Corteza negra,
Cristal,
Cristobal,
Cuajiniquil,
Cuascua,
Cucaracho,
Culebra,
Cura,
Curacha.

Damas,
Dantisco,
Danto,
Danto amarillo,
Danto barcino,
Danto blanco,
Danto hedliondo.

Encino roble,
Escoba,
Escobillo,
Escobo,
Esparei,
Espavel,
Espino blanco.

Flor blanca,
Flor de aroma,
Frijolillo,
Fruta de pava,
Fubus,
Furru,
Fustete.

Gavilan colorado,
Gavilan,
Gavilancillo,
Gallinazo,
Genizaro,
Golondrino,
Guachazo negro,
Guachipilin,
Guachipilin claro,
Guachipilin oscuro,
Guachi raton,
Guacimo,
Guacimo amarillo,
Guacimo blanco,
Guacimo macho,
Guacimo monillo,
Guacimo ternero,
Guanacaste,
Guapinol,
Guapinol tierno,
Guatil or Jagua,
Guavo,
Guavo silvestre,
Guayabillo,
Guayabito,
Guayacan,
Guayacan amarillo,
Guayacan de costa,
Guayacan oscuro,
Guayavo,
Güitite.

Habilla,
Haya,
Higuera,
Hormigo,
Huesillo,
Hule.

Ira,
Ira amarillo,
Ira blanco,
Ira bofo,
Ira colorado,
Ira mangle,
Ira, rosa.

Jaboncillo,
Jamaico,
Jaul,
Jicaro,
Jiñocuave,
Jobo,
Jorobado,
Juaquiniquil.

Lagartillo,
Lagarto,
Lagarto amarillo,
Lagarto negro,
Landal,
Lentisco,
Lentisco oscuro,
Laurel barcino,
Laurel claro,
Laurel espino,
Laurel negro,
Laurel oscuro,
Laurel pardo,
Laurel veteado,
Llema de huevo,
Lliguatil,
Lloro,
Lloron,
Lloron puire,
Lope,
Lorito.

Madera de hierro,
Madera negra,
Maderon,
Madroño blanca,
Madroño corteza,
Madroño de comer,
Makenge,
Malacahuite,
Malacahuite blanca,
Mangle,
Mangle morigüite,
Manglero,
Mango,
Mano,
Manzana rosa,
Manzanillo,
Marañon,
Maria,
Mario,
Mastate,
Mastatillo,
Mayo,
Melon,
Molenillo,
Mora decipina,
Moral blanco,
Moral leonado,
Moral listado,
Moral negro,
Morante,
Mora punteado,
Morate,
Mora tinta,
Muñeco,
Muñeco macho,
Murta.

Ñambar negro,
Nance,
Nance tricore,
Nancite,
Nancite colorado,
Naranjillo,
Naranjito,
Nispero amarillo,
Nispero colorado,
Nispero espino,
Nispero negro.

Ocotillo,
Ojoche,
Olmo.

Pacaya,
Pacaya baton,
Palanco amarillo,
Palanco nudoso,
Palma,
Palma de mano,
Palma real,
Palmiche,
Palo azul,
Palo de sal,
Palo frio,
Palo jabon,
Papaturro blanco,
Papaturro negro,
Papayo almendro,
Papelillo,
Paraiso,
Pastora,
Pava,
Pava macho,
Pavilla veteado,
Peine de mico,
Pejivalle,
Piedrilla,
Pipa or Mora blanco,
Plomillo,
Pocara,
Pochote,
Poro cerrado,
Poroporo,
Pure.

Quajiniquil,
Quiebracha colorado,
Quiebra hacha,
Quina,
Quita calzon,
Quitirri,
Quizarra amarillo,
Quizarra baboso,
Quizarra bofo,
Quizarracillo,
Quizarra clara,
Quizarra barcii,
Quizarra ira,
Quizarra negro,
Quizarra quina,
Quizarra zopilote.

Ramal,
Raspaguacal,
Raton,
Raton blanco,
Ratoncillo,
Resino,
Roble,
Roble angular,
Roble de la laguna,
Roble de sabana,
Roble encino,
Ronron,
Ronron veteado.

Sabino,
Sandalo,
Sangre de toro,
Sangre de drago,
San Juan,
San Juan dulce,
San Juanillo,
Sierrillo,
Siete cueros,
Siete cueros machos,
Simaruba,
Sirri,
Siva,
Sota caballo.

Tamarindo,
Targua,
Ticuarri,
Tirra,
Torco,
Tres huevos,
Tuiquisirrie.

