YUCATAN CIVILIZATION. 59 



clent name of Maya, and call themselves a Macegual in- 

 siead cf a Yucateco. 



Before leaving Yucatan, a few words in regard to its 

 civilization may not be deemed inappropriate. The popu- 

 lation numbers about 500,000, and is mostly native. Be- 

 sides its churches, convents, and public buildings, it has 

 thirteen newspapers, several electric light plants, telephone 

 exchange, street cars, and six lines of railway, viz: two 

 lines from Merida to Progreso, one narrow and the other 

 wide guage; a line from Merida to Ticul, one from Merida 

 to Peto, one from Merida to Calkini, and one from Merida 

 to Sotuta. There are also in the state eight cities, fifteen 

 towns, one hundred and fifty villages, three hundred and 

 fifty haciendas, and over one hundred ruined cities, besides 

 numerous abandoned settlements. 



Late on the afternoon cf the 23rd, we left Progreso for" 

 Veracruz. Our trip across the Gulf was without any no- 

 table event. During the evenings, which we spent on deck, 

 we were interested in studying the phosphorescence which 

 could be plainly seen as the vessel sped along. This was 

 caused by myriads of little animals, whose bodies gave off 

 the silvery light. Chief among these animals were the 

 minute xreatures called by naturalists Noctiluca, ani- 

 mals belonging to the Sub-Kingdom Protozoa. Other 

 animals, such as larval mollusks, Acalephs, and some fishes, 

 contributed toward this light. It was sometimes so intense 

 as to make the light of the stars seem dim in comparison. 

 On the 24th we reached Frontera, and were compelled to 

 wait all day for the little steamer, which brings off passen- 

 gers and freight from the town. Leaving Frontera we headed 

 toward Veracruz, expecting to reach there on the 25th. 



My evenings were all spent on deck enjoying the fresh 

 and invigorating sea air, and in silent contemplation of 

 nature. The phosphorescent water could be plainly seen 



