INVESTIGATIONS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA H 



first in importance and quantity is a kind of blanket, used in tlie daytime as a 

 mantle and at night as a covering; tlie second is the material for jackets, and the 

 third is used as a sweat cloth for riding animals and beasts of burden. These 

 articles are used not only tliroughout the Republic of Guatemala, but also in the 

 neighboring States, and tliey are even exported to South America. 



One of the communities noted for raising sheep and cattle which I visited is at 

 Serchil, 9000 feet above the sea. All the inhabitants, who live in dwellings more 

 or less distant from one another, are weavers. They have not yet learned to con- 

 struct chimneys to their kitchens, in which they stay Avorking all day. In conse- 

 quence of this many suffer with sore eyes, as the kitchen is always filled with 

 smoke, the fire burning all day on account of the chilly air. 



A very noteworthy product of these regions is a variety of maize, the ears of 

 which are a foot long, with eighteen rows of large pale-yellow kernels. It ripens 

 in elevations where the thermometer does not indicate over seventy degrees Fah- 

 renheit, and in less time than any other variety. Its green stalk contains so much 

 saccharine substance that it is chewed by the inhabitants in the same manner as the 

 sugar-cane in hot regions. The immense value of this maize for countries where the 

 ordinary varieties do not mature, and its importance as a fodder plant, were to me 

 so striking that I wrote about it and sent a small quantity of it to the Department 

 of Agriculture at Washington. 



The manufacturing in Los Altos is done by the mixed race, known as laJinos ; 

 the majority of the inhabitants, however, are pure Indians, whole communities 

 being exclusively composed of them. The love of independence is shared by all in 

 a higher degree than in other sections of Guatemala. In the Indian communities 

 it becomes evident by their distrust and hatred of every foreigner, manifested on all 

 occasions. The ravages of the cholera were for example attributed to the poison- 

 ing of the springs by foreigners, and some travelling Englishmen were murdered 

 on that account. I have experienced this animosity on several occasions. 



In the village of Atitlan, wliich I visited expressly to ascertain whether the lake 

 of the same name has any outlet, I was questioned as to my motives, undoubtedly 

 from the fear that I might profit by the water, or in some way injure it. The 

 inhabitants, purely Indian, were engaged in the preparatory celebration of the 

 coming feast day of the village patron. Saint James, with the dance of the Moors, 

 in costume. This costume consisted of a head-dress, representing either a turban, 

 or a cap with feathers, or a crown, — a short mantle, mostly of silk, adorned with 

 spangles, and an imitation of gold braids, hanging from the shoulders, fringed pan- 

 taloons, and a Toledo sword borne in the hand. The dance itself consisted in walk- 

 ing on the floor of a spacious building in file, with measured steps, very much like 

 the Polonaise. The assembled company was regaled with chicha, a kind of beer 

 brewed from maize and chocolate. This dance is very much in favor with the 

 Indian population of Guatemala, and is practised in large villages on the occasion 

 of celebrating the feast of the village patron saint. The custom was probably 

 acquired from the Spaniards. 



One of the villages most noted for its enmity against foreigners is Todos Santos. 

 All its inhabitants are Indians, with the exception of two weavers of the mixed 



