Six Chicano anthologies, five novels, and one poem written between 1959 and 1979, selected for their usefulness as texts for a Chicano literature course, were investigated for occurrence of folk beliefs and legends. The 1959 novel "Pocho" contained one reference to a belief. In the 1967 poem "I Am Joaquin" were references which suggested the influence of legend. Two folk beliefs appeared in the novel "Chicano" (1970). One selection in the anthology "The Chicanos" (1971) featured four folk beliefs. The 1972 novel "Bless Me, Ultima" presented the reader with the greatest number and most skillful use of folkloric motifs, as well as witchcraft, curses and a legend from the Indian heritage of New Mexico. The anthology "Aztlan" (1972) contained references to legends about Joaquin Murrieta and la Llorona, a ghost. Another anthology, "Mexican-American Authors" (1972), contained only two examples of legends. Two legends appeared in another anthology, "Songs & Dreams" (1972). Three beliefs and legends were found in "Yearnings," a companion anthology. Some excellent beliefs and legends appeared in the anthology "We Are Chicanos" (1973). The novel "Heart of Aztlan" (1976) was an excellent source of New Mexican folklore. The novel "Tortuga" (1979) contained several beliefs and mentioned la Llorona. (Author/CM)