Uiscoyol or Viscoyol,
Uruca or Teregre.

Varablanca,
Viscoyol (palm).

Yabo,
Yabo blanco,
Yas,
Yocote iguana,
Yos.

Zapote mico,
Zapotillo,
Zapotillo danto,
Zenicero,
Zenicero-ocre,
Zorillo.

Native Names of the Medicinal Plants of Costa Rica.

Acedera,
Agra,
Ajo,
Alcornoque,
Albahaca,
Alcotan,
Algabia,
Algabia or Abelmoscus,
Almendro (Papayo colorado),
Almendrillo aromatico,
Alucema,
Amapola,
Anisillo,
Anona,
Anonillo,
Apasote,
Apasote de mexico,
Artemisa.

Balsamito,
Balsamo copal,
Balsamo negro,
Barbasco,
Barbas ilote (Cabello de maiz),
Borraja.

Cacao gigante,
Camibar,
Campanilla blanca,
Canchalagua,
Canchillo,
Candelillo,
Canela,
Caña gigantea,
Caña agria,
Caña fistula,
Capitana,
Capitaneja,
Carao,
Cardo santo amarillo,
Cardo santo blanco,
Chamomila,
Cola de alacran,
Contrayerba,
Copal,
Copalchi,
Copalchi guisarra,
Copey,
Cordoncillo,
Cornezuelo,
Croton,
Cucanillo,
Culantrillo.

Doradilla.

Eneldo,
Escoba blanca,
Escorzonera,
Esparto.

Fierrito,
Frutas de cornezuela.

Guacamayo,
Guachara,
Guacimo negro,
Guaco,
Guaco redondo (vine),
Guas molenillo,
Guanacaste,
Guapinol,
Guayacan amarillo,
Guarumo,
Guizaro.

Higuerilla,
Hanojo,
Hojasen,
Hombre grande.

Inga carao,
Ipecacuanha.

Jabillo,
Jabon vegetal,
Jinote terebinto,
Jobo amarillo,
Jiquaitil,
Juanilama.

Laurel real,
Lechuguilla or Carraja,
Lengua de ciervo,
Lengua de vaca,
Liquidambar,
Llanten,
Lombricero.

Majaguilla,
Malva,
Manzanilla,
Marango,
Marañon,
Matasano,
Mejorana,
Meloncillo,
Michoacan,
Mozote de caballo.

Naranja,
Naranja agria,
Nuez moscada.

Ojoche macho,
Ojoche rojo,
Oregomo,
Orosus,
Ortiga.

Palo leche,
Paraiso,
Petrona,
Peine de mico,
Pichichio solano,
Pie de venado,
Platanillo,
Pochoche macho,
Polipodio.

Quina,
Quina colorado,
Quassia hombre grande.

Raiz de toro,
Reina de la noche,
Romero,
Ruda,
Ruibarbo.

Sacaguacal,
Sacate limon,
Sagu,
Salvia,
Samo,
Sangre de drago colorado,
Sangre de toro,
Sarsaparilla,
Sanco,
Sensitiva,
Simaba cedron,
Simaruba,
Suelda con suelda.

Tamarindo,
Tapate,
Tarsana,
Tiguilote,
Tuete.

Uña de gato.

Valeriana,
Vainilla,
Velvet,
Venado,
Verbena,
Vetiver,
Viborana.

Yerba buena,
Yerba culebra,
Yerba mora,
Yerba té,
Yerba tora.

Zacate de limon,
Zacate de olor,
Zarza,
Zarzon,
Zenizero,
Zarzaparilla,
Zorrillo.

Native Names of Costa Rican Tanning and Dyeing Plants.

Native Names of Costa Rican Gums, Resins, Rubber, Etc.

Native Names of Costa Rican Oilseeds.

Almendro,
Algodon,
Ajonjoli,
Biscoyol,
Coco,
Colza,
Coyol,
Coquito,
Corozo,
Cacahuete,
Higuerilla,
Lino.

Native Names of Costa Rican Textile Plants.

IV.

FAUNA.

In regard to the _fauna_, there are in Costa Rica about one hundred and twenty-one species of mammalia, of which ten are domesticated and four of _Mus_ introduced, leaving 107 as indigenous to Costa Rica.

There are only a few species peculiar to Costa Rica, and also but a small number peculiar to Central America, among which are the _Tapirus dowi alston_ and three species of monkeys. About one-fifth of the total number also belong to South America and one-seventh to North America. The rest are found as well in North as in South America. With respect to the avifauna, there are 725 known species. This great variety of the avifauna is due to especial climatic conditions, to the very rich flora, to the geographical position between two oceans and to the vicinity of so many islands of the Caribbean Sea.

