276 FiEij) Columbian Museum — Anthropology, Vol. II. 

 SERPENT HEAD-DRESSES. 



In addition to the various forms of head-dress which have already 

 been described, there are several which from their great interest 

 deserve special consideration. In PI. XCVI we have one of the most 

 remarkable fragments of heads found at La Plata. There is repre- 

 sented the upper left-hand portion of the head. The eye has received 

 an unusual treatment. The upper lid is prolonged to an extent of 

 half an inch out over the eye, and the edge of the lid has received 

 two small rounded pellet decorations at the extreme sides. Over the 

 head is a broad ribbon-like band passing from the region of the ear 

 up on the forehead above the eye; this has a serrated edge. On the 

 extremities of the serrations there are round masses, while the front 

 surface has been decorated by lines and perforated circles. The 

 band next the face bears a band of clay, terminating just in front of 

 the ear in a spiral and over the forehead in the open mouth, with the 

 projectile fangs of a serpent. On the lower side of this band are two 

 reptilian feet. A close inspection however, of the broad lateral 

 appendage makes it evident that the band itself is a component part 

 of the serpent, there being an eye just above the mouth, while the 

 band itself terminates in a double nostril. In the serration of the 

 band we may have a representation of the plumed serpent common 

 in Yucatan and other regions of Central and South America. 



In PI. XCVII we have additional specimens in which the con- 

 ventionalized serpent appears, the form here being rather suggested 

 than represented in detail. A band in both specimens passes from 

 the ear up over the forehead and down on the other side. The bands 

 project out over the side of the face as in the above specimen, and as 

 in the preceding specimen, they are decorated with incised lines. 

 In both specimens the projection above the eye bears three rounded 

 pellets. 



In PI. XCVIII are three fragments all representing small por- 

 tions of the right side of the body. In Fig. h the arm rests on the 

 curved legs, while just over the shoulder appears the conventionalized 

 serpent's head. In Fig. c only a portion of the shoulder is repre- 

 sented; this also bears a serpent's head. Fig. a must have been a 

 very large image; also like the other two specimens, it bears a con- 

 ventionalized serpent's head. 



In PI. XCIX we have four additional representations of the 

 heads of serpents. In Fig. a we have a fragment possibly from some 

 very large image. The head in this specimen as represented is un- 

 usually large, with a bifurcated nostril and large eyes. The body is 



