40 The Naturalist in Nicaragua 
vessels by the natives, who also cultivate other species of 
jicara, with round fruit, as large as a man’s head, from which 
the larger drinking-bowls are made. In the smaller jicaras 
chocolate is always made and served in Central America, 
and, being rounded at the bottom, little stands are made 
to set them in; these are sometimes shaped like egg-cups, 
sometimes like toy washhand-stands. In making their 
earthenware vessels, the Indians up to this day follow this 
natural form, and their water-jars and bowls are made 
rounded -at the bottom, requiring stands to keep them 
upright. 
The meals of Montezuma were served on thick cushions 
or pillows. This was probably on account of the rounded 
bases of the bowls and dishes used. The gourd forms of 
bowls possibly originated from the clay being moulded over 
gourds which were burnt out in the baking process. It is 
said that in the Southern States the kilns in which the ancient 
pottery was baked have been found, and in some the half- 
baked ware remained, retaining the rinds of the gourds over 
which they had been moulded. Afterwards, when the 
potter learned to make bowls without the aid of gourds, he 
still retained the shape of his ancient pattern. 
The name, too, like the form, has had a wonderful vitality. 
It is the “ xicalli ” of the ancient Aztecs, changed to “ jicara ” 
by the Spaniards, by which they mean a chocolate-cup; and 
even in Italy a modification of the same word may be heard, 
a tea-cup being called a chicchera. 
On the top of one of the hills we just got a glimpse of a 
small pack of wolves, or coyotes, as they are called, from the 
Aztec coyoil. They are smaller than the European wolf, 
and are cunning, like a fox, but hunt in packs. They looked 
down at us from the ridge of the hill for a few moments, then 
trotted off down the other side. Their howlings may often 
be heard in the early morning. 
Cattle, horses, and mules are bred on these plains. Male 
asses are kept at some of the haciendas. They are not 
allowed to mix with any of their own kind, and are well fed 
and in good condition; but they are only of small size, and 
the breed of mules might be greatly improved by the intro- 
duction of larger asses. 
The vegetation on the plains was rapidly drying up. Many 
