DWELLIxVG-HOUSES. 205 



properties of cellars, with a freer circulation 

 of air, and nothing of the dampness which is 

 apt to pervade those subterranean regions. 



The roofs of the houses are all flat azoteas 

 or terraces, being formed of a layer of earth 

 two or three feet in thickness, and supported 

 by stout joists or horizontal rafters. These 

 roofs, when well packed, turn the rain off 

 Tvith remarkable effect, and render the houses 

 nearly fire-proof* The azotea also forms a 

 pleasant promenade, the surrounding walls 

 rising usually so high as to serve for a balus- 

 trade, as also a breast-work, behind which, in 

 times of trouble, the combatants take their 

 station, and defend the premises. 



The floors are all constructed of beaten 

 earth ' slicked over' with soft mortar, and co- 

 vered generally with a coarse carpet of do- 

 Baestic manufacture. A plank floor would be 

 quite a curiosity in New Mexico ; nor have I 

 met with one even in Chihuahua, although 

 the best houses in that cit}^ are floored with 

 brick or squares of hewn stone. The interior 

 of each apartment is roughly plastered over 

 with a clay mortar unmixed with lime, by fe- 

 niales who supply the place of trowels with 

 their hands. It is then white-washed with 



* During a residence of nearly nine years in the countrj-, I 

 never witnessed but one fire, and that ivas in the mining town of 

 Jesus Maria. There a roof of pine clap-boards is usually ex- 

 tended over the azotea, to protect it against the mountain torrents 

 01 rain._ This roof -was consumed, but the principal damage sus- 

 ^ned, in addition, was the burning of a huge pile of com and 

 some bags of flour, which were in the garret : the body of the 

 Duiiding remained nearly in statu jwo. 



IS 



