PAPERS RELATING TO ANTHROPOLOGY. 809 



followers of those first described. The north side has a perpendicular 

 row of glyphs, on each side of which is one figure sitting facing in 

 and offering something having the appearance of a head, just as on the 

 tablets in front of the serpent's head at the temple. These figures had 

 the characteristic large noses and retreating foreheads, with prominent 

 glabellse. Their ornaments are necklaces, cuff-like bracelets and ank- 

 lets, and profuse plumes in the turban-like headdresses. Those on the 

 sides have each in his hand something like a sheaf of wheat. On the 

 top of the altar are other figures and hieroglyphs. 



The ruins were visited by Mr. Alfred P. Maudsley in 1881. After 

 photographing many of the objects, he testified to the excellence of the 

 work of Stephens and Catherwood. I am sure that work will not be . 

 improved on until a party with apparatus for photographing and tak- 

 ing casts goes there to stay at least two months. Such a party, by in- 

 telligent exploration of the neighboring forest as well as the ground 

 already known, might secure an enormous amount of material in a 

 shape to be forever safe. If the hieroglyphs of Central America are 

 ever to be deciphered it is of the utmost importance that ever^^ avail- 

 able specimen should be photographed and cast before the hand of igno- 

 rance or time renders their correct representation impossible. Here are 

 the walls of a pyramid covered with inscriptions, altars, and statues with 

 human figures and hieroglyphs, illustration and text, and the study of 

 the one must assist in unraveling the mysteries of the other. Some of 

 the monoliths have fallen in the last thirty years j others have been 

 mutilated by the ignorant native, who, with a careless swing of his 

 machete, knocks the nose off a statue to see if it breaks easily. 



The road can be made sufficiently good for carts to Jocotaii, thence to 

 Ohiquimula, Zacapa, and Gualan. At the last place we meet large 

 honyos and transportation to the sea. 



According to Mr. McGee, of San Jos^, who has been for years engaged 

 in hauling in this country, a cart will carry one ton, a wagon two. 

 Therefore one of the large statues 12 by 4 by 3 feet cut into two pieces 

 might be transported on wagons, and cut into four, on carts. Two of 

 the finest statues are fallen, one of which is broken just in half. 



From Copan to Izabal $3 is the hire of a pack-mule carrying 200 

 pounds. From Izabal there is a small steamer which connects with the 

 New Orleans line at Livingstone. Again, at less expense the objects 

 might be transported by pack-mules to Gualan, and there embarked for 

 the sea. Thus might be removed a large number of small objects, 

 blocks on which are hieroglyphs, &c. 



By using some discretion a camp might be selected near Copan, where 

 a party could safely, if not comfortably, spend the months of February, 

 March, and April. 



The land in the valley seemed fertile, and a field of fine tobacco ex- 

 tended up to the west wall of the temple. Fruit was scarce, and pines 

 grew close down to the valley. The last night of my stay 1 awoke in 



