POPULATION. It is difficult to take a correct census in Mexico, particularly in the many dis tricts inhabited by Indians, who fear that they will be taxed if they are enrolled in the census return. This table gives the area. population. and density of population according to the census of 1900; and, for comparison, the population according to the census of 18115 is added: The population in 1900 included 6,716.007 males and 6,829,455 females. Nineteen per cent. of the population were pure white, 43 per cent. mixed bloods, and 38 per cent. Indians. The cold lands, being the most healthful, have the densest population, about 75 per cent. of the total popu lation; a relatively small part of the people, from 15 to 18 per cent., live in the temperate zone, and only 7 to 10 per cent. in the torrid zone. The first census in 1795 showed a population of 5.200. 000. The population therefore much more than doubled in the past century. The increase of the
Indian population is comparatively slow, because, though the Indians have largo families, they are subject to many epidemics. Of the foreign ele ments of the population the English, Germans, and French monopolize many branches of business. Very few foreigners, excepting those engaged in leading branches of .trade. are well educated. The country is to some extent being Americanized as far as means of transportation, electric lighting, improved hotels, and other modern con veniences are concerned. The tendency of the people, however, is to cling to the old habits which grew out of their Spanish ancestry and climatic environment. They still desire their midday siesta, their religious feast days and holidays, but they are unwilling to live abstemi ously, spending their freely and dressing poorly. This is especially true of the Indians.