492 PARRAS 
the flowers boiling for food. The uncooked flowers 
have quite a bitter taste; but this may probably be 
removed by boiling. The roots of a narrow-leaved 
species called amole are used, instead of soap, for wash- 
ing clothes; bruised between stones, they afford a 
mucilage when rubbed upon the clothes, which seems 
to possess considerable detergent properties. The 
root is generally kept for sale in the towns, and, where 
soap is so very dear, affords an economical substitute. 
December 6th. Our intention was to reach the 
rancho of San Juan to-day. Soon after leaving, we 
saw through an opening in the hills on our left, about 
a mile distant, the Hacienda de Patos. This place is 
the property of Don Jacobo Sanchez, and is said to be 
the finest in the State of Coahuila. This gentleman is 
said to be the owner of three quarters of the landed pro- 
perty in the State, including several large and valuable 
haciendas, well stocked with cattle, mules, and horses. 
He has lost large numbers by the Indians,.and, I am 
told, has made a claim on the United States for a mil- 
lion and a half of dollars as an indemnification for 
these losses. Yet he takes no pains to protect his 
property, not even arming his herdsmen, and never 
pursues the Indians or makes any efforts to recover 
what he has lost. In entering into a compact with 
Mexico for the protection of her frontier, the United 
States certainly expected either the Mexican govern- 
ment or the proprietors to do something for their own 
protection. The lands of Don Jacobo extend in a con- 
tinuous line more than a hundred miles. Such a land- 
holder could well afford to support a body of expert 
riflemen or rangers, who should be always on the alert 
