190 



SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



more than two or three inches long, which 



they take in nets in the canals and ditches 



near the lakes. They are enclosed in the 



leaves or capsules which surround the head of 



the Indian corn, and then roasted. In this 



state they are exposed for sale, at a very 



reasonable rate : we thought them excellent, 



but they are seldom seen at the repasts of the 



rich. They have also a small crustaceous 



animal resembling our shrimp, but not so well 



tasted. The meat market is well supplied with 

 i 



beef, mutton, and pork, and in the spring kid 

 is plentiful and cheap ; veal is prohibited by 

 law. The beef and mutton are by no means 

 equal to what we have in the markets of Eu- 

 rope ; but, though these meats are not of the 

 best quality, they are very far from bad. 

 Perhaps the fault is in a great measure owing 

 to the butcher, and we are always partial to 

 our own method of preparing animal food. 

 Of vegetables and fruits there are few places 



