PEOPLES OF The population of ico at the present day is largely Indian. and in many parts of the country ancient customs, superstitions, and language- hold ,way. It is im possible to estimate the exact proportion of mire Indian blood, mestizo, or mixed blood. and h : probably there are about live million blooded Indians, and a somewhat larger r of mestizos. Dr. Leon. the most recent student of the limmistic families of \lexico. has divided into 17 families and Ps0 dialeets, and is of the opinion that future studies and investigations will resolve this num ber of families to three mother tongues, which will be the Otonif, Maya-Quich6, and the Nahua. In many parts of the Republic where certain lan guages are spoken over extended areas, we find diareetal ditlerences in every village. In some parts of Mexico the tribes occur in masses, while in other parts people ,peaking different lan guages are intermingled. In the same town, separated by a single street, we may find two different languages spoken, while in one town Starr reports Aztecs, Otomf, Tepelams, and Totonac, each group preserving its independ ence in language, dress, customs. and supersti tions. and occupying its own distinct quarter of the town.
Most of the Mexican Indian- have been con verted to Christianity; -one are still idolaters, but have lost much of their knowledge of ancient tradition- and religion. These are superstitious to a degree, and believe in omen,, witcheraft, and divination. Among the Iluicholes, whose habits.,
customs. religion, and symboli,m have been ex haustively studied by Lumboltz, and the Mixes. who have been briefly investigated by starr and Belmar, we find greater adherence to primitive ideas than among any other Mexican people.
All over 31exico the commerce of the people is carried on in very much the same planner as be fore the Spanish Conquest. and their periodic markets, the lianguis; are held weekly. a- in for mer times; they also carry merchandise for distances. to attend annual of certain saints, whose modern shrines are built ( n the sites of ancient temples. The Indians are prin cipally agriculturists, though certain aboriginal trades still prevail, such as weaving. basket and mat making, and the manufacture of pottery: and the product, of these industries. for which certain village, are noted, are scattered through out extended areas. Their mode of living, bald tations. and clothing have e'langed but little under white influence. Their food consists main ly of corn. bean', and ehili pens•rs; the corn is made into cakes. or 'tortillas.' or a thin mush called possole: their food i- prepared a, lwfore the Conquest, although to a certain extent cook ing ve-el, of till and iron are used as well as those of clay. Their great vice lies in the u- • of alcoholic stimulants: they make many native a- in former thnes, and on every possible occasion they indulge in their use.