520 THE THATCH. — THE STORE-ROOM. — THE CORN-JARS. 
and twigs are tied transversely ; and upon them is laid a thatch of long 
grass or straw ; for which purpose the tall grass of the surrounding 
plains is extremely well suited, and forms a very neat and close 
covering. To secure the thatch from being blown off by the violent 
winds, to which so open a situation is often exposed, or by the 
whirlwinds which occasionally occur in the hot days of summer, a 
number of thin twigs are stuck into it by both their ends ; and several 
transverse rows of these, alternating with those above and below, are 
found perfectly to answer that purpose. 
In most of the Bachapin houses, the back part both inwardly 
and outwardly, is divided from the front, by transverse walls ; and 
in the same manner a cross fence separates the front court from the 
back-yard. This after-part was not enclosed by walls ; it might be 
considered as an open shed, and was generally intended as a granary, 
or store-room for the principal bulk of their dry provisions. 
The corn is preserved in what may be termed large jars, of 
various dimensions, but most commonly between four and five feet 
high, and three, wide. The shape of these corn-jars is nearly 
that of an egg-shell having its upper end cut off : sometimes their 
mouth is contracted in a manner which gives them a great resem- 
blance to a European oil-jar. They are formed with stakes and 
branches fixed into the ground and interwoven with twigs; this 
framework being afterwards plastered within and without, in the same 
manner as the walls of the building. Frequently the bottoms of 
these jars are raised about six inches or a foot above the ground : 
3,nd the lower part of the stakes being then uncovered, gives them the 
appearance of standing on short legs. Their contents are usually 
protected by a covering of skin or straw. 
This mode of keeping their corn and beans, shows a degree of in- 
genuity equal to that which is displayed in the construction of their 
houses, and is to be admired for its simplicity and perfect adequate- 
ness to the purpose. In the dwellings of the richer inhabitants, the 
back part of the house is completely filled with jars of this kind, 
among which, I have sometimes observed one of much larger dimen- 
