136 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 102 



are larger than white figs and covered with spines outside. When 

 the skin is peeled off, the fruit inside is full of little seeds, a bit larger 

 than anise seeds ; it is sweet, well-flavored, healthful, and very re- 

 freshing. Some have the outer skin green and the inner flesh white ; 

 these are the best. Others have a yellowish skin, and others almost 

 tawny, with red flesh ; they have a strong odor and perfume, and if 

 one eats many of them, they tinge the urine so that it looks like blood. 

 This red-fleshed tuna is the one producing cochineal; on its leaves 

 and fruit live tiny insects under a film like a cobweb ; this insect 

 becomes all blood ; and when they have matured and coagulated prop- 

 erly, they pick them off and put them in the sun till they dry and 

 are cured ; then they become the finest cochineal. 



383. There is in the city of Tlaxcala a fine Franciscan convent. 

 They hold many fairs and markets in the city, for cattle, cloth, and 

 other merchandise ; since it is a free city and has other privileges, 

 many flock to it. The Viceroy of New Spain appoints an Alcalde 

 Mayor for it ; at the present moment His Majesty has appointed a 

 Governor and Alcalde Mayor for the city and its provinces, for its 

 satisfactory administration and for the dispensing of justice. 



384. The city of Cholula lies 2 leagues from Puebla de Los 

 Angeles; it is a large city. In its heathen days over 25,000 warriors 

 used to sally forth from it. Today it has a large and wealthy popula- 

 tion, because of the great amount of cochineal, corn, and other prod- 

 ucts raised in its district. It contains two Franciscan convents ; one 

 is very fine and contains many friars ; here they give courses in Arts 

 and Theology ; and since the friars of this convent cannot handle all 

 the catechizing and administering of the Sacraments, there is on the 

 other side of the city another small convent called San Andres, for 

 the religious needs of that quarter. Over 500 Spanish residents live 

 in this city ; they have some woolen mills, where they produce much 

 cloth and grogram. 



385. Three leagues from this city and five from Puebla on the 

 Mexico highway lies the city of San Diego de Huejotzingo, where 

 there is an image of the saint which is very sacred and miraculous and 

 held in highest veneration by the whole country. This city has the 

 same cool climate as the others ; in its district they raise quantities of 

 cochineal, corn, wheat, and other cereals, fruit, and root crops ; it 

 contains a woolen mill ; in the region they raise many sheep, goats, 

 and hogs, and all sorts of other products. 



386. Six leagues farther along the Mexico highway rises the vol- 

 cano Nevado, which in time past has given out quantities of smoke ; 

 connected with it is the Sierra de Tlaxcala which is of the same ele- 



