FRANCISCAN CONVENT. 17 



In the eastern part of the city is situated a second, but 

 much smaller market, where the merchants, if such they 

 may be called, sit cross-legged before a piece of straw mat- 

 ting, upon which is displayed for sale beans, maize, fruits, 

 etc. Here, also, is the abode of the pottery and leather 

 trade in Merida. 



Near this smaller market is the old Franciscan convent, 

 built on the site of an ancient temple. It stands on an 

 eminence, and is enclosed by a high stone wall, now in 

 ruins. It is now called the Castillo, and is used as barracks 

 for a regiment of soldiery. It was once a powerful factor 

 among the people, and its walls sheltered three hundred 

 Franciscan monks; but by the new constitution obtained by 

 the revolutionists in Spain, in 1820, the monks were driven 

 out, their order destroyed, and they themselves obliged to 

 flee for their lives. Inside the convent the noise of an anvil 

 could be heard, and several Mestizos were seen at a black- 

 smith's forge. This convent contains one memorial of far 

 more interest than the old convent. In one of the corridors 

 going north is seen that peculiar arch so puzzling to arch- 

 aeologists — two sides rising to meet each other, and cov- 

 ered, when within about a foot of each other, by a flat 

 layer of stones. 



On the afternoon of our third day in Merida we left 

 that city for Tekanto to visit Col. Glenn's railway camp, he 

 having reported that region as abounding in interest to the 

 naturalist and antequarian. The scenery "was the same as 

 that about Merida — flat and dry. At dusk we reached 

 Tekanto, and were met there by the colonel's locomotive, 

 which was to convey us from the latter place to the con- 

 struction camp. A twenty minutes' ride brought us to the 

 camp, and we alighted in front of a freight-car, in which a 

 bountiful supper, and the colonel also, was waiting to re- 

 peive us. While the meal was in progress we took a mental 



