INVESTIGATIONS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMElllCA. 1 



same as that from which tlic forfiUas are baked, of the size of a dumpling, which 

 is then flattened to the shape of a hand. It is then enveloped in a plantain leaf, 

 tied with a string made of the fibre of the leaf, and put in a kettle to boil : when 

 cooked, it is eaten hot. 



Among the aborigines, water is handed round before each meal to the members 

 composing the party. The females never eat with the males, but generally near 

 the fire after the males have done. The water is handed for the purpose of wash- 

 ing the fingers, which have to take the place of our eating utensils, for whicli there 

 is no occasion, as small pieces of tortillas, bent in tlie shape of a scoop, serve as a 

 spoon or a fork with which to eat the boiled beans or fried eggs. Neither is there any 

 necessity for a knife, the meat, if any is eaten, coming from the hearth in small 

 pieces, which are torn apart by the fingers. There are no tables or chaire in the 

 aboriginal dwellings; but the basket, or TniMcal containing the warm tortillas, 

 wrapped in a napkin, is placed on the floor, around whicli the males sit on small 

 low logs of wood. The beans, with or without any addition, are portioned out by 

 the mother and handed in a small huacal to the males, each one of whom helps 

 himself to the tortillas. 



After the conclusion of each repast, fresh water is handed again, to rinse the 

 mouth and to clean the teeth. 



Fresh water is never drunk by the aborigines; chocolate or pinol, which I shall 

 mention later, being used as a beverage at the meals and between times. 



The inhabitants, not only of Guatemala but also of otlier parts of Central Amer- 

 ica, disrobe themselves entirely on going to bed. This is done by every one, poor 

 or wealthy, those of the latter at least who inhabit the " country." Whether the 

 wealthier class in the cities adopt the same custom, I do not know; but it was from 

 the owners of haciendas that I flrst ascertained the fact. The reason given for this 

 habit is the desire to escape from the fleas which, hiding themselves in the folds of 

 any covering, would evade detection, and be the more troublesome. 



All the salt produced in Salinas is carried away on the backs and heads of men, 

 who come for it, (many from great distances,) and sell it at home or in a suitable 

 market. In Guatemala, everything, with the exception of grain, A^egetables, and 

 sugar, — which are transported on beasts of burden, — is carried on the heads of 

 men, there being no cart-roads of any length except that from the port to the 

 capital. The articles to be carried are adjusted into a package higher than wide, 

 and secured by a net called red. To the back part of this pack, near its base, is 

 fastened a strap of raw hide, the two ends of which are attached to another 

 strap called tajxil, of the size and form of a large liand. The burden is placed 

 on a stone or some other elevated object, and the man, stooping down, puts the 

 ta2Mil on the top of his head, and lifting his burden, trots oft" with it. When a 

 pater familias going on a journey has baggage to carry, either his wife; or one of 

 his children accompanies him to carry his provisions. A professional carrier 

 dispenses with such company, and secures his provisions on the top of the load. 

 In most instances his food consists of tortillas and a few peppers as a condiment, 

 to which exceptionally some boiled beans are added. Carriers always take with 

 them in a little bag some meal of toasted maize mixed with scraped brown sugar 



