THE SUN CHILD OF THE SIERRAS 



299 



the: dolls op cuernavaca, en: 



(SEE PAG 



"you can make fleas stand still as long 

 as you like in Germany." 



In the vicinity of Cuernavaca the coun- 

 try abounds with places of geographic 

 and scientific interest. The haciendas 

 Acapancingo and Temisco, over two cen- 

 turies old, and the Buena Vista, where 

 sugar-cane rum is distilled, are well worth 

 a visit. Just across the barranca to the 

 west is a lake of great beauty and the 

 Falls of Saint Anthony, noted for its 

 resemblance to a long white feather. 

 Near by is the village of San Anton, 

 where stand several buildings of un- 

 known antiquity and an old house built 

 by Cortez in 1521, all in an excellent 

 state of preservation. 



Time has not been able to efface primi- 

 tive methods in this locality, and Indian 

 pottery, known as "La Verita," is still 

 being made here by Lupe, "King of the 

 Pottery Makers," in much the same fash- 

 ion of his forefathers. This pottery is 

 made in a great variety of distinctive 

 shapes, is rich maroon in color, and rude, 

 almost classic, in design. 



RGED SLIGHTLY IN THE PICTURE 

 296-298) 



Many prehistoric stone carvings are 

 found in the neighborhood of Cuerna- 

 vaca. The Lizard Stone, measuring 

 nearly 9 feet in length ; the Stone Eagle, 

 measuring about 10 feet across its ex- 

 tended wings, and the Victory Stone, 

 with its curious carvings of a shield, five 

 spears, and a tomahawk, evidently mark- 

 ing an ancient victory, are particularly 

 interesting. 



Other evidences of an ancient civiliza- 

 tion are found at Amanalco, Tlaltenango, 

 Tlalmanalco, the Hill of Ouauhtetl, the 

 Ruins of Tepozteco, Xochiltepec, and in 

 the caves of the Amates, "The Grotto 

 of the Devil," where steps were cut from 

 the solid rock on the occasion of a visit 

 by Empress Carlotta. On the summit of 

 a small ridge west of Cuernavaca are the 

 Ruins of Xochicalo and the remains of a 

 prehistoric city. Among these ruins is a 

 pyramid, fort, or temple, which is built 

 of cut porphyry and measures 68 by 75 

 feet. Its walls are filled with carvings 

 of birds, animals, and warriors, which 

 are more curious and interesting than 



