ADOBE: Sun baked bricks of mud and straw. This also refers to structures made of this material.

BOTA: A bag made of sewn rawhide with the hairside in for waterproofing. These bags were used for transporting tallow, which was poured into them from the try-pots. They were also used as leather leggings worn by the vaqueros when they rode to protect their shins.

CARRETTA: Two-wheeled carts pulled by oxen. This was a very important piece of equipment, used for hauling all their goods and for transportation in old California.

COMAL: Iron plate, some with handles, used for a grill in cooking.

HACIENDA: A tract of land, varying in sizes, that was usually designated for agriculture.

HORNO: A hive shaped oven made out of Adobe bricks.

MAJORDOMA: A person chosen by the owner of the rancho to oversee the day-to-day operation of the rancho, he was the foreman.

MANTANZA: This is a late spring round-up for the cattle. At this time the cattle were either branded or slaughtered for their hides.

PRESIDIO: Permanent military bases built in California. There were four built, San Francisco, Monterey, Santa Barbara and San Diego.

RANCHO: A large tract of land given to Mexican citizens to be used for raising cattle.

RAWHIDE: Untreated cowhide usually sun-dried. This material was used on basic tools or made into a rope to help hold members of a building in place.

REBOZOS: A woman's large shawl. Worn in everyday dress. Rebozos were worn about the head and shoulders, and could be used to carry infants and other burdens.

RIATA: Rope made from braided horsehair or rawhide. This was carried by the vaqueros and used as a lasso or lariat.

SECULARIZATION: A law passed by the Mexican Congress (1833), that put all mission property in secular or non-religious hands. Missions were turned into parish churches. The mission lands were divided up among the Native Indians.

SERAPES: Large wool blankets worn as ponchos by the men. They were made at the missions and at the haciendas.

TAHONA: Stone mills for grinding grain. This had two circular-horizontal stones which between the grain was grounded.

TALLOW: Boiling of animal fat, this job was very unpleasant and long hours. Tallow was used for making candles and soap. It was also used as a lubricant.

TRY-POTS: Iron cauldrons (large) used for rendering animal fat into tallow.

VAQUERO: A Spanish cowboy; most cowboys were Native Indians.