10 A NATURALIST IN MEXICO. 



steam-pump, a strange object to see beside so antique a 

 well. Several tree-like vines were growing in the court, 

 and upon the ground several bright plumaged birds were 

 feeding. After eating a light breakfast we left the hotel to 

 look about the city. 



Merida is a city of about forty thousand inhabitants, 

 situated twenty miles from Progreso. It stands on a great 

 plain, on a surface of limestone rock, and the temperature 

 and climate are said to be very uniform. The general 

 aspect of the city is Moorish, as it was built at a time when 

 the Moorish style prevailed in Spanish architecture. The 

 houses are large, generally of stone, and one story in 

 height, with balconies to the windows, and large court- 

 yards. The windows are invariably barred, which give the 

 houses a prison-like aspect. In the center of the city 

 stands the p/aza ?naJor, or great square. This is about six 

 hundred feet square. The east side is occupied by the 

 cathedral and the various quarters of the bishop. On the 

 north stands a long, low, two-storied building, the lower 

 story occupied by stores, restaurants, and offices. The 

 upper story is devoted to private dwelling apartments. On 

 the west is the government municipal building, its front 

 supported upon arches, the long colonnades giving it an im- 

 posing appearance, it being a handsome stone building of 

 good dimensions. On the south is a building which at- 

 tracted our attention as soon as we entered the plaza. It 

 is distinguished by a richly-sculptured ^^ayade of very curious 

 design. The subject represents two knights in armor, 

 standing on tl^e shoulders of naked figures, probably rep- 

 resenting the conquering Spaniard trampling upon the 

 fallen native. It is i)robably native work from Spanish 

 design. In this fayade is a stone with the following in- 

 scription: 



