212 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



posal. I had now time to make little excur- 

 sions with my gun in the neighbourhood, and 

 to add to my collection of birds and seeds. I 

 also began to be known to the Indians who 

 supplied the market with game, and procured 

 many interesting animals by their means, till 

 the yard and court of my hostess began to 

 have the appearance of a menagerie, as I had 

 already several armadillos, deers, parrots, cur- 

 rassow birds, quans, tiger-cats, &c, &c, most 

 of which were unconfined, and, with my exten- 

 sive collection of preserved animals, which 

 were generally exposed to the air, excited the 

 curiosity of the neighbourhood, which could 

 assign no possible use for such things except- 

 ing that they might be intended for medicinal 

 purposes. 



On my return to Xalapa, I was imme- 

 diately struck with the alteration that had 

 taken place in the appearance of many of the 

 ladies during the short time of my absence. 



