Note 11 — Chapter III · ACROSS THE CONTINENT, WESTWARD TO COBAN.

Owing to the heavy duty, iron stoves are seldom seen in Guatemala; but a structure of stone, where that material is at hand, elsewhere of sticks covered with clay, is reared to the height of about two feet. Its size depends, of course, on the wants of the household; but large or small, the form is always the same. Three suitable stones, forming what would correspond to a pot-hole in an ordinary stove, are embedded in the clay-top of this house-altar, and the long slim sticks that furnish fuel serve also as poker, shovel, and tongs. There is no chimney, but the smoke and steam escape by the many cracks in the walls or by the windows. On one stone tripod a comal for tortillas, on another an earthen pitcher of coffee, and on another a stew-pan (cazuela) of frijoles, is the usual kitchen arrangement. Answering its purpose as well as a costly stove, it may be built for a few reals; and if an oven is needed for bread, a stone and earthen dome built over such a table-like hearth makes a capital one, not unlike those so common among the Canadians and in other half-civilized countries.