ANCIENT SCULPTURES OF (UJATEMALA. 15 



not tliosc heads represent saints, sonic of whom liad martyreil tlioniselves and whose 

 images had since been set up for adoration ? 



I was informed that similar sculptures are not uncomninu in the neighbor- 

 hood, but the above ones are said to bo much superior in execution. The following 

 localities are said to contain similar sculptures: Santa Ana or Mistan, about nine 

 leagues south of Pantaleon; Gomera, about ten leagues south of Pantaleon. Also 

 in the vicinity of Santa Lucia six heads were to be seen, which were said to exhibit 

 the peculiarity of having animals and bars projecting from the mouths. Even in 

 a place north of Pantaleon is said to be a large head more tlian six feet higli, in 

 similar st^'le with those removed to the house and described above. 



LOS TARROS. 



This place is situated northwest of Pantaleon a few leagues distant. I did 

 not visit the place, the time and weather not permitting it. One of the two sculp- 

 tures found on this place is removed to Pantaleon, and arrangements have already 

 been made to remove the other. Both sculptures are said to be nearly exactly 

 alike, the one remaining in its place only being a little larger. Originally both 

 sculptures stood on a plain facing each other, and 20 to 30 yards apart. Fig. 22 

 represents the smaller of the sculptures, seen from the front, and Fig. 23 the same 

 seen from the side. The size is: hight, 68 inches; width, 44 inches; thickness, 24 

 inches. The sculpture represents the bust of some prominent male personage, 

 standing out in bold relief from a stone slab, slightly ornamented. Above the. slab 

 is seen the head of a large fictitious animal, with a large hole perforating the base of 

 the same. The face of the personage is most serene and noble, and expresses great 

 kindness. The head-dress is very large, a kind of turban, very much inflated, iu 

 front furnished with an ornamental projection, in which is seen a face lying on the 

 side, and in front of this a smaller ornament like a gem. Behind the face 

 are seen three leaves, and behind them, extending towards the margin of the stone 

 slab on each side, a bunch of very long and rather narrow leaves, with a nervation 

 similar to that of Melastoma. The ears of the personage are large, furnished with 

 ornaments, in the middle of which is seen a hanging boss. On the breast is an 

 ornament with five small holes in the margin, and a human face in the center. The 

 fantastic head, hanging ominously above the slab, is of a wonderful effect, and the 

 perforation of its side breaks the heaviness of the sculpture. In elegance of design 

 and in workmanship this stone is undoubtedly one of the very finest ever found in. 

 Central America; and it is much to be regretted that it is not protected from the 



