378 THE LATIMER COLLECTION OF ANTIQUITIES. 



designed, a second perforation was attempted. This is a fine specimen 

 of perforation, 2.4 by 1 inch. (Fig. 30.) 



17044. A small oblong bead, uufinisbed, showing the striae of the 

 preliminary grinding. 



17053. A string of seventy small chalcedony beads, about the size of 

 peas. They are quite perfectly rounded and i)erforated — some of them in 

 two directions.* This is the most remarkable sample of aboriginal stone 

 polishing and drilling that has ever come under the observation of the 

 writer. It is exceedingly doubtful whether another collection of so many 

 witnesses to savage patience and skill has been found anywhere in one 

 specimen. We are here reminded of the "eight hundred beads of a 

 certain stone called ciba, given by Guacanagari to Columbus on his 

 second voyage." 



17059-60. Slender cylinders of quartz, 5.5 by .6 inches. 



AMULETS AND STONE IMAGES. 



Very little is known of the religion of the Indians living on these 

 islands. Herrera mentions that a sailor of Columbus reported the seeing 

 of a man with a white tunic down to his feet on the island of Cuba, 

 (Stephens's Herrera, i, 131,) and that an old Indian reported a cacique 

 of a certain island who was clad like one of the Catholic priests. 

 (Stephens's Herrera, i, 134.) Two chapters (Herrera, Dec. 1, Book iii, 

 chap. 3, 4,) are devoted to the customs and worship of the Caribs, but 

 little light shines from them upon our stone images. As in many other 

 instances, an accurate description nuxy prove to be the key of the enigma. 



17047. A small lizard-like figure of a black slaty material. The head 

 and tail are broken off; the feet are doubled against the body, repre- 

 sented as covered with scales. Frequent references are made to lizards 

 and alligators in the old chronicles. (Fig. 31.) 



17048, '49, and '50. Small kneeling figures made of white marble. The 

 arms and legs are represented as pinioned back and the shoulder-blades 

 are ])erforated for suspension. These and the two following seem to 

 have been worn as amulets. (Fig. 32.) 



17051. A snuiU kneeling human figure, having the back of the neck 

 perforated. The face is that of an animal, although it is somewhat mu- 

 tilated and indistinct. (Fig. 33.) 



17052. A small erect human figure of green jadelike material, per- 

 forated through the head from ear to ear. (Fig. 34.) 



The inhabitants of Hispaniola, on the authority of Friar Roman, (Ir- 

 ving'sColumbus, 1, 390,) had small images of their gods which they bound 

 about their foreheads when they went to battle. 



The larger stone images or pillar-stones seem to be out of place, when 

 ranged by the side of the elaborate polished objects. They are strikingly 

 similar in rudeness and in general design to some brought from Central 

 America by the Hon. E. G. Squier. The only feature that seems to rise 

 above the most savage simplicity of design is the fact that in some of 



