30 



ANNUAL REPORT 1919 AND 1920 



introduced since the Conquest; it is probable, therefore, that they contained avo- 

 cados, guavas, tejocotes, and a few other species known to be indigenous. 



The modern city of AtHxco dates from 1 579, when it was granted the royal 

 charter and a coat of arms, the latter containing a figure of the archangel Saint 

 Michael, holding in one hand a sheaf of wheat. The elevation of the city is 

 1880 meters, or approximately 6150 feet. The population in 1910 was said to 

 be 9,2 1 9, but political disturbances have caused a considerable exodus during the 

 last few years, and it is doubtful if more than 5,000 people reside in Atlixco at 

 the present time. 



The picturesque hill of San Miguel, which arises immediately behind the 

 town and forms a conspicuous landmark throughout the valley, is considered to be 

 of volcanic origin. It is formed of varicolored rocks, andesite, hornblend, and 

 basalt being the principal ones. Its summit is about 500 feet above the plaza of 

 the town. 



Alexander von Humboldt, in his Ensayo Politico Sobre Nueva Espana, 

 published in 1827, speaks of this valley, "Justly celebrated for its beautiful 

 climate, the great fertility of its soil, and the abundance of delicious fruits, above 

 all the cherimoya and many passifloras." It is strange that the avocados of this 

 region did not attract the attention of this great naturalist. We may, perhaps, 

 infer from his failure to mention them that the large fruited varieties, for which 

 Atlixco is at present famed throughout southern Mexico, have not been grown 

 here until recent years. 



The Nahuatl name Atlixco is formed from the words atU water, and ixtlu 

 face, with the addition of the suffix co, meaning among, in, upon, or above. The 

 word was expressed by means of a hieroglyph in the form of a rebus; the arms 

 protruding from the bowl-like base form the conventional sign for alt, water; at the 

 base of these there should be the small circular sign for ixtli or face, but Robelo 

 (Diccionario de Aztequismos) , from whom I have taken the hieroglyph, did not 

 include it and I have thought it best to reproduce the figure exactly as given by 

 him. In stating that the sign for ixtli is lacking, however, I am voicing the opinion 

 of Mrs. Zelia Nuttall of Coyoacan, well-known for her work in Mexican archae- 

 ology, especially in the interpretation of the ancient picture writings or codices. 

 The suffix CO is expressed by the bowl from which the atl sign arises, the whole 

 combining to read atl-ixtli-co, or Atlixco. This name, meaning "above the waters" 

 or perhaps "among the waters" was doubtless given to the region because of the 

 numerous springs which exist here. 



SOIL AND CLIMATE 



In the small area occupied by the avocado groves the soil appears to be uni- 

 form in character. It is similar to that found throughout a large part of the 

 valley, — a friable, almost loose gray-black volcanic loam, unchanging in character 

 to a considerable depth. I have seen cross sections ten feet in thickness in which 

 the gray-black color and sandy texture remained the same throughout. 



In my paper on the Guatemalan avocados* I have described the remarkable 

 volcanic sands of the valley of Antigua, the greatest Guatemalan center of avocado 

 culture. The soil of Atlixco differs in texture from that of Antigua; the latter 

 is coarse, suggesting cinders, while the soil of Atlixco is a light loam or a sandy 

 loam. 



Water is readily available. In some places it comes to the surface, forming 

 small springs, while in others the permanent water level appears to be as much 



♦Exploring Guatemala for Desirable New Avocados, in Report Cal. Avocado Assn., 



1917. 



