Unnamed section, p. 55 Summary and Analysis

After the specimens are sorted, the expedition members go ashore and visit a local cantina in the town of San Lucas. The town has recently suffered a great flood and is in disrepair. The young men who hang about the cantina seem languid and depressed, and are not even enlivened when Steinbeck and Ricketts order drinks all around. A local liquor is offered that is reputed to be an aphrodisiac. Steinbeck and Ricketts buy some, only to have it taken away later by US Customs.

Steinbeck declares their intention of conducting "scientific" testing to determine if the liquor works, as he does not believe there is really any true aphrodisiac. He notes how many people are really interested in this subject, but pretend not to be. He also mentions that he and Ricketts were a bit concerned...