It is composed of 67 Neoarctic species, which are also found in the north of Mexico; of 247 Neotropical or South American species, of 260 autochthonous or exclusively Central American species, and 128 newly described species which live as well in the northern as in the southern continent. The rest, comprising 23 species, have a doubtful origin. The best singing birds are the Gilguero, Yigüerro, Toledo, Mozotillo, Cacique, Mongita, Comemaiz, Setillero and Agüillo.

There are over 130 species of _Reptilia_ and _Batrachia_ in Costa Rica. Those known and described are 36 _Batrachia_, 28 _Lacertilia_, 60 _Ophidia_ and 6 _Testudinata_. Poisonous snakes are the Toboba, Bocaracá, Oropel, Terciopelo and Cascabel.

Costa Rica is also very rich in _Fishes_. Those in the Pacific are almost entirely different from those of the Atlantic Ocean. Also its tributary waters have more varied species than those of the Atlantic slope.

In correspondence with the varied topographical, climatological, and botanical conditions of Costa Rica is also the _invertebrate fauna_. And here the National Museum, under Mr. Anastasio Alfaro, and the “Instituto fisico geografico Nacional.” under Professor H. Pittier, are doing equally excellent work in bringing them to our knowledge, as they have done like service in other branches of Natural History.

The most interesting species of the fauna in Costa Rica among the mammalia are the monkeys (_Mycetes palliatus_, _Ateles geoffroyi_, and _Cebus hypoleucus_), the tigre (_Felis onca_), marrigordo (_Felis pardalis_), puma (_Felis concolor_), the coyote (_Canis latrans_), tigrillo (_Urocyon cinereo_), pisote (_Nasua narica_), martilla (_Cercoleptes caudivolvulus_), comadreja (_Mustela brasiliensis_), chulomuco or tolumuco (_Galictis barbara_), Zorro hediondo (_Conepatus mapurito_), nutria or perro de agua (_Lutra felina_), manati or vaca marina (_Trichecus australis_), danta (_Elasmognathus bairdii_ and _E. Dowi_), salimo (_Dicotyles tajacú_) cari blanco (_Dicotyles labiatus_), venado (_Dorcelophus clavatus_), cabro de monte (_Mazama temama_), ardillas (_Sciurus hypopyrrhus_, _Sc. æstuans hoffmanni_, _Sc. Alfari_), puerco espino (_Synetheres mexicanus_), guatusa (_Dasyprocta isthmica_, _D. punctata_), tepeizcuintle (_Coelogenys paca_), conejo (_Lepus graysoni_, _L. gabbi_), perico ligero (_Bradypus castaneiceps_), perezoso (_Choloepus hoffmanni_), armado de zopilote (_Dasypus gymnurus_), armadillo (_Tatusia novemcincta_), oso hormiguero (_Myrmecophaga jubata_), oso colmeno or tejon (_Myrmecophaga tetradactyla_), serafin de platanar (_Cyclothorus didactylus_), zorro pelon (_Didelphis marsupialis aurita_), zorro isi (_Marmosa cinerea_) and zorrito de platanar (_Marmosa murina_).

Among the birds the following may be mentioned, following the enumeration of José C. Zeledón: The sensontle (_Mimus gilous_), the jilguero (_Melanops_), the yigüerro (_Turdus grayi_), the picudos (_Cæreba cyanea_ and _C. lucida_), the rualdo (_Chlorophonia callophrys_), the caciquita (_Euphonia elegantissima_), the monjita fina (_Euphonia affinis_), and other species of _Euphonia_; further pipra mentalis, la viuda (_Tanagra cana_), el cardenal (_Pyranga leucoptera_ and _P. rubra_), cyanospiza, sps., alcalde mayor (_Rhamphocœlus_) the oropéndula (_Ocyalus waglieri_ and _O. montezumæ_), the choltote or trupial (_Icterus pectoralis_ and _I. giraudi_), the rajon (_Cotinga amabilis_), colibris or gorriones (_Trochilidæ_), the quetzal (_Pharomacrus costaricensis_), resplandor (_Muscivora mexicana_), the curré (_Ramphastus carinatus_), the quioro (_R. tocard_), the curré verde (_Aulacorhamphus cæruleigularis_), carpintero (_Campephilus guatemalensis_ and _Centurus hoffmanni_), the lapas rojas and lapas verdes (_Ara militaris_ and _Chryosotis diademata_, _C. guatemalæ_ and _C. auripalliata_), the periquitos (_Conurus petzii_ and _Brotogerys tovi_).

