MEXICAN MANUFACTURES GENERALLY. 



115 



since the war. The well known Mexican serape, or poncho, — an 

 oblong garment, pierced in the centre to allow the passage of the 

 head, and which falls in graceful folds from the shoulders of a horse- 

 man over his person — is one of the most generally demanded 

 fabrics from native looms. These blankets are often of beautiful 

 texture, composed of the richest materials and colors, and, accord- 

 ing to the fineness of their wool and weaving, vary in cost from 

 twenty-five to five hundred dollars. The serape is an indispensable 

 article, both for use and luxury, for the lepero as well as the cabal- 

 lero, and being as much needed by men as the reboso, or long cot- 

 ton shawl, is by the women, it may readily be conceived how great 

 is the consumption of these two articles of domestic manufacture 

 alone. There are between five and six thousand hand looms 

 throughout the several states, and these are continually engaged in 

 the fabrication of rebosos and serapes, the latter of which are most 

 exquisitely dyed and woven in tasteful patterns in the neighborhood 

 of Saltillo. 1 



1 Whilst these pages are passing through the press information has been received 

 from the Mexican gazettes that in 1846 there were sixty-two cotton factories for 

 spinning and weaving, and five for manufacturing woollens; — that the first men- 

 tioned have been greatly improved by the introduction of the best kinds of ma- 

 chinery, and that two new factories for woollens have been set in operation in the 

 state of Mexico, which produce cloths and cassimeres that are eagerly purchased by 

 the best classes. The cost of these fabrics is not mentioned, but it is probably fifty 

 per cent, higher than if manufactured in the United States. 



INDIAN HUT IN THE TIERRA CALIENTE. 



