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8 



breede in the leaues of the trees,, when it is well husbanded, and are 

 thereunto fastened, couered with a cert aine small fine web, which doth 

 compasse them in daintily; and this is that Indian Cochenille, so 

 famous, and wherewith they die in graine. They let it drie, and being 

 dried, carrie it into Spaine, which is a great and rich merchandise. 

 The arobe of this Cochenille, or graine, is worth many ducats. In the 

 fleete, the year 1587, they did bring five thousand six hundred seventie 

 seven arobes, which amounted to two hundred fourscore three thou- 

 sand seven hundred and fiftie pieces, and commonly there comes every 

 yeare as great a wealth." 



The other articles represented in the garden will need little descrip- 

 tion ; the variety of gourds, or calibashes^ which furnish a part of the 

 nutriment of the natives, seem almost endless in size, form, and colour ; 

 they are an excellent vegetable for the table ; some of them weigh 

 near lOOlbs. Those in the glass-cases, Nos. 23, 26, 29, 32, and 

 35, will convey some idea of the Covent Garden of Mexico, on the 

 ground of which they are piled in immense quantities. 



The next object that excites attention is a native Mexican Indian, 

 Jose Cay et ana Ponce de Leon, an inhabitant of the village Chyula, 

 one league from Tezcuco ; besides his native language, he speaks and 

 writes Spanish, as also a little Italian, and is well informed on the 

 history and affairs of his country; he was the only one of his coun- 

 trymen that could be induced to leave his home for Europe ; to them 

 the idea of living on the "blue waters" for several weeks was as 

 dreadful as a voyage to the Moon. 



He is docile and extremely intelligent ; apt at learning, and in- 

 genious in mechanics, we might almost say in the fine arts : — as far 

 as his knowledge of our language permits, he will explain the different 

 objects in the Exhibition to visitors. 



The next part of the Exhibition to which observation may be directed, 

 consists of small models of Mexican costumes, &c. Persons of all ranks 

 and descriptions are represented in their various occupations and 

 peculiar dresses. Men, women, and children, — in short, a miniature 

 of what the stranger sees in travelling through Mexico, both in the 

 interior of houses, and in the open air. But as this, though pleasing 

 enough to look at, would not convey an accurate idea of the manu- 

 factures, &c. of the country, there are disposed about the room a 

 number of cases, containing specimens of the caparisons of the horses, 

 of the dresses of the people, of their furniture, and of every thing 

 that can be deemed curious and interesting with regard to the 

 habit and costume of the country. To these are added other specimens 

 of their industry and arts. The mode of working in leather ; the cloths 



