136 A NATURALIST IN MEXICO, 



after a good deal of pretentious pantomime, the fair seiiorita 

 appears to realize the purport of all his worry, and seems 

 gradually to yield to his silent importunities. This is 

 called "Playing the Bear." There is also the language of 

 the fan, of the flowers, of the fingers, all of which are 

 pressed into the service of the young couple-. A small book 

 is sold in the stores of Mexico which contains a printed 

 code of the significance of certain flowers, a "dumb alpha- 

 bet" for the fingers, and the meaning of the motions of the 

 ever Feady fan. The gradual opening of a fan signifies 

 reluctant forgiveness, a rapid flirt scorn, an abrupt closing 

 signifies vexation, and the striking of it with the palm of 

 the hand expresses anger. In short, the fan can be more 

 eloquent than words if in the hands of a Mexican senorita. 

 This, however, is only preliminary. All parents are pre- 

 sumed to be absolutely opposed to all lovers' wishes, and 

 great diplomacy is consequently required. This game often 

 continues for a twelvemonth before anything is consum- 

 mated. The charm in this kind of courting seems to be in 

 its secrecy and difficulties, both real and assumed. 



Between the lofty peak of Orizaba and the Cofre de 

 Perote there exists many traces of a very numerous popu- 

 lation, which must have occupied the country long previous 

 to the time of Cortez. This locality is abundantly sup- 

 plied with water, is fertile to an extraordinary degree, and 

 possesses an exceptionally healthy climate. The remams of 

 stone dwellings are to be found here, which must have laid 

 here ruined for many centuries. Huge oak trees, four feet 

 in diameter, are found growing among the ruins, proving 

 their age. A number of stone pyramids have been found 

 here also, some ten, others fifty feet in height; several of 

 these have been opened and found to contain skeletons 

 and highly decorated rooms. Why this locality is not 

 used for agricultural purprses is a puzzle. 



