﻿1 86 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS [VOL. 4/ 



the implication is that these images were used as idols and playecl 

 a conspicuous role in their worship. 



(2) Another fact, quoted as opposed to the Acosta interpretation, 

 is that no tripointed stone has yet been found to fit closely to the 

 undecorated panel of any collar, nor have these objects ever been 

 found united or in close proximity. 



(3) A glance shows that some of these tripointed stones bear 

 birds' heads and representations of wings; others have snouts, like 

 reptiles; and in many, grotesque human faces appear to have been 

 represented, but not a single tripointed stone resembles a serpent's 

 head. To meet this objection it may be urged that primitive art is 

 rarely realistic, but more often is highly conventionalized. 



(4) The presence of legs on a majority of the tripointed stones 

 of all types is fatal to the theory that these images represent heads 

 of apodal serpents. If we avoid this objection by limiting the theory 

 to those tripointed stones which have no legs carved in relief or other- 

 wise, we are obliged to discriminate, for what is true of one ought 

 to hold good for the others. » 



(5) Another objection which may be raised to the Acosta theory 

 is that representations of heads, realistic or symbolic, or both, are 

 cut on the decorated panel border of several collars. Although 

 these carvings are sometimes highly conventionalized, their presence 

 would imply two heads to the same body if a tripointed stone 

 also representing a head were attached to the undecorated panel. 



The weight of evidence thus seems to be against the Acosta 

 theorv that the tripointed stones were attached to stone collars for 

 the purpose of completing idols of which he supposed the two objects 

 formed the component parts. 



The theory that collars and tripointed stones stand in the rela- 

 tionship of female and male symbols, and were used in ceremonies to 

 insure germination or fructification, is not improbable, but like other 

 theories it lacks decisive facts for its support. 



In closing this article 1 find, like those who have previously 

 studied the subject, that what is needed to solve this problem of the 

 stone collars and tripointed idols, are more facts regarding their dif- 

 ferences in form. Especially do we need observations on the associa- 

 tion of these objects with other aboriginal specimens. Are they 

 found with remnants of human skeletons or with other mortuary 

 remains, and, if so, is their association of such a nature that they 

 suggest idols or religious paraphernalia? It is not too late to answer 

 these questions satisfactorily if investigations are continued in parts 

 of Porto Rico hitherto unknown to the archeologist. 



