We were on the high, flat, table-land of Oaxaca, and from here to the capital city of the state, the road is level, and passes through a rich agricultural district.

Passing San Dionisio at seven, we pressed on as rapidly as possible to Tlacolula, where we arrived before noon, ready for the good meals and comfortable quarters which we well knew awaited us there.
Tlacolula is a large town, in the midst of a dusty valley.

Its houses are large, rectangular constructions, well built of poles, with fine thatched roofs.

They stand in yards, which are enclosed by fences of organ-pipe cactus.

The people dress well, and at almost every house they own an ox-cart and a yoke of animals.