SANTA CRUZ. 37 



the north lay the buildings composing the hacienda, con- 

 cealed among a grove of palms and ceiba trees. 



In the afternoon we visited several newly constructed 

 wells for geological information. On the road we saw a 

 number of huge mounds, but as our time was limited we did 

 not stop to examine them. In the evening, at sunset, the 

 scene was lovely. The groups of tall palms, the large ceiba 

 trees relieved against the golden sky, the native huts sur- 

 rounded with trees, and the background of dense forest, all 

 softened by the mellowed light of the magical half-hour 

 after sunset, formed a picture indescribably beautiful. 



On the 12th we returned to Merida, and from thence 

 took the Merida and Peto railroad for Ticul. On our way to 

 Merida from Santa Cruz, the railroad officials allowed us the 

 unusual privilege of having the train stopped wherever we 

 wished to study a good cut. And all this for science! On 

 our way to Ticul we were delayed several hours by a de- 

 railed tender. Arriving at Ticul we were received by Sefior 

 Fajada, and given rooms in his mercantile house for our 

 use during our stay. We took our meals at a caf^ near the 

 plaza. 



The town of Ticul was worthy the visit of any of our 



European travellers. The first time I looked upon it from 



the roof of the convent, it struck me as the perfect picture 



of stillness and repose. The plaza was overgrown with 



grass; a few mules were pasturing upon it, and now and 



then a single horseman crossed it. The roof of the convent 



was on a level with, or above, the tops of the houses, and 



the view was of a great plain, with houses of one story, flat 



roofs, high garden walls, above which orange, lemon, and 

 plantain trees were growing, and the only noise was the 

 singing of the birds. All business was done early in the 

 morning or toward evening, and through the rest of the day, 

 during the heat, the inhabitants were within doors, and it 

 might almost have passed for a deserted town. 



