CHAPTER XXVI.
THE ALAMEDA OF VERA CRUZ.--TROPICAL GROWTHS.--THE PALO DE LECHE AND ITS PECULIARITIES.--A DANGEROUS PLANT.--FOUNTAINS AND WATER-CARRIERS.--GOVERNOR'S PALACE.--BRIEF HISTORY OF VERA CRUZ.--PILLAGED BY PIRATES AND CAPTURED IN WARS.-- FORTRESS OF SAN JUAN DE ULLOA.--HORRORS OF A MEXICAN PRISON.--EXCURSION TO JALAPA.--THE NATIONAL BRIDGE.--CERRO GORDO.--GENERAL SCOTT'S VICTORY.--JALAPA.--A CITY OF MISTS.-- STAPLE PRODUCTS OF THE REGION.--JALAP AND ITS QUALITIES.-- PRETTY WOMEN.--PECULIARITIES OF THE STREETS.--ORIZABA AND PEROTE.--NEW RAILWAY CONNECTIONS.--TAMPICO AND ANTON LIZARDO.--DELAYED BY A NORTHER.--DEPARTURE BY STEAMER.-- FAREWELL TO VERA CRUZ. 410