Chalchihuitls from Central America. 249 



is yet another stone called tlilaiotic, a kind of chalchuite, in 

 color black and green mixed. . . . And among the jaspers 

 is a variety in color white mixed with green, and for this reason 

 called iztacchalchiuitl* Another variety has veins of clear 

 green or blue, with other colors interspersed with the white. 

 . . . And there is yet another kind of green stone which 

 resembles the chalehiuities, and called xoxou/iqicitecpatl.f It 

 is known to the lapidaries as tecelic, for the reason that it is 

 very easy to work, and has spots of clear blue. The wrought 

 and curious stones which the natives wear attached to their 

 wrists, whether of crystal or other precious stones, they call 

 chopilotl — a designation that is given to any stone curiously 

 worked or very beautiful." (Historia de Nueva JEspana, lib. 

 xi. cap. viii.) The same author, describing the ornaments 

 which the Mexican lords used in their festivals, speaks of a 

 " head-dress called quetzalalpitoai, consisting of two tassels of 

 rich plumes, set in gold, and worn suspended from the hair at 

 the crown of the head, and hanging down on each side towards 

 the shoulders. They also wear rings of gold around the arms 

 and in their ears, and round their wrists a broad band of 

 black leather, and suspended to this a large bead of chal- 

 chiuitl or other precious stone. They also wear a chin orna- 

 ment (barbote) of chalchiuitl set in gold, fixed in the beard. 

 Some of these barbotes are large crystals, with blue feathers 

 put in them, which give them the appearance of sapphires. 

 There are many other varieties of precious stones which they 

 use for barbotes. They have their lower lips slit, and wear 

 these ornaments in the openings, where they appear as if com- 

 ing out of the flesh ; and they wear in the same way semi- 

 lunes of gold. The noses of the great lords are also pierced, 

 and in the openings they wear fine turquoises or other pre- 

 cious stones, one on each side. They wear strings of precious 



* Iztac signifies white ; i. e. white-chakhihuill. 



\ From xuxouhqui, cosa verde, something green, and tecpall, stone; i.e. green- 

 stone. 



