of domestication; 8. The specimens represent a well- 
defined evolutionary series in a race of maize which still 
exists in Mexico; 4. The earliest maize definitely has its 
affinities in the south and is of Mayan origin. 
The specimens comprise 177 items, including 87 cobs 
and fragments of cobs large enough for detailed study ; 
31 small fragments of cobs; 56 husks; and three quids 
which appear to be chewed maize husks. 
Classification of the Cobs 
As a whole, the cobs represent the most uniform lot 
of prehistoric maize which we have studied. Of the 87 
cobs, 78 can be said, without much question, to belong 
to a single race which is clearly related to the living 
Mexican race, Nal-Tel. This race has been described by 
Wellhausen et a/ (1952), who report that it is grown in 
a number of localities in the states of Yucatan and Cam- 
peche and, sporadically, in Guerrero, Oaxaca, and San 
Luis Potosi. Nal-Tel is regarded by these authors as 
one of the four ancient indigenous races of Mexico and, 
therefore, as relatively primitive when compared to other 
races of modern maize. Nal-Tel is believed to have been 
widely distributed in ancient times. It is one of the pu- 
tative parents of a number of modern Mexican races of 
maize, including Zapalote Chico, Zapalote Grande, Bo- 
lita, and Vandeno. Ears of it are depicted on a specimen 
of pottery from Guatemala and on Zapotec funerary urns 
(Plates XX XV and XXXVI). 
Nal-Tel is described by Wellhausen et al as a race of 
short, early-maturing plants almost lacking in pubes- 
cence. The ears are small, short, and taper slightly at 
both ends. The number of kernel rows is usually ten or 
twelve. The kernels are small, broader than long, rounded 
and flinty. The rachis is slender and the glumes are rela- 
tively long and prominent. The shank, or peduncle, on 
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