73 
lected, to the extent of a gallon or more each day for two or 
three months, or until the plant dies of exhaustion. The sap is 
drawn from the basin by suction through a long gourd, or 
acocote, the fruit of a species of calabash, Lagenaria vulgaris, and 
taken in pig-skins or sheep-skins to the fermenting-rooms, where 
the addition of old pulque converts it into the pulque of com- 
merce within twenty-four hours. The finished product resembles 
diluted yeast and contains about 6 per cent. of alcohol. If kept 
longer than a day or two, it becomes stale, a fact which the na- 
tives fully appreciate. 
The nopal cactus, Opuntia tuna, also thrives best on the table- 
land, but is found in abundance at lower elevations. The fruit 
of this species, called zvxa, is large and attractive, and is greatly 
esteemed by the Mexicans. The plants are used for hedges, 
while the young pads are eaten by cattle and made into a stew or 
preserved as confections by the Indians. Being abundant and 
conspicuous, as well as useful, the nopal has been used in designs 
for Mexican coins and for the national banner. 
The organ cactus, Cereus exce/sus, with its cluster of tall, fluted 
cylinders resembling organ-pipes, is one of the stateliest plants 
seen in Mexico. It bears purple flowers near the apex of the 
cylinders, but the fruit is of little importance. 
The cochineal insect, which feeds on certain species of Opuntia 
resembling the nopal, develops best in the state of Oaxaca, said 
to be the original home of the cochineal industry, where it is now 
much reduced on account of the discovery of aniline dyes, 
Both going and returning along the shores of Lake Texcoco, 
I saw countless flocks of migratory ducks of various species feed- 
ing upon the rich animal life of this lake. Here the curious and 
remarkable water-lizard, or axolotl, eaten by the Indians, makes 
its home; and here are deposited, among the rushes or on bundles 
of reeds placed there for the purpose, the eggs of the peculiar 
marsh-fly, Akuatlea, which form a staple article of food among 
the Tezcucans. 
On Sunday, January 9, we were entertained at the home of 
Dr. and Mrs. Hardin, in Mexico City. Dr. Hardin is the author 
of an important treatise on the Liquefaction of Gases, and is at 
