CHAPTER XIII.

The Sierra--Its Climate and Productions--Inhabitants--Trade--Eggs circulated as money--Mestizos in the Sierra--Their Idleness and Love of Gaming and Betting--Agriculture--The Quinua Plant, a substitute for Potatoes--Growth of Vegetables and Fruits in the Sierra--Rural Festivals at the Seasons of Sowing and Reaping--Skill of the Indians in various Handicrafts--Excess of Brandy-Drinking--Chicha--Disgusting mode of making it--Festivals of Saints--Dances and Bull-Fights--Celebration of Christmas-Day, New-Year's Day, Palm Sunday, and Good Friday--Contributions levied on the Indians--Tardy and Irregular Transmission of Letters--Trade in Mules--General Style of Building in the Towns and Villages of the Sierra--Ceja de la Montana 253