MONTE ALBAN AND MITLA 397 



human figure, which to the novice look like Egyptian or Assyrian work. 

 There are pyramids with rude passages leading through them and also 

 chambers, perhaps basements of larger buildings with entrances of 

 primitive construction. There are no arches anywhere. Floors, which 

 in most cases are of a hard cement, resembling modern Portland cement, 

 are still in a good state of preservation. Considering the fact that it is 

 only recently that these ruins have been uncovered, it is not at all 

 improbable that neighboring mountains may also have their ruins of 

 temples and palaces. 



mm 





Fig. 6. Hall of Mosaics. 



There is nothing to eat or drink on Monte Alban; consequently 

 those to whom twelve o'clock brings a restlessness which scenery and 

 ruins can not relieve had better carry a lunch. 



A trip to Mitla can be arranged any day. The six-horse coach with 

 four horses abreast in front and two horses in the rear, is the usual 

 means of transportation. Such a coach, which will carry four persons, 

 can be hired for two days for $18 to $25 Mexican money. 



About an hour's ride from Oaxaca is the little village of Tule. 

 Even the ordinary tourist must stop here to see the big tree in the 

 churchyard (Fig. 2), but the botanist should leave Oaxaca early by the 

 little tram car and study the tree an hour before the rest of his party 

 arrive. The tree is gigantic, measuring 154 feet in circumference six 

 feet from the ground. This means more than 50 feet in diameter, thus 



