[4] The subjoined list shows the varieties of parentage and blood forming the castes throughout Spanish America:
| Parents. | ||
| 1. Original races. | ||
| White. European whites are called gachupines or chapetones. | ||
| Whites, born in the colonies, are called creoles. | ||
| Negro. | ||
| Indian. | ||
| Parents. | Children. | |
| 2. Castes of White race. | ||
| White father and Negro mother. | Mulatto. | |
| White father and Indian mother. | Mestizo. | |
| White father and Mulatta mother. | Quarteron. | |
| White father and Meztiza mother. | Creole, (only distinguishable from the white by a pale brown complexion.) | |
| White father and China mother. | Chino-blanco. | |
| White father and Quarterona mother. | Quintero. | |
| White father and Quintera mother. | White. | |
| 3. Castes of Negro race. | ||
| Negro father and Mulatta mother. | Zambo-negro. | |
| Negro father and Meztiza mother. | Mulatto-oscuro. | |
| Negro father and China mother. | Zambo-chino. | |
| Negro father and Zamba mother. | Zambo & Negro (perfectly black.) | |
| Negro father and Quarterona mother. | dark Mulatto. | |
| Negro father and Quintera mother. | dark Mulatto. | |
| 4. Castes of Indian race. | ||
| Indian father and Negro mother. | Chino. | |
| Indian father and Mulatta mother. | Chino-oscuro. | |
| Indian father and Mestiza mother. | Mestizo-claro (often very beautiful.) | |
| Indian father and China mother. | Chino-cholo. | |
| Indian father and Zamba mother. | Zambo-claro. | |
| Indian father and China-chola mother. | Indian (with short, frizzly hair.) | |
| Indian father and Quarterona mother. | brown Meztizo. | |
| Indian father and Quintera mother. | brown Meztizo. | |
| 5. Mulatto corruptions. | ||
| Mulatto father and Zamba mother. | Zambo (a miserable race.) | |
| Mulatto father and Zamba mother. | Chino (rather clear race.) | |
| Mulatto father and China mother. | Chino (rather dark.) | |
Besides these specified castes there are many others not distinguished by particular names. The best criterion for judging is the hair of the women which is infinitely less deceiving than the complexion. The short woolly hair, or the coarse Indian locks may always be detected on the head or back of the neck. This tabular statement exhibits at a glance the mongrel corruptions of the human race in Spanish America, and forms an interesting subject for students of physiology. See Tschudi's Peru, p. 80, Am. Ed.
[5] Preface to 3d Ed. of Mexico as it was and as it is, p. 12.
[6] Zavala's "Revoluciones de Mexico," vol. 1. p. 15, gives an account of the manner in which estates are divided in Mexico.
[7] See Mexico as it was and as it is, p. 301.
[8] Corral signifies cattle yard; hacienda, plantation; rancho, small farm.
[9] The lasso is a long rope, with a running noose at the end of it. The Mexicans learn to fling this with great accuracy so as to catch a bull, a horse, or a man with equal facility. All classes have some skill in the use of this weapon, and I have seen children, with cords, attempting to lasso chickens and even butterflies!
[10] See Head's Rough Notes of a Journey over the Pampas. The Mexican ranchero is somewhat superior to the gaucho of the Pampas.
[11] Mexico as it was and is, p. 144.