Gabb] 4 J_i [Aug. 25, 



enumeration of the population. Mj ^jrocess was to get together several 

 of the most intelligent and well-informed men in the district ; cause them 

 to compare notes and then to tie a series of knots in strings as they ai e 

 accustomed to do ; different kinds of knots distinguishing the sexes. Each 

 house was counted separately, so that I obtained an exact census of the 

 whole country with the following results. This cord census is now in the 

 museum of the Smithsonian Institution, with many other articles, illus- 

 trating the life and customs of the people. 

 The population of each district is as follows : 



Tiribi 103 



IT ren 604 



Bri-bri 172 



Cabecar 128 



The Valley 219 



Total 1226 



This covers all of the water-sheds of the Tilorio and Tiliri rivers ex- 

 cept two small bands ; the Changinas on the Changina branch of the 

 Tilorio and a refugee remnant of the Cabecars on the extreme head of 

 the Tiliri. Probably an additional hundred would cover all of thtse. 



On the North or Estrella river, and on the Chiripo, there are a few 

 more Cabecars who have little communication with the headquarters of 

 the tribe, but who are in the habit of going out to Limon or Matina for 

 what little trade they require. These are probably in all, not more than 

 200 or 300 in number. Nearly all speak Spanish and they are giadually 

 ;approximating to civilized or semi-civilized ways. 



The cause of the rapid decrease in the population is their extreme in- 

 'dolence. With a country fitted to produce all the fruits of the tropics ; 

 where maize grows luxuriantlj^, and where cattle and pigs increase with- 

 out care or labor ; they are content to make plantains their staple, and 

 almost their only food. Cliicha the form in which most of their maize 

 is used, is a beverage very slightly intoxicating, if drank in large quanti- 

 ties, but the amount of nutriment derived from it is unimportant. Meat, 

 whether of domestic or wild animals, is a rarity and a luxury, and the 

 banana or plantain make up all deficiencies. The natural consequence 

 of a bulky and comparatively innutritions diet is a low physical state. 

 The system has little resisting power against disease, or healing ijower 

 over wounds. A slight attack of coast fever, which, with an ordinary 

 strong man of our own race, would be comparatively harmless, is very 

 apt to terminate fatally with these people. Indolent idcers are so com- 

 mon that perhaps a full fourth of not only adults, but even children 

 have them, usually on the legs, originating in some slight scratch or 

 bruise ; and very few of the elderly persons are without their scars. 

 These ulcers often last for years, and I have seen them as broad as the 

 two hands opened side by side. Although the Ipcal diseases are few, the 

 entire absence of medical treatment, the ignorance of the first principles 