Further mention is made of the aguila (_Trasætus harpyia_), camaleon (_Falco sparverius_), carga-hueso (_Polyborus cheriway_), the rey de zopilote (_Gyparchus papa_), the zopilote (_Catharista atrata_) and the zonchiche (_Cathartes aura_). To these may be added the tortolita (_Columbigallina passerina_), the pavon (_Crax globicera_), the pava (_Penelope cristata_), pava negra (_Chamæpetes unicolor_), the codorniz (_Ortyx leylaudi_) and chirraxua (_Denitortyx leucophrys_); still further, the martin peña (_Ardea virescens_) and other garza (_Tigrisoma cabanisi_, _Nycticorax americanus_, _Gallina aquatica_, _Eurypyga major_), zarzetas (_Numenius_ and _Totanus_); also the pijijes (_Totanus flavipes_ and _Charadrius vociferus_), the patillo (_Colymbus dominicus_), the piche (_Dendrocigna autumnalis_), pelicanos and alcatraz (_Pelecanus_), etc.

We have further to mention the great turtles from both oceans, the (_Nacar de perlas_) or pearl shells from Golfos Dulce and Nicoya, the oysters from Puntarenas, the purple snail (_Murex_), also sponges, corals, etc.

THE ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS.

Colonel George Earl Church says in regard to the Indians: “There are many indications that Costa Rica was once the debatable ground between the powerful Mexican invader and the warlike Caribs of northern South America.”

“The Caribs were a tall, muscular, copper colored race who, when the New World was discovered, occupied the coast from the mouth of the River Orinoco to that of the River Amazon, and stretched inland over all the half-drowned districts and far up the valley of the Orinoco. Their nomadic spirit led them to the conquest of many of the Windward Islands, and, I am disposed to believe, urged them to invade all the countries bordering the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico having estuaries and rivers which could be penetrated by their war canoes. These carried from twenty-five to one hundred men each and were of sufficient size to make long voyages.”

Along all the Caribbean coast districts of Yucatan, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Chiriqui, and throughout the province of Panamá, the Carib has left traces of his presence.

It is evident that an offshoot of the highland Mexican race pressed south and east from Chiapas, Mexico, into and through the long strip of the Pacific coast occupied by the Chorotegas or Mangues, followed the Pacific slope of the Cordilleras and the narrow space between Lake Nicaragua and the Ocean, penetrated into northwestern Costa Rica, settled and helped the Mangues to develop a considerable civilization in the district of Guanacaste and Nicoya, and in part subdued all the volcanic region lying north and west of the valley of the River Reventazon.

It is notable that inhabitants of volcanic countries crowd around the slopes of its volcanoes, due probably to the fertilizing quality of the ejected ash.

The Mexicans have left abundant traces of their language in Costa Rica, especially throughout its northern half. Many of their words are now in common use and incorporated into the Spanish spoken there. Notably such words occur in the names of plants, animals and geographical localities.

In 1569 the Adelantado Peráfan de Rivera made an elaborate detailed enumeration of the Indians and found their total number to be 25,000.

Mr. M. de Peralta says the Nahuas (Aztecs) and Mangues (Chorotegas), Güetares, Viceitas, Térrabas, Changuenes, Guaymies, Quepos, Cotos and Borucas were the principal people who occupied the territory of Costa Rica at the time of the conquest. The Nahuas came from the north, and if the Mangues did not go from Chiapas, it is necessary to infer that from the Gulf of Nicoya and the shores of the lakes of Nicaragua and Managua they extended to the south of Mexico, where, up to a few years ago, their language was spoken at Acalá.

The Mangues, or Chorotegas, at the time of the Mexican invasion, occupied the peninsula of Nicoya and all the lands surrounding the gulf of that name. They were then, no doubt, the most powerful and advanced people in Costa Rica, and carried some of their arts, such as pottery, sculpture, weaving, and tilling the ground, to greater perfection than any people occupying the region between their territory and that of the Chibcas on the table-land of Colombia. In their graves are found gold ornaments and specimens of the ceramic art showing taste in design superior to any that the present civilized Costa Rican Indian can manufacture. These graves also contain beautiful specimens of obsidian, greenstone and even finely wrought jade tools and jade ornaments, knives, axes, arrowheads, amulets, rings and a multitude of stone idols, seats, etc. The Mangues appear to have manufactured gold extensively into jewelry.

