COSTA RICA 149 



grapes, as well as tomatoes, cabbages, potatoes, corn, wheat, and 

 other cereals. Costa Rica heretofore has not produced enough 

 meat for home consumi)tion, but this i.s not because cattle will 

 not thrive there ; it is because few intelligent attcujpts have been 

 made. There is abundance of water, a jicrpetual verdure, and no 

 winter necessitating feeding. Cattle of every kind and variety 

 thrive l)eauti fully, and that without any attention or eare. Al- 

 though stock farming is new and people are ill prejtared to raise 

 cattle, yet the results are excellent. Even sheep, the last animal 

 in the world that one would expect to do well under a trcipical 

 sun, thrive and multiply with remarkal)le success. 



Not far from tiiese farms are several peculiar natural springs. 

 The most popular and interesting thermal s|)rings today are 

 those of Agua Caliente, which are frecjuented l)y the wealthy 

 citizens of Costa Rica and by foreign visitors. These springs, 

 like most natural waters, are said to be good for nearly all human 

 ailments, but it is certain that they cure rheumatism an<l skin 

 diseases. One finds among them waters hot enough to boil an 

 egg and of a strong siilphui'ous odor, while, on the other hand, 

 there are others extremel}' cold. 



One of the unique primitive structures of the country, which 

 portrays the characteristic ingenuity of early settlers, is the 

 bridge made of hcjnco, a native vine-like growth, noted for its 

 great strength, to be noticed hanging from large trees. This 

 strange substance is made into a rope which is hung from con- 

 venient trees near the banks of the river, 'i'he peculiar sensa- 

 tion experienced wliile crossing is far from a feeling of safety; 

 Avith every step the dry, Avoody ropes crack and the liridge moves 

 not only up and down, but sidewise, forward, and backward. 



Entering the Indian reservation of Talamanca, fine views greet 

 the eye of the traveler. Here are the farm-houses of half-lireeds ; 

 there, colossal cocoanut trees, with large leaves, of which the 

 roofs and sides of huts are made. ' The true Indiaii house is 

 built on the bee-hive ])lan, and its framework of vine rope is 

 thatched l)y palm and cocoanut leaves. Its external appearance 

 is artistic, and the people are comfortable within. 'I'he Indians 

 are completely isolated from civilization, are i)eaeeful, ami never 

 give the government trouble. The men are usually well built 

 and the women are patient and gentle. They are very thinly 

 clad, as the climate is such that clothing is the least of their 

 wants and is Avorn only with an idea of adornment. Most cloth- 

 ing is of the local cotton, colored bv home dye-roots and certain 



