IN THE OLDEN TIME. 
255 
of the customs common to most of the inhabitants of 
the kingdom of Guatemala, and so pass beyond the 
walls of Utatlan, to which, however, we shall presently 
return. 
Agriculture among the Central American nations was 
mostly confined to the planting of maiz and beans (frijoles), 
which were staple products and served as a currency in 
gross, while cacao, which was said to have been first 
planted by Hunahpu, eighth king of Quiche, served for 
small change. They cultivated cotton, which furnished 
their clothing, and tobacco, which they smoked with 
moderation. Chocolate was not a common drink, but 
reserved for the nobles and soldiers who had distin¬ 
guished themselves in battle. The cacao was planted with 
great ceremony. Seeds of the largest pods were selected 
and carefully fumigated with copal and other gums; and 
these seeds were then left in the open air four nights 
during the time of the full moon, and meanwhile the 
planters attended assiduously to their marital duties. 
Onions, plantains, potatoes, yams, chickpease, squashes 
of various kinds, supplied their table, and many native 
fruits added to their comfort. The Indios then, as now, 
were very fond of flowers ; but whether they generally cul¬ 
tivated them, or found enough growing spontaneously, 
we do not know. Certainly there were royal gardens at 
Utatlan. 
In manufactures, weaving was of first importance, and 
the threads were dyed with indigo, cochineal, or purple. 
Embroidery was also much used. Then from fibrous 
plants they plaited hammocks and nets, from reeds ( junco ) 
they wove hats of great durability, and from withes, 
baskets and sacks. The potter’s work was also of great 
