502 GUAYMAS -TO 
new and much finer edifice has since been built. In 
the skirts of the town, and partly on the mountain’s 
side, is a class of houses built of poles, and having high 
pointed roofs thatched with palm and cocoa-nut leaves, 
that there may be a freer circulation of air; some of 
them are not inclosed, a few posts supporting the roof. 
It was near one of these primitive dwellings, a little 
elevated above the town, that I selected a spot from 
which to take a sketch of the place. I had here a good 
view of the whole town, its fine harbor, and the Castle 
of San Carlos, in the distance. A rank tropical vege- 
tation concealed a considerable portion of the town, 
and extended nearly to the water’s edge; among the 
varied foliage, the graceful cocoa-nut tree is most pro- 
minent; the palm, plantain, and banana, too, are thick- 
ly dispersed throughout it. 
The market is open every morning from daylight 
until ten o’clock, in a corner of the Plaza. Fruits and 
vegetables of every variety are spread out; and the nu- 
merous passengers from the Californian steamers, usual- 
ly rush to the market to lay in a stock of the delicious 
_ fruits there offered for sale. Change being scarce, 
small cakes of soap are used instead, as in other parts 
of Mexico, 
It is surprising that this town has not become mo- 
dernized, by the immense number of Americans and 
others, who stop here on their way to California. Every 
steamer remains for a couple of days to take in coal, 
when the passengers generally land and endeavor to 
spend some of their money, few as are the inducements 
to do so. There are a number of hotels, one of which, 
called the American, is kept by a German, and is any 
