1246 Recent Literature. { December, 
though sometimes the supply is due to the infiltration of surface 
water into natural grottoes in the coral rock. The Indians, centu- 
ries ago, marked the courses of these subterranean streams by 
heaps of stones, and their cities were always built near or about 
the water-caves, as is now shown by their ruins. These caves, 
where the rivers appear to the light of day, are called cenotes. 
There are many in Yucatan, and in Merida are several, utilized as 
bathing places—most refreshing resorts in the heat of day. The 
Indian Boy, Yucatan. 
cenote at Mucuyché is a cavern, perhaps forty feet deep, wo 
down at one side, forming an arch of limestone with every $ ape 
stalagmite and stalactite, the roof full of holes in whic 
nests of hundreds of swallows and hornets. A flight of stone 
leads from the delightful garden above,and some avocado sii the 
_ cocoa palms growing at the bottom thrust their crowns a 9 cep 
general level of the ground. The water is clear and very 
