ANTHROPOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



77 



been executed. Some fragments of cups exhibit figures formed of 

 minute hemispherical nodes. They are further embellished by the 



Fig. 8. — Tripod dish with scoriated bottom 



addition of sharp conical nodes about the rim. A remarkable feature 

 of these cups is the occurrence of groups of triangular perforations, 

 cut with a sharp tool, and so arranged as to resemble a Maltese 

 cross. These perforations are placed so low on the body as to 

 make the vessel unfit for containing liquids. In the museum of 

 Mexico there are a few examples extensively perforated, leaving 

 about the middle zone of the body only a sort of lattice work of the 

 original walls. The same style of work is elaborately practiced by , 

 Oriental peoples. 



One large class of vessels resemble an hour-glass in shape. They 

 are really double cups, one end being usually smaller than the other 

 and serving as a foot, but both cups are equally well finished. The 

 exterior surface is highly polished and colored a deep red, and 

 painted with designs in black and white. The fragments are large 

 and very numerous. Fig. 9 illustrates the prevailing form. The 



Fig. 9. Cup with designs in black and wliite upon a red ground, in Mexican 



National Museum. 



