216 
MEXICO. 
which is within one foot, it will be perceived, of the height assigned V. 
this spot by Mr. Glennie. 
I present you with a sketch of the outline of the mountain, on which 
the different elevations are marked, so that the whole of these measure- 
ments will be at once mapped out before you. 
12693fi. 
IS'iS AaOVt THE LEVEL OF THE SFA. 
OUTLINE OF POPOCATEPETL. 
* This is a difficult word to pronounce, but it is easy in comparison with many of the Indian words you may 
hear uttered every day in the markets of Mexico. 
•' Nothing," says Humboldt, •' strikes the Europeans more in the Aztec, Nahualt, or Mexican language, than 
theexcessive length of the words. This length dees not always depend on their being '^°^^'^^"'f'^l'"J'^^ 
Greek, tl,e German, and the Sanscrit, but on the manner of forming the substantive, the plural, or the uperla 
tive A kiss is called UtmnamiQuiliztli ; a word formed from the verb tennamiQm, to embrace and the addi- 
tive particles tc and Ihtli. In the same manner we have tlatoiona, to ask, and tctlatolavihzth. a demand ; tlc^- 
hioviltm, to torment, and leaa^yMovMUiztlu torment. To form the plural, the Aztecs m severa words double 
the first syllable; ^miztli, acat; viimiiti,,, cat.; toclMi, a rabbit; totochtm, rabbits. TtrMs the termmat.on 
which indicates the plural. ?ometimes, the duplication is made in the midst of a word ; for instance, zcAp»cAf.Z«, 
a girl ; ichpopocUUr, , girls; telvochtlL a boy ; telpopochtin, boys. The most remarkable example 1 have met 
with of a real composition of words, is found in the word amatla^mlolitguitcatiaxUmmilh, which signifies, the 
reward-given-to-the-messenger-whc-carries-a-paper-on-which-is-painted-tidings. This word, which forms by 
itself an Alexandrian line, contains amatZ. paper (of the agave;) c«,7oa. to paint, or trace hieroglyphics ; and 
tiaxtiato-«i. the wages or salary of a workman." The word «ot/ar«matote.p&catatz^«, which signifies 
venerable-priest-whom-I-cherish-as-my-faUier. is used by the Mexicans in addressmg tlie pries^. ^^ Je ^^^J 
language, the letters B, D, F, G. and R, are wanting."-HuMBOLDT's Researches, vol. ii. p. 246. Pol. Essay 
vol. i. p. 139. 