The Güetares made their homes on the slopes of the Turialba. Irazú and Barba to the southeast of the Mexicans and Chorotegas, and, in a less degree, they shared in the skill and advancement of the latter, but their pottery was inferior in artistic method and quality of material and workmanship, judging from collections in the National Museum of Costa Rica.

Peralta says, “The Nahuas and Mangues of the regions of Nicoya have completely disappeared, although the first still survive in Mexico, and the latter are represented here and there by a descendant in Masava (Nicaragua) and in Acalá (Chiapas).” The Nahuas (Aztecs) left notable monuments of their material civilization and of their scientific attainments, and a language that served as the instrument of a cultivated and thoughtful race.

During the colonial period the Spaniards, in several efforts to explore the River Frio, were driven back by the Guatuso Indians, who still occupy the greater part of its valley and the slopes of the volcanic mountains. It was not until 1856 that a small expedition penetrated across the country to the Rio Frio from the mouth of the River Arenal, a branch of the San Carlos. They reported fertile, hilly slopes in its upper reaches, and beautiful plains for most of the distance traversed to its mouth.

The rubber collectors of Nicaragua for many years have ascended the Rio Frio and other rivers in canoes and plundered the settlements, plantations and property of the Indians, forcing them to retire further up the river. The Guatusos live in _palenques_ (stockades), and their houses are similar to the maloccas among Amazon tribes. Each palenque shelters several families, who cook their food at separate fires built on the ground. They live principally on plantains, yucca, maize, sugar cane, cacao, game and fish, the latter being abundant in the Rio Frio. They also cultivate and smoke tobacco.

Their weapons are bows, arrows, stone axes, and wooden knives. They drink _chicha_, made by fermenting roasted green plantains, and also _chicha mascada de maiz_. As the bishop of Costa Rica, Dr. Bernardo A. Thiel, a very noted ethnologist and archæologist, says:

“The Guatuso country is probably one of the most delightful portions of Costa Rica. Every tropical product can be grown there in abundance, for the lands are immeasurably rich and the climate one of the best in the tropical belt.”

The last census of the Guatuso Indians is as follows:

----------------------------+-----+-------+----------+-------+--------
Palenques. | Men.| Women.| Children.| Total.| Graves.
----------------------------+-----+-------+----------+-------+--------
_On the river Tojifo_: | | | | |
Tojifo | 26 | 12 | 9 | 47 | 25
Margarita | 24 | 13 | 17 | 54 | 60
Pedro Joaquin | 15 | 11 | 13 | 39 | 101
Sabara | 8 | 5 | 7 | 20 | 18
Culolo | 9 | 8 | 4 | 21 | 23
Napoleon | 8 | 5 | 3 | 16 | 36
| | | | |
_On the river Cucaracha_: | | | | |
Juana | 8 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 26
| | | | |
_On the river La Muerte_: | | | | |
Congo | 10 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 9
La Muerte | 8 | 3 | 1 | 12 | --
| | | | |
_On the river Pataste_: | | | | |
San Juan | 5 | 1 | 1 | 8 | --
Grecia | 11 | 4 | 2 | 17 | --
----------------------------+-----+-------+----------+-------+--------
Total | 132 | 70 | 64 | 266 | 298
----------------------------+-----+-------+----------+-------+--------

Of the Talamanca Indians, Professor H. Pittier distinguishes two tribes, the Brilio and Cabécar. The first live in the valleys and mountains of Urén and Arari and along the lower course of the Coen River, while the Cabécars dwell in the upper parts of the Coen. Other Indians, probably of the Tiribi tribe, live in the upper part of the Teliri valley.

The Talamanca Indians have a higher grade of civilization than the neighboring Boruca or Brunca and Térraba Indians.

The Bribris have good traditions and numerous legends of their past.

The census of the Talamanca Indians is as follows:

-----------+------+--------+-------+---------
| Male.| Female.| Total.| Married.
-----------+------+--------+-------+---------
Lari | 263 | 269 | 532 |
Coen | 172 | 176 | 348 | --
Teliri | 67 | 71 | 138 | 2
Urén | 424 | 393 | 817 | 44
-----------+------+--------+-------+---------
Total | 926 | 909 | 1835 | 50
-----------+------+--------+-------+---------

The Térrabas and Bruncas or Boruca Indians are located on the Pacific slope of the Talamanca mountains, and especially in the great valley of the Diquis or Rio Grande de Térraba, although there are also a few Indian palenques in the neighborhood of the Chirripo. The Borucas or Bruncas are dolichocephalic. The men are large, the women short and plump. They are more intelligent and active than the Tishbi of Térraba. Professor Pittier counted in the Boruca valley and at Palma, Punta Mala and La Uvita 65 to 75 ranchos scattered around, with about 389 inhabitants, while he found 50 to 60 ranchos with about 250 inhabitants in the town of Térraba and 25 to 30 ranchos with about 300 inhabitants in the town of Buenos Aires. There are also some Indians near the Golfo Dulce.

