1892 
I am also assured that this is also a failing in other branches of 
Mexico City sciences outside those with which I am more or less familiar. This 
(Mexico) 
comes to a great extent, in the natural sciences at least, from the 
July 
national distaste of the higher or educated classes for rough work 
of ary kind such as is a necessity in doing field-work. There is a 
t 
general tendency toward a fossilization or red-tape ism that assumes 
a satisfaction with the work as already accomplished. As a consequence, 
Mexico is a field which yields abundant harvest to the foreign natural¬ 
ist while the resident naturalists accept their results and reiterate 
them in their publications with but few additions of value. However, 
the people are awakening to a feeling of their lack in many ways, and 
under the present enlightened government much may be hoped for in the 
advance of the country toward the position in the world*s progress 
occupied by other civilized nations. 
From the tower of the cathedral fronting the main plaza, we looked 
out in all directions over the green expanse of the valley with its 
marshy lakes, and enjoyed one of the most beautiful views of the world. 
The cathedral is built upon the site of the Tample of Sun where 
the Azteos made their sacrifices to their blood-demanding gods. Today 
the plaza below where once congregated the people to view the sacrifi¬ 
cial processions of flower-decked victims, is the central point of the 
great network of horse-oar lines that extend out from this point in 
every direction, and is a busy scene of activity from morning until 
night. 
The familiar appearance of oars bearing the name of John Stephenson 
or The Brill Co, serve to modernize the plaza and detract from its 
picturesqueness, although they are very convenient adjuncts to travel 
about the city,- as the lines run out in various directions for some 
«* miles to suburban towns. 
- 89 
