INVESTIGATIONS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA. 15 



the existence of a former population in this region, for plantains never grow wild. 

 Their presence there shows that circumstances have favored their propagation fur a 

 long period of time. 



These sculptured monoliths are of various sizes and shapes, the tallest being of 

 a columnar form, and about twenty-five feet high, while others do not exceed 

 twelve feet. Both of these classes are three feet wide and two feet deep, and have 

 four sculptured sides. Tlie narrow sides of all the columnar monoliths arc covered 

 with hieroglyphics, resembling those found in Copan. Both the front and rear 

 bear human figures, sculptured in low relief. The persons represented on the rear 

 of those monoliths which are twenty-five feet high, do not seem to have occupied 

 the highest social position, judging from the greater simplicity of their dress and 

 ornaments ; while those in front appear to have been the chiefs of tribes, or of the 

 nation. Their head-dress consists of animals, placed one aboA'e another, resem- 

 bling a tiara. They have ear-rings, and hold in the hand a sceptre or staff, on the 

 top of which is a diminutive figure in a sitting posture. The upper part of the 

 body is clothed with a coat, tlie sleeves of which are wide, and ornamented with 

 a deep cuff, on wliich are two buttons. They also wear a kind of tunic, reaching 

 below the knee in front, with a sash descending to the ankles. The feet are covered 

 with regular shoes. But the most remarkable fact is their having a beard on the 

 chin in the fashion called "goatee." 



On the monoliths twelve feet high are represented figures in profile, Avith ape-like 

 faces, the finger of one hand toucliing the tip of tlie nose. Tlu^y wear breeches, 

 and the right leg is bent at the knee, the foot resting on the toes, as if in the act 

 of dancing. 



Two of the monoliths are four feet thick, five feet broad, and from seven to eight 

 feet high, with rounded tops, the wliole representing a human figure wliose head 

 is covered by or rather inclosed in the mouth of a monstrous animal. The tops 

 are ornamented with arabesques, and so are the sides, on whicli are likewise hiero- 

 glyphs. 



All these monuments are of a gray porphyry. One of tlie columnar monolitlis 

 is lying on the ground, and another stands obliquely, and will most probably fall. 

 All the sculptures are covered with moss, dirt, and climbing plants; indeed, the 

 roots of a tree growing on the top of one have split it in two. 



Besides these sculptures, there are remains of an architectural structure, formed 

 of steps like terraces, similar to the remaining part of an amphitheatre which sur- 

 rounds the sculptured monoliths, the steps having been used as seats. These steps 

 are formed of quadrangular cut stones, some of a dark gray porphyry, and others 

 of white marble. 



These remains are surrounded by trees which do not permit a general view of all 

 at once. It is not improbable that other remains yet exist in the woods; it is in 

 fact supposed that there are such. 



It is strange that, besides a drawing made by Mr. Baily, of Tyabal, of the 

 front side of one columnar monolitli, these sculptures have never been represented, 

 notwithstanding their interesting cliaracter. I resolved to return with my photo- 

 graphic apparatus, and to make copies of them. To do this it would have been 