Taken in all, about 4000 uncivilized Indians are estimated to remain in Costa Rica.

VI.

POPULATION.

The population of Costa Rica is nearly all white and mostly descendants of Spaniards from Galicia. The Indians are not numerous and are completely distinct from the civilized race. The Negroes and mixed breeds live almost exclusively on the coast-lands.

The Costa Ricans are a well formed, robust and healthy people with regular features. The women are gracious, have splendid eyes and abundance of hair, and appear affable in manner. The men are intelligent, industrious, economical, honest and peaceable, as well as polite, truthful and generous. They respect order and property, love to work, and are proud of their wealth and of the independence of their nation.

Every Costa Rican owns property of some kind. The better class of women follow in their dress the fashions of Europe; the lower classes have gowns of muslin or calico, and wear petticoats, rebozos and very often panama hats. Some adorn themselves with earrings and other jewelry and some wear shoes.

The men dress in European style. The lower class, consisting of hard-working farmers, owners of small coffee plantations and ox-carts and oxen for internal traffic, wear coarse cloth coats, drill or cotton trousers, and straw or felt hats. Most of these people go barefooted.

The houses of the wealthy have all modern conveniences. Those of the poorer classes are nearly comfortless. They are mostly low and built of adobes, with a roof of tiles, and are arranged in regular streets crossing each other at right angles. The public buildings are spacious and ornamental.

Among the principal buildings in San José are the New National Theatre, in which about 1,000,000 pesos were invested; the National Palace; the Palace of Justice; the Executive Mansion; the Episcopal Palace; the National Distillery; the Market; the University; the High School for Young Ladies; the High School for Young Men; the Custom House; the Mint, etc.

The city possesses charitable institutions, such as hospitals, orphan asylums, insane asylums, etc., all under the management of corporations and associations constantly laboring for their improvement. The cemeteries are under the supervision of charitable associations. There are several parks, a Museum, a Public Library and scientific, legal, medical, literary and musical societies, an International Club and a German Club, etc.

The streets are mostly macadamized or paved with stones and lighted by electricity. Nearly every city is well-supplied with water conducted through pipes.

The food of the poor comprises meat, beans, corn, rice, tortillas and plantains.

Saturday is the especial market day of the cities, and from sunrise till noon the market-places are crowded with sellers and buyers. Here can be found all kind of vegetables and fruits, potatoes, corn, beans, coffee, tobacco, sugar, cheese, meat and other food, besides earthenware, hammocks, hats, rebozos, charcoal, etc.

The population of Costa Rica in 1897 was calculated to be 288,769, as follows:

90,940 inhabitants in the Province of San José.
67,972 ” ” ” Alajuela.
45,161 ” ” ” Cartago.
37,603 ” ” ” Heredia.
23,769 ” ” ” Guanacaste.
8,925 ” ” Comarca de Limon.
14,399 ” ” ” Puntarenas.

The last census, that of 1892, gave 243,205 as the entire population of the Republic.

The following table shows the population of the different “cantones” in 1892 and 1897:

Province of San José.
-------------+--------+--------
Canton. | 1892. | 1897.
-------------+--------+--------
San José | 39,112 | 46,410
Escazú | 6,522 | 7,735
Desamparados | 6,471 | 7,616
Puriscal | 6,845 | 8,092
Aserri | 6,030 | 7,140
Mora | 5,814 | 6,902
Tamazú | 2,583 | 3,070
Goicoechea | 3,341 | 3,975
-------------+--------+--------
Total | 76,718 | 90,940
-------------+--------+--------

Province of Alajuela.
-------------+--------+--------
Canton. | 1892. | 1897.
-------------+--------+--------
Alajuela | 19,300 | 22,967
San Ramon | 9,928 | 11,781
Grecia | 8,797 | 10,472
Atenas | 6,208 | 7,373
San Mateo | 3,353 | 3,986
Naranjo | 6,847 | 8,092
Palmares | 2,770 | 3,296
-------------+--------+--------
Total | 57,203 | 67,967
-------------+--------+--------

