CULTURE OF PEOPLE OF SOUTHEASTERN PANAMA 81 



image of a bird, probably a parrot, with wings and back painted 

 black, but with breast colored a mottled red and black and bordered 

 with zigzag bands of red, stands 35.6 cm. (14 in.) high. The bird 

 beak is hook-shaped and is represented as agape. The eyes of 

 glass beads sunk into the wood on the lateral surfaces of the head 

 are surrounded each by a narrow elliptic segment of white painted 

 surface. The wing feathers are indicated by vertical incisions at the 

 tip, forming fillets representing feathers (Cat. No. 327501, U.S.N.M., 

 pi. 21, No. 1). 



Another bird figure carving, presumably a kite, similar to Ictinia 

 plumbea, carved by the Choco from a block of wood 42.7 cm. (16.8 

 in.) in height, of which 22.9 cm. (9 in.) is taken up by the bird figure 

 and the balance by the circular wood pedestal. The latter is un- 

 painted, while the breast, feet, and inner wing surfaces are in red. 

 The wings appear ruffled, somewhat after the fashion of those of the 

 ungainly vulture. Small lead pellets representing eyes are sunk 

 into the lateral surface of the knob-like head (Cat. No. 327502, 

 U.S.N.M., pi. 21, No. 2). 



Reptile carvings. — Many other wood carvings from balsa wood 

 and other harder cedars and hardwoods are in the Museum collec- 

 tions from Darien. Although the representations vary from those 

 of native chiefs, headmen, doctors, and various female figures to 

 animal and bird carvings, many are images of reptiles, comprising 

 snakes, lizards, alligators, and frogs. 



A peculiar human figure carving that shows negroid facial fea- 

 tures comes from the Caribbean coast near the southeastern boundary 

 of the Tule Indian territory beyond Caledonia Bay. The figure is 

 shaped from a slab of hardwood, 76.3 cm. (30 in.) in length and 

 stained with a brown paint. A miniature hat, too small to cover the 

 head, decorates the top of the figure. The articulated arm and leg 

 parts are socketed to the torso with iron nails. Male sex organs and 

 gluteal muscles are similarly attached. The figure was probably 

 made by the Cimaroons of southeastern Panama (Cat. No. 327497, 

 U.S.N.M.). 



The numerous reptilian carvings of the Choco are made entirely 

 from balsa wood, while the saurian images of the Tule are from a 

 variety of hardwood. Some of these are very interesting and real- 

 istic. Mention will be made of a few of these used by the Choco in 

 connection with their magical healing practices. An alligator 

 carving (Cat. No. 327625, U.S.N.M.) shaped from a single 

 block of balsa wood and reaching a length of 113 cm. (44.4 

 in.), a width of 14.7 cm. (5.8 in.), and a height of 11 cm. (4.3 in.) 

 is painted black except on the belly, on which feet are carved in low 

 relief. The porous nature of the soft wood has allowed the paint to 



