ight, is seen
the little ranch Tanchitla, with its fields, a strip of green forest
separating these from the fields of the next village, Tlapajualla. The
stream abounds in fish of various kinds, which form an important food
supply. They are, however, rapidly being destroyed by the practice of
exploding dynamite cartridges in the water, by which not only the adult
fish, but the young, of all ages, are killed. Unless the practice soon
ceases, and there are rigid laws against it, there will soon be no fish
left in any of the streams of this whole region. This particular stream
bears different names in different portions of its course--thus it is
called Tanchitla, Pahuatlan, San Marcos, Caxones, Xico, etc.

Having noticed that here, as at Pahuatlan, the banana trees were badly
injured, we learned that this havoc was the result of two recent
hail-storms, which were felt over a wide area, and which were of almost
unexampled severity. By the time we had enjoyed the outlook, and learned
a little of the village, the messenger who had been sent to call the
people together had performed his duty, and a picturesque group of our
long-sought Totonacs were at hand. The women wear _quichiquemils_ of
native cotton cloth, the neck opening of which is over-hemmed with
black wool. Lines of crosses, rosettes, birds, etc., are worked in
various-colored wools upon them. Many of them have a broad line of
color, in geometrical combinations, running vertically up the middle.
The men wear _cotones_ of black and white.

Twenty-five or thirty of the more important men of the village were now
taken to the schoolhouse, where the _presidente_ inquired, for me, in
regard to the _costumbre_. At first a little hesitancy was shown, but
soon all were interested and talked freely. The _costumbre_ comes at
about the same time each year, though not upon a fixed date. Its purpose
is to secure health, good weather and crops for the coming year, though
it may be held on the occasion of pestilence. Everyone, even widows and
old maids, brings something for the feast. The celebration is held in
some large house, and lasts through two days; floral decorations are
arranged in the four corners of the room, candles are lighted, and
_copal_ is burned. The first day, each person brings a handful of earth
from his field, which is placed in a heap upon the floor. Fowls and
animals are slaughtered for the occasion; their heads are cut off and
their blood is sprinkled upon