[NTRODUCTTON 3*3 



with the "squash blossoms" of fche Pueblo Indians. 

 There are also real temple structures, or "god houses, " 

 which are very significant when we consider the former 

 importance of the temple among the more highly civi- 

 lized peoples to the south. In these and other respects 

 the Huiehol culture is about midway between the cul- 

 ture of the Southwestern Pueblo tribes and that which 

 formerly existed in central Mexico. 



Elsewhere in northern and central Mexico it i- 

 possible to find many suggestions of ancient Indian 

 ways of living. In nearly all the outlying villages the 

 old-time thatched huts are still used, while baskets, 

 gourd vessels, wooden bowls, earthen pots, and other 

 household objects hark back to native origins although 

 often modified by European, contact. For instance, 

 glazing is commonly seen on the modern pottery. 

 Many travelers in Mexico bring away as souvenirs 

 pieces of pottery from Guadalajara and Cuernavaca. 

 These wares are made by Indians, but in decoration 

 they have only slight traces of the ancient art of the 

 Mexicans. 



In dress there are noteworthy survivals. The pon- 

 cho and serape made either on the narrow hand loom 

 or on a crude form of the Spanish tread loom are pic- 

 turesque elements in the national dress that are rapidly 

 disappearing from view. Time was when the rich 

 plantation owner wore a gayly colored blanket on 

 fiesta days. Tin- most famous centers for the manu- 

 facture and sale of blankets were the cities of Saltillo 

 and San Miguel. The Saltillo pattern shows a medal- 

 lion consisting of concentric diamonds in various colors 

 upon an all-over design in stripes. The motives are 

 minute geometric figures skilfully interlocked. The 

 colors are rich and permanent and are combined in a 

 very pleasing manner. Saltillo blankets must be classed 



