SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



21 



old Spanish or Moorish style, and generally 

 enclosing a square court, with covered gal- 

 leries. They have flat roofs, glass windows, 

 and are well adapted to the climate ; most of 

 them have balconies of wood in front, the 

 interior arrangement being the same as in Old 

 Spain. The whole town, as well as the castle, 

 is built of coral, (the Madrepora meandrities) 

 and the lime that forms the cement is of the 

 same material, and is also used for the roofs and 

 foot pavement; it is so hard that, in some 

 places, it receives from friction a polish like 

 marble. There is one tolerably good square, 

 of which the government-house forms one side, 

 and the principal church the other. The foot- 

 paths are frequently under piazzas, a great 

 accommodation to passengers, protecting them 

 from the sultry heat of the sun, and the 

 heavy rains, which descend in torrents in the 

 wet season. 



Sixteen Cupolas or Domes may be counted 



