64 Natural History Bulletin. 



altliougii a vast amount of liquor is consumed in tlie warious 

 cafes. 



The Cubans are not living" at such a killing rate as theii" 

 brethren of the North, and it is a surprise to the latter to see 

 large rooms filled during business hours with men playing 

 dominos with the greatest assiduity. Ver}' little drunken- 

 ness was seen on the streets, in spite of the great amount of 

 drinkin"' indulired in. and aside from the lotteries, which of 

 course are legalized, there is little external evidence of vice. 



The men are small and rather slender on the average, many 

 of them wath strikingly handsome faces, particularly the eyes. 

 They are well dressed as a rule, and are much more graceful 

 and easy in their movements and attitudes than Americans. 

 Their negligee costume of trousers and light shirt, with a bit 

 of color in the woven sash gathered around the waist, is cool, 

 sensible and picturesque. Many of the store-keepers and 

 clerks appear rather indifferent as to whether they sell you 

 anything or not. as if the}- regarded the saving of trouble, 

 incident upon your refusal to buy, as an offset to the gain the}- 

 would realize on the sale. 



Cuban ladies are seldom seen on the streets during the day- 

 time, and never without an escort, which is usually in the shape 

 of a grey-haired and solemn-looking duenna. When riding 

 in the city they are often seen puffing cigarettes, and in some 

 cases even cigars. It is doubtful, how^ever, whether we saw 

 many ladies of the higher rank in walking about the city, 

 especially in the daytime. 



Havana boasts a number of well kept and attractive parks . 

 The one nearest the harbor is the '' Plaza de Armas," front- 

 ing on the Governors residence. A statue of Ferdinand 

 adorns the centre of this beautiful little park, which is taste- 

 fulU' laid out and contains many attractive fiowers. Probably 

 the most beautiful tree in the world for park ornamentation. 

 Pionciaua rco-/a is abundant in Havana, and its rich masses of 

 scarlet blossoms add greatly to the charm of the public 

 grounds. 



The municipal palace itself is a not very pretentious struc- 



