Page:Travels in Mexico and life among the Mexicans.djvu/337

 household use. But what a variety! It reminds one of what he has noticed in coming up to this high table-land of Mexico from the coast, namely, that this country can boast of almost every climate, every variety of scenery, and the products of every zone, from arctic to torrid.

Several zinc roofs, supported upon stone pillars, give shelter to crowded stalls and cover every kind of merchandise, from a squash-seed to a wooden spoon. The entire enclosure is densely packed with human beings, especially in the morning, when the purchases are mostly made. The men and women that do business here bring their entire families with them, and for the day live here as at home. The markets are divided into the various portions devoted to fruit, vegetables, and articles for household use. Upon mats spread on the stone pavement each vender spreads his or her stock in trade, regardless of the space necessary to the customer in threading his way through this miscellaneous assemblage.