Ch. IV.] FORMS OF IXDIAX POTTERY. 47 



used ill Nicaragua. The jicara trees grow apart at equal 

 distances, as if planted by man. The hard thin shell of 

 the fruit, carved in various patterns on the outside, is 

 made into cups and drinking- vessels by the natives, who 

 also cultivate other species of jicara, with round 

 fruits, as large as a man's head, from which the larger 

 drinking-bowls are made. In the smaller jicaras choco- 

 late is always made and served in Central America, and, 

 being rounded at the bottom, little stands are made to 

 set them in ; these are sometimes shaped like egg-cups, 

 sometimes like toy washhand-stands. In making their 

 earthenware vessels, the Indians up to this day follow 

 this natural form, and their water-jars and bowls are 

 made rounded at the bottom, requiring stands to keep 

 them upright. 



The meals of Montezuma were served on thick 

 cushions or pillows. This was probably on account of 

 the rounded bases of the bowls and dishes used. The 

 gourd forms of bowls probably often originated in the 

 clay having been moulded over gourds which were 

 burnt out in the baking process. It is said that in some 

 of the southern states the kilns in which the ancient 

 pottery was baked have been found, and in some the 

 half-baked ware remained, retaining the rinds of the 

 gourds over which they had been moulded. Afterwards, 

 when the potter learned to make bowls without tbe 

 aid of gourds, he still retained the shape of his ancient 

 pattern. 



The name, too, like the form, has had a wonderful 

 vitality. It is the " xicalli ' of the ancient Aztecs, 

 changed to " jicara ' by the Spaniards, by which they 

 mean a chocolate-cup ; and even in Italy a modification 



