1892 
* •«*-»- , w —-4M4? ' • 
San Luis 
Potosi 
(S.L.Potosi) 
hundreds of them exposed for sale at different times. They are dug 
* . ** i 
out of their burrows under cacti and maguey plants on the plains 
about San Luis, and ore sold for 6d each end ®onsid«red a delicacy 
by the ecmmon people. When a cotton-tail only brings from 9 to 12 
' * ' . | r J I ’ 1 • # i * , 
cents and a hare from 15 to 18 cents, it is evident that these rats 
must be held in peculiar estimation. They are also said to be bene¬ 
ficial as blood-purifiers, as well as a savory morsel, I found it a 
common practice for the hunters to bring in the rets alive in sacks 
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after breaking the front teeth in the lower jaws so to prevent them 
from gnawing their way out. These rats are killed and dressed at 
the market, and the women hold them up and praise the whiteness of 
their flesh to the passers to draw customers. The game sells rapidly 
and is usually gone by 9 o’clock. 
Passing back and forth at short intervals are the water-carriers 
with huge wheelbarrows bearing 4 large, curiously-shaped water jars. 
t * ■ '% , 
Back and forth among all this is a constantly changing crowd in a 
variety of picturesque costumes with hundreds of half-clad wretches 
whose tattered apologies for laments show the effect of the last 
three years of famine and drought* 
The prevailing misery among these people has caused a host of 
beggars of all ages and sexes to congregate in Sen Luis, and they 
importune one constantly upon the streets, day and slight. Owing to 
the excellent police system, however, robbery 0** other crimes of 
violence are very rare here despite the pressing poverty, 
San Luis has street oar and electric light systems. Several times 
a week the military bands play in the afternoon or evenings in same of 
the plazas,- mainly in the Plaza d© Armes. 
As the national holiday of September 18th was approached, the 
plasas, all public buildings, and many private establishments were 
106 
