INVESTIGATIONS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA. 27 



coast, and in travelling southward to visit the two aboriginal tribes of Terrava and 

 Borucca. These two tribes are interesting on account of having preserved their 

 independence and even resisted the priestly sway. They do not respect a priest 

 unless clothed with the priestly gown, and expect him to wear it all the time. 

 One of their curates sitting in the hammock, without his robe, was attacked by his 

 parishioners, and had to use his gun to save himself from injury. On that account 

 they are most of the time without a priest, as it is difficult to find one willing 

 to go there, and if he does, he soon leaves. They are also hostile to all strangers 

 and even peddlers. If one gets tliere, he is suffered to remain but a short time. 



On market days Cartago is frequented by natives, whose heads, both of tlie 

 males and females, are covered witli our fashionable " plug hat," with the excep- 

 tion that its shape is that of the fashion ui the beginning of this century, that is, 

 broad on the top and narrow at the brim. 



In my advance to the Atlantic, I passed the purely Indian village of Turialba, 

 the inhabitants of which have entirely lost their native tongue. Near by were 

 some remains of ancient edifices, but no sculptures, excepting an implement like 

 those I have seen — a stone for crushing maize, standing on feet which were carved; 

 and a stone two feet long and one foot wide with a mythical animal in low relief. 

 I was informed that the year previous an "idol," five feet high was found. I was 

 likewise informed that at a distance of six miles were other more extensive 

 remains of ancient edifices and burial places of the ancients. In f\ict in every 

 village I heard similar accounts, which would prove a dense population in previ- 

 ous ages. 



The cura of Turialba had the kindness to allow me to accompany him on his 

 official visit to the aboriginal village of Kukri (Tukurigue) to read mass there. 

 He is obliged to celebrate it every other Sunday, for which he gets paid by the 

 government. Costa Rica is the only state of Central America and in all America, 

 and perhaps in the so-called civilized world, where the priests are paid by the 

 government. The natives contribute only exceptionally. In Kukri the cura did 

 not even receive his food from the community. While he was staying there a 

 woman was appointed to prepare the food he had to bring with him. Now and 

 then a woman would bring him an egg or some yucca. It is quite the reverse 

 with the other states of Central America, and especially Guatemala, where the 

 natives devote to the priest most of their earnings, and almost adore him. 



The inhabitants of Kukri are the remains of a mighty tribe, which they call 

 Sakawhuak (Germ, spell.), wliile the inhabitants of Orosi, another village belong- 

 ing to the same tribe, name it Sechewhuak (Germ, spell.). Their principal food 

 consists of yucca, yams, and sweet potatoes. They raise also plantains and bananas. 

 Tortillas are scarcely ever eaten, most likely on account of the great trouble required 

 to make them and that of planting maize, as the people seemed very indolent. 

 They raise pigs, and kill once in a while one of their cattle. They smoke the meat 

 to preserve it, while in other parts of Central America the usual custom is to desic- 

 cate it in the sun. 



Their favorite occupation is strolling through the woods with bow and arrow, 

 in the use of which they are experts, hunting game. The fish are usually caught 



