30 A NATURALIST IN MEXICO. 



however, from insect pests; it was quite impossible to sleep 

 on account of the mosquitos; they fell upon us by myriads, 

 and without much noise^ came straiglit at cur faces. To add 

 to our discomfort, the place was a perfect nest of fleas, and 

 other pests too numerous to mention. 



The day following we reached Sitilpech, and about 

 noon of March 0th we reached Izamal, three miles from 

 the camp. As we entered the town our eyes turned invol- 

 untarily to an immense mound rising grandly above the 

 tops of the houses. It measured seven hundred feet long 

 and sixty feet high. The whole of this structure was over- 

 grown with trees and small shrubs, which aided us greatly 

 in our ascent. The top of this mound commanded a grand 

 view of level plains and undulating woodlands. This 

 structure, like all those of Yucatan, was a truncated pyramid, 

 terraced on one side, and descending perpendicularly to the 

 ground on the opposite side. A wide and elaborate stair-- 

 case once led to its summit, but this was now in ruins. 



Opposite this mound, at a distance of a few yards, was 

 another of lesser size, but containing a gigantic head cut 

 in bas-relief. It was seven feet in height, and the same in 

 width. The expression of the face was stern and re- 

 pulsive. 



On the north side of the plaza stood the church and 

 convent of the Franciscan monks, on an elevation. 

 Two flights of stone steps led up to it, opening upon an 

 area fully two hundred feet square; on three sides of this 

 square was a colonnade, forming a noble promenade, over- 

 looking the town and surrounding country for a great 

 distance. This elevation was probably artificial, and not 

 the work of the Spaniards. 



About 1 o'clock we again took up our line of march 

 toward the camp, and arrived there three hours later, after 

 suffering severely from the excessive heat. On the same 



