which preceded the Aztecs in their emigration towards the South, the exact nature of the rites to which it was dedicated can only be conjectured. It may have served for the performance of human sacrifices in the sight of the assembled tribe; or as a place of defence in the event of an unexpected attack:—perhaps the two objects were combined, for, in the siege of Mexico, the most obstinate resistance was made in the vicinity of the great temple, (which resembled in form, though not in size, the Teocallis of Chŏlūlă and Tĕŏtĭhuăcān,) from the summit of which the priests are said to have encouraged the warriors by whom the great staircase and platform were defended.
The view from the Pyramid of Chŏlūlă, embraces the three great Volcanoes, and the Mălīnchĕ, with a finely cultivated country covering the intervening space. The town of Chŏlūlă lies immediately below the platform, reduced, like the rival State of Tlăscălă, which is separated from it by the Mălīnchĕ, to a mere shadow of its former greatness; but still indicating, by the size of its Plaza, the extent of ground which the city formerly covered. The fertility of the plain around is very great, as from the vicinity of the two great mountains Pŏpŏcătēpĕtl, and Īztăccihuătl, a constant supply of water for irrigation can be obtained: it abounds in Haciendas de Trigo, (Corn estates,) many of which, in good years, are said to produce Wheat in the proportion of eighty to one to the seed. This fertility termi-
