INVESTIGATIONS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA 35 



performed on the festival day of a saint, tlie wording of the song has reference to 

 that saint, and is in the Spanish kxnguage, interspersed liere and tliere witli a word 

 from the Naivhuata. From this circumstance it would appear that this dance 

 formed a part of the religious ceremonies of the ancient population. 



With the visit to the eastern section I concluded my researches in the Depart- 

 ment of Sensunat, and went next to the department of Santa Ana. In the city 

 of Santa Ana, the capital of the department, as well as in every place visited in it, 

 I was informed of vestiges of ancient habitation mostly in the shape of pottery 

 and small figures of burnt clay. These figures are called munecas, "dolls". One 

 of these I received as a present in Santa Ana, and in Atiguisaya a fine vase. The 

 donor of this latter was a blacksmith, who had in his dwelling tlie engraved por- 

 trait of Volney, and was familiar with the "Ruins" by that author, and likewise 

 with the works of some Spanish authors. Surely this would be an extraordinary 

 circumstance with a blacksmith in any part of the globe ! 



This vase is pear-shaped, six and three-quarter inches high, and has a diameter 

 of three and three-quarter inches at the top, four inches and a half at the base, 

 and five and a half in its greatest width. It is of burnt clay of a red color, with 

 the appearance of having been glazed. At about the middle of the convex surface, 

 on opposite sides of the vase, are oblong rectangular panels each three inches 

 high, and separated at their approaching ends by a space an inch and a half wide. 

 Within each of these horizontal panels are represented two squatting figures 

 apparently engaged in lively conversation. The relief of the figures is only that 

 of the general surface of the vase. The gorgeous head-dress of one figure is of a 

 gigantic bird of prey with extended wings; and the head of the other is orna- 

 mented with two heads of animals, one placed above another. The fixct that they 

 are conversing is indicated by a staff originating from the mouth of one, and v^hich 

 bends downward and separates into two ends similar to tlie tongue of a serpent ; 

 and from the mouth of the other figure projects a sliort object, perhaps his tongue. 

 One hand of each figure is pointed toward the other figure, the other hand being 

 pressed to the heart with the elbow directed backwards. Between these figures 

 are eight small tablets; four above, and four below the outstretched hands, which 

 undoubtedly contain hieroglyphics. The upper two of the lower tablