NO. I BLACK FLIES OF GUATEMALA — DALMAT 31 



fig. 2) or fans (sopladores) for ventilating the fires. These are made 

 from the reeds (tul) that had been collected from the streams, dried, 

 and stripped to remove the pithy heart. While carrying on any of 

 these activities, or while just relaxing in front of his house, the worker 

 is always subject to the bites of the flies. The simuliids are omnipres- 

 ent on the finca, whether it be in the region of the rancheria (groups 

 of native huts), at the beneficio or patios, in the woodlands, or on 

 the coffee fields themselves. 



Although the clothing worn by Indians of different regions varies 

 in design and quantity, it usually follows a general pattern (pi. 5, 

 fig. i). The women wear a type of blouse (giiipil) that fits loosely 

 over the torso, leaving the neck and arms exposed, a skirt consisting 

 of a 5^-yard length of woven cloth (corte) wound tightly over the 

 blouse and around the waist, and a waistband (banda) which keeps 

 the skirt in place. The women sometimes use a cloth on their head 

 or may intertwine strips of cloth with their braids, but they never wear 

 footgear. The color and style of the giiipil and the color and pattern 

 of the skirt are distinct for almost every municipality. 



The men generally wear a cotton shirt, cotton trousers, a hat made 

 of palm straw, and sandals (caytes). Some use a black, sleeveless, 

 woolen cape (gaban). During the cooler parts of the day they may 

 also don a jacket. While working in the fields, many or all of the 

 upper garments are often removed, and the trousers are turned up. 



The children usually are dressed like their parents, although they 

 may often be seen with little or no clothing, depending on the climate. 

 In general, the type of clothes worn by the men, women, and children 

 leaves them vulnerable to bites on the head, neck, arms, legs, and feet. 



It is practically only to the coffee plantations that onchocerciasis in 

 Guatemala is limited. Thus, in San Pedro Yepocapa those people who 

 live and work in the town and do not work on, or visit regularly, the 

 surrounding fincas are free of onchocerciasis. In an attempt to ex- 

 plain this, the makeup of a finca should be discussed. 



The terrain of the finca is usually divided between gentle slopes, 

 steep hills, and numerous ridges separated by deep valleys (barrancos) . 

 These areas are constantly being altered by extreme erosion, by deposi- 

 tion of volcanic ash and dust, and by earthquakes. Most fincas have 

 several rapid-flowing streams and numerous rivulets crossing their 

 terrain (pi. 5, fig. 2). However, there are several fincas, known as 

 "dry fincas," which have no surface water other than the rain. Some 

 fincas usually conduct the necessary water from the nearest river 

 sources to the village (comprising all finca buildings) via metal or 

 bamboo tubes, or transport it in barrels. Beneficios for coffee or sugar- 



