OPITA INDIAN GIRLS. 117 
_ of Indians on the North American continent. The early 
Spaniards speak of them in glowing terms. In a previous 
chapter Father Marco’s testimony is mentioned; but the 
Strongest tribute paid to them by the Spaniards is that of 
-haming the State, Sonora. The Opita country extends from 
the Rio San Miguel eastward to the Sierra Madre. It is a fine 
country, and the people are a brave and manly race. They 
were greatly delighted with the beauty of the first Spanish 
lady who visited them; and as they could not give the 
Spanish twang to the fi, and wished to address her in her 
native tongue, they called her ‘“ Sonora,” and the Spaniards, 
out of compliment to them, gave that name to the State. 
It seems to be the fashion amongst many travellers to extol 
the beauty of savage races ; to paint glowing pictures of young 
Indian squaws, and almost to rave about Hottentot Venuses. 
Ihave seen some fine races of Indians, and men, as well as 
Women, of perfect symmetry; but beauty I consider quite 
out of the question. The faces of all I met, who had passed 
their childhood, were completely devoid of any single expres- 
Sion which could call forth other feelings than those of 
‘curiosity or disgust, until I encountered the Opitas of Sonora. 
The Mexicans generally are gifted with a very small share 
| of good looks; chiefly, no doubt, because the Indian element 
has overpowered and often destroyed the fine features of the 
‘Spaniard. But the settlements along the two rivers which 
‘unite at Hermosillo, and form the Rio Sonora, have been 
famed during two centuries for the beauty of their women, 
and this reputation I fully endorse ; indeed, the mixture of 
Spanish with Opita blood could not fail to produce such a 
Tesult. As I passed along the streets of Hermosillo, and 
| watched the women assembling for matins, or ne from 
Some religious festival, their chief occupation, 1 Recognised sn 
