New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-14
INDIANS OF MEYICO.
Cacti Pagrimages They Take
Girls Conduct COmtshipS.

Although Carl Lumholtz. an author OF books on
Mexico did his best FOR the native tribes Of North
western Mexico In his lecture at the Vaudeville
Theatre yesterday afternoon il is doubtful II many
in the audience felt drawn the blanketed indi-
v1duals with matted hair and stodgy faces. squat
IDLY souatting in the sun. about whom he talked
Yet DR.. Lumholtz said he had spent five years
among them. lie was 10 be sure. IN the employ OF
certain great geographical societies. that
pso-stion was a business as well as a pleasure.
One tribe OF four thousand Indians he claimed 10
have discovered. since for nearly two hundred
years their existence seems TO have escaped the
knowledge OF the Caucasian. and many were the
legends and traditions which he was the first
white man TO hear and transcrbe
'Ou my FIRST exploration" said the lecturer. 4
crossed the Sierra Nadre range with nearly one
hundred animals and twenty-six men. but found
that could work more expeditoUsly with smaller
retiuue so that I subsequently reduced the number
very much. I depended entirely on Indians. The
white man who explores these regions finds he
must rely on the Mexican Indian. and that he must
himself live Ike one. Beans and maize formed
our diet Generally the maize. or Indian corn, is
dried then ground, but I found that toasting the
whole grains made a pslatable dish. Only, II
very hard on the teeth Ny dental bills heightened
as my rnolars shortened. IT may be all right for
the animals and lower races OF men 10 live on the
same thing all the time. but civilized man grows
mighty tired OF il.
often I have been asked. Why didn't you carry
civilized food?' The only civilized food that would
have been possible TO carry timed things, and
timed things are heavy and would have entailed
extra animals and Indians 10 care for them. That
Is why 7 got along without them. But often
would 60 without a meal at MONDAY rather than
take the time get Il. and find by diary that
] was too tired eat night, and in the morning
there was nothing TO eat"
DR. I1mholtz showed some wonderful pictures OF
cact blossoms, like flames growing out Of the
darkness.
There IS" he said. "a cacu cult among the
Mexican Indians At certain seasons they go on
pllgrimages TO gather cacti. and there are some
varieties TO which they sacrifice oxen
Cacu assume many weird shapes The lecturer
told how he once had his men cut down the spike
OF a giant cactus II was IS feet long and 81 inches
was covered with flowers as large as tulips-al-
most twenty thousand OF them. the explorer calcu-
Sentiment and emotion are not encouraged by
these people. "A husband and wife may not KISS
each other. but a mother is allowed 10y etiquette
20 kiss her child and the child do the same
IN return" said the speaker.
select their ~vveethear1s and then attempt to at
tract their affections by dancing. When the court
ship grows ardent, the girl begins thro"ig ptbbls
g. the she wishes 70 marry II he throws pep
bles at her, they become instantly engaged II ne
throws none, the gil understands that ne oOes
not reciprOcate her devotion and withdraws from
but one fate awaits the Mexican Indian de-
clared DR.. Lumholtz. IN conclusion. absorption
into the Nfexicaps The mineral and timber re-
sources OF the Sierra Madre range cannot remain
undeveloped much longer
The second lecture in the course, on Among the
Cennibals q Australia" will be given next Iues-
course Mrs Lorillard Spencer. Mrs. Schuyler
Van Rensselaer,. Mrs. }. y. Phelps Stokes, MIS-
Mrs William Douglas Sloane. Mrs. c. r. Lowell.
Miss Leary, DR.. and Mrs. Henry 7. LOOMS. MI.
&c s5a Mrs Morris \ Jesup, mrs Ben an nass,i,i;
mrs. Henry Z. Rowland