176 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



wide, separated by ditches of three or four 

 yards in width, and are made by taking the 

 soil from the intervening ditch, and throwing 

 it on the chinampa, by which means the 

 ground is raised generally about a yard, and 

 thus forms a small fertile garden, covered 

 with the finest culinary vegetables, fruits, and 

 flowers, — Mexico receives an ample supply 

 from these sources. We shot here several 

 pretty birds, some of which we killed on the 

 wing, to the great surprise of the natives, 

 who had now gathered round us in con- 

 siderable numbers. We returned to the 

 village, looked at the church, and examined 

 a curious circular ancient warm bath, in form 

 of an oven, with a very low entrance ; it was 

 of unburnt brick, and the flue and fire-place 

 still remained. 



The village had one house of comfortable 

 appearance ; it was a shop, and, on passing 

 it, the owner, the only white man in the 



