Chalchihuitls from Central America. 257 



reached each other within half an inch, when the intermediate 

 core, if I may so call it, was broken off. The swerve of the 

 saw is distinctly visible from the top as well as the bottom, 

 although the strice are nearly polished out. This was clearly 

 intended to be suspended, as there are no means by which to 

 fasten it to robes of any kind. It must have served as a gorget 

 or breast-plate. 



Fig. 5. — This is a most interesting, although a very irregular, 



Fig. 5. 



Chalchihuitl from Ocosingo. Two-thirds actual size. 



and comparatively rude specimen, four inches and two-tenths 

 long by two and a half inches wide at its widest part. The 

 back shows a compact greenish stone, with the same evidences 

 of having been sawn from a solid block, to which I have al- 

 luded in describing Fig. 4. The front appears as if of a bril- 

 liant green enamel, exhibiting a full human face with a large 

 and elaborate feather helmet or crown, huge ear and neck 

 ornaments impossible to describe, and only to be understood 

 by inspection of the original. This, too, is pierced, like that 

 last described, from edge to edge, near its upper end. 



