The Mixtecs adjoined the Zapotecs to the west, extending along the coast of the Pacific to about the present port of Acapulco. In culture they were equal to the Zapotecs; having a preference for an agricultural life, constructing residences of brick and stone and acquainted with a form of picture or hieroglyphic writing, in which they perpetuated the memory of their elaborate mythology.[173] They pretended to have taken their name from Mixtecatl, one of the seven heroes who set out from Chicomoztoc, “the land of seven caves,” far in the north, and at other times pretended descent from the fabulous Toltecs, claims which Sahagun intimates were fictions of the Nahuas living among them.[174] The Zapotecs made use of a calendar, the outlines of which have been preserved. It is evidently upon the same astronomical theory as the Mexican, as was their system of enumeration. Their language is not inharmonious. It is called the _ticha za_, “language of the noble people.” ZAPOTEC-MIXTEC LINGUISTIC STOCK. _Amusgos_, in Guerrero. _Chatinos_, in Oaxaca, department of Jamiltepec. _Chuchonas_, on borders of Oaxaca and Guerrero. _Cuicatecos_, in Oaxaca, department of Teotilan. _Mazatecos_, in Oaxaca, near boundary of Puebla, in ancient province of Mazatlan. _Mixtecos_, in Oaxaca and Guerrero. _Papabucos_, in Oaxaca. _Soltecos_, in Oaxaca. _Zapotecos_, in Oaxaca. 6. THE ZOQUES AND MIXES. The mountain regions of the isthmus of Tehuantepec and adjacent portions of the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca are the habitats of the Zoques, Mixes, and allied tribes. The early historians draw a terrible picture of their valor, savagery and cannibalism, which reads more like tales to deter the Spaniards from approaching their domains than truthful accounts.[175] However this may be, they have been for hundreds of years a peaceful, ignorant, timid part of the population, homely, lazy and drunken, but not violent or dangerous. The Mixes especially cultivate abundance of maize and beans, and take an interest in improving the roads leading to their towns.[176] The faint traditions of these peoples pointed to the south for their origin. When they lived in Chiapas they were conquered by the Chapanecs (Mangues), and this induced many of them to seek independence in the Sierra to the north and west. At present the main village of the Mixes is San Juan Guichicovi, while the Zoques are scattered between the Rio del Corte and the Rio Chiapa. They are described as agricultural and laborious, but also as stupid, inclined to drunkenness, and very homely.[177] A comparison of the two languages leaves no doubt as to their derivation from a common stem. ZOQUE LINGUISTIC STOCK. _Chimalapas_, a sub-tribe of Zoques. _Mixes_, in Oaxaca, and on the Isthmus. _Tapijulapanes_, on Rio de la Sierra. _Zoques_, in eastern Tabasco, Chiapas and Oaxaca. 7. THE CHINANTECS.