Province of Cartago.
-------------+--------+--------
Canton. | 1892. | 1897.
-------------+--------+--------
Cartago | 25,898 | 30,821
Paraiso | 7,819 | 9,282
La Union | 4,256 | 5,058
-------------+--------+--------
Total | 37,973 | 45,161
-------------+--------+--------

Province of Heredia.
--------------+--------+--------
Canton. | 1892. | 1897.
--------------+--------+--------
Heredia | 16,480 | 19,635
Barba | 2,964 | 3,522
Santo Domingo | 5,118 | 6,069
Santa Barbara | 2,845 | 3,379
San Rafael | 4,204 | 4,998
--------------+--------+--------
Total | 31,611 | 37,603
--------------+--------+--------

Province of Guanacaste.
-------------+--------+--------
Canton. | 1892. | 1897.
-------------+--------+--------
Liberia | 5,883 | 7,021
Cañas | 2,165 | 2,570
Bagaces | 1,476 | 1,749
Santa Cruz | 5,948 | 7,021
Nicoya | 4,577 | 5,438
-------------+--------+--------
Total | 20,049 | 23,799
-------------+--------+--------

Comarca de Limon.
-------------+--------+--------
Canton. | 1892. | 1897.
-------------+--------+--------
Limon | 7,484 | 8,925
-------------+--------+--------

Comarca de Puntarenas.
-------------+--------+--------
Canton. | 1892. | 1897.
-------------+--------+--------
Puntarenas | 8,869 | 10,472
Esparta | 3,298 | 3,927
-------------+--------+--------
Total | 12,167 | 14,399
-------------+--------+--------

The following table shows the constant natural increase of the population, beginning with the year of 1868:

1868 131,510
1869 134,416
1870 137,387
71 140,423
72 143,525
73 146,696
74 149,937
75 153,250
76 156,636
77 160,097
1878 163,633
1879 167,248
1880 170,943
1881 174,720
1882 178,581
1883 182,528
1884 188,895
1885 195,483
1886 202,297
1887 209,357
1888 216,650
1889 224,250
1890 232,034
1891 240,126
1892 248,500
1893 257,155
1894 266,122
1895 275,400
1896 285,003
1897 288,799

The population of Costa Rica prior to 1868 was as follows:

1864 120,499
1844 79,982
1835 74,565
1826 61,846
1778 24,536

Costa Rica being a country of immense resources, with great opportunities for success in industrial, agricultural and commercial enterprises, it may be interesting to know its smaller subdivisions, called _barrios_ or districts, as presented in the following table, taken from the latest census, that of 1892:

Province of San José.

_Canton de San José._

--------------------------------+---------------+----------------+-------
Barrios, etc. | Males. | Females. |Total.
--------------------------------+---------------+----------------+-------
Ciudad {Distrito del Carmen | 1,941} | 2,243} |
or { ” La Merced | 2,713} 9,265 | 2,544} 10,061 | 19,326
Capital de { ” Catedral | 1,758} | 2,095} |
San José. { ” Hospital | 2,853} | 3,179} |
| | |
Barrio de San Pedro | 1,273 | 1,418 | 2,691
” de San Juan | 1,061 | 1,236 | 2,297
” de Curridabat | 957 | 973 | 1,930
” de Zapote | 485 | 509 | 994
” de San Isidro | 974 | 997 | 1,971
” de San Vicente | 797 | 867 | 1,664
” de Alajuelita | 1,428 | 1,416 | 2,844
” de San Francisco | 286 | 276 | 562
” de Uruca | 675 | 737 | 1,412
” de San Jeronimo | 187 | 169 | 356
” de Mata Redonda | 456 | 486 | 942
” de Hortillo | 194 | 180 | 374
” de San Sebastian | 361 | 434 | 795
” de Las Pavas | 470 | 484 | 954
--------------------------------+---------------+----------------+-------
Total | 18,869 | 20,243 | 39,112
--------------------------------+---------------+----------------+-------

_Canton de Escazú._

-------------------------+-------+---------+--------
Barrios, etc. | Males.| Females.| Total.
-------------------------+-------+---------+--------
Villa de Escasú (Centro) | 440 | 521 | 961
Barrio de San Antonio | 741 | 757 | 1,498
” de San Rafael | 835 | 870 | 1,705
” de Santa Ana | 761 | 699 | 1,460
” de Salitral | 475 | 423 | 898
-------------------------+-------+---------+--------
Total | 3,252 | 3,270 | 6,522
-------------------------+-------+---------+--------

_Canton de Desamparados._

-----------------------------------+-------+---------+-------
Barrios, etc. | Males.| Females.| Total.
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+-------
Villa de Desamparados (Centro) | 556 | 651 | 1,207
Barrio de San Juan de Dios | 486 | 512 | 998
” de San Miguel | 479 | 515 | 994
” de San Cristobal | 191 | 238 | 429
” de San Rafael | 384 | 391 | 775
” de Rosario | 226 | 205 | 431
” de Patarra | 225 | 209 | 434
” de Los Frailes | 186 | 215 | 401
” de San Antonio | 385 | 417 | 802
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+-------
Total | 3,118 | 3,353 | 6,471
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+-------

_Canton de Goicoechea._

-----------------------------------+-------+---------+-------
Barrios, etc. | Males.| Females.| Total.
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+-------
Villa de Guadalupe (Centro) | 667 | 702 | 1,369
Barrio de San Francisco | 161 | 182 | 343
” de Ipsis y Purral | 260 | 298 | 558
” de Blancos y San Gabriel | 277 | 303 | 580
” del Charco y Rancho Redondo | 146 | 117 | 263
” de Mata de Platano | 103 | 125 | 228
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+-------
Total | 1,614 | 1,727 | 3,341
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+-------

_Canton de Puriscal._

-----------------------------------+-------+---------+-------
Barrios, etc. | Males.| Females.| Total.
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+-------
Villa del Puriscal (Centro) | 597 | 604 | 1,201
Barrio de San Rafael | 398 | 373 | 771
” de San Pablo | 371 | 319 | 690
” de Barbacoas | 245 | 224 | 469
” de Desamparaditos | 234 | 257 | 491
” de San Antonio | 299 | 299 | 598
” de San Juan | 234 | 211 | 445
” de Grifo Alto | 216 | 212 | 428
” de Grifo Bajo | 176 | 183 | 359
” de Mercedes | 358 | 316 | 674
” de Candelarita | 366 | 353 | 719
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+-------
Total | 3,494 | 3,351 | 6,845
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+-------

_Canton de Aserri._

-----------------------------------+-------+---------+-------
Barrios, etc. | Males.| Females.| Total.
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+-------
Villa de Aserri (Centro) | 587 | 652 | 1,239
Barrio de Monte Redondo | 265 | 258 | 523
” de Pirris | 49 | 52 | 101
” de San Ignacio | 428 | 399 | 827
” de La Legua | 189 | 132 | 321
” de Sabanillas | 320 | 270 | 590
” de Cangrejal | 176 | 170 | 346
” de Tarbaca | 195 | 171 | 366
” de Cacao | 198 | 199 | 397
” de La Ceiba | 97 | 78 | 175
” de Ococa | 105 | 90 | 195
” de Poas | 124 | 125 | 249
” de Guaitil | 251 | 223 | 474
” de Palmichal | 114 | 113 | 227
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+-------
Total | 3,098 | 2,932 | 6,030
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+-------

_Canton de Mora._

-----------------------------------+-------+---------+--------
Barrios, etc. | Males.| Females.| Total.
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+--------
Villa de Pacaca (Centro) | 435 | 456 | 891
Barrio de Los Altos y Tienfres | 369 | 332 | 701
” de Jateo | 166 | 164 | 330
” de Brasil | 138 | 140 | 278
” de Guajabo y Jaris | 416 | 452 | 868
” de Rodeo | 53 | 53 | 106
” de Morado | 283 | 295 | 578
” de Tabarcia | 261 | 238 | 499
” de Picagres | 190 | 198 | 388
” de Piedra Blanca | 206 | 201 | 407
” de Piedras Negras | 388 | 380 | 768
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+--------
Total | 2,905 | 2,909 | 5,814
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+--------

_Canton de Tarrazú._

-----------------------------------+-------+---------+--------
Barrios, etc. | Males.| Females.| Total.
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+--------
Villa de San Marcos (Centro) | 437 | 378 | 815
Barrio de San Pablo | 241 | 230 | 471
” de San Andrés | 111 | 93 | 204
” del General | 149 | 135 | 284
” de Santa Maria | 432 | 377 | 809
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+--------
Total | 1,370 | 1,213 | 2,583
-----------------------------------+-------+---------+--------

Province of Alajuela.

_Canton de Alajuela._

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The Republic of Costa RicaChapter II: Part 2

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