The vender of coca lenves squats dose to lier supply of the drug witli her scales at hand, eyeing 

 prospective customers and looking forward to the haggling that is sure to ensue. The Quichxias consume 

 enormous quantities of this drug, and use vast areas in the cultivation of the plant 



it. Upon reaching- a certain point in 

 each stanza, all the singers clap tlieir 

 hands in time with the music and keep 

 it u]) nntil the end of the refrain. 



The Quichuas enjoy few events so 

 thoroughly as a religious festival. 

 Should the celel)ration he in honor of 

 some favorite saint, the image of the 

 sacred personage is carried through the 

 village streets, and even far out into the 

 country, by a howling, dancing mol), 

 many of whom may be nuisked. A 

 large sup])ly of firecrackers is usually 

 taken alou"- and these are lighted an 



thrown into the air to explode about 

 the saint's head. We frequently met 

 the fanatical processions on the other- 

 wise deserted trails, and it was always 

 difficult to prevent our entire pack 

 train from bolting down the steep 

 mountain-side, and to protect ourselves 



A common market scene. The women squat on the ground, spread out their store of beans, ijota- 

 toes, or other produce, in neat little piles of five centavos' worth apiece, and wait for customers. In 

 weighing their wares, they use a balance with a small stone as a unit of measure 



411 



