PEOPLE OF MEXICO. 103 



and covering the bare arms. The mestizos constitute the 

 majority of farmers (rd:;/(://^r^j-), and mule-drivers {arrieros.) 

 They are very pleasant and are destined, some day, to 

 rule Mexico. 



Another type of the Mexicans are the Leporos. These 

 are the worst type of Mexicans, combining, as they do, the 

 worst vices known to man. They are black, have long and 

 unkempt hair, and are alive with vermin; they are said to 

 abhor water, seldom change their clothes, and»are, upon 

 the whole, disgusting and dangerous citizens of the Repub- 

 lic. At one time they were the terror of Mexico, but good 

 government is now reducing their number greatly. They 

 will steal, murder, pick your pocket, or commit any other 

 of the acts known to creatures of the criminal class. 



Another common Mexican sight is the honest aqttador, 

 or water-carrier, who, with his leathern armor and earthern 

 jars, is seen on almost every Mexican street. All the 

 water of the city is brought in aqueducts, and is to be ob- 

 tained only at fountains. The aquador is then an absolute 

 necessity, and is made welcome by all. He sells his jar of 

 water for five cents, and seems to do a thriving business. 



Animal life about the valley of Anahuac was very 

 meagre. Of the Mollusca, He/ix aspersa, Succinea cam- 

 pest r is (Lake Texcoco), Limnceit attenuata (Lake Chalco), 

 Planorbis temiis Physa osculans (all lakes), Valvata humer- 

 alis (all lakes); of the reptiles and batrachians, Sceloporus 

 7nicroIepidotiis, S. scalaris, Eutceiiia insigniart(?n, and Am- 

 blystoma Mcxicanujn were common. This last, commonly 

 called the ^a:<?/(?// (pronounced ah-ho-lotl) is eaten by the 

 poorer classes; its flesh is white and resembles that of an 

 eel; it is quite savory and wholesome. Of birds, we saw 

 few wild, save the ducks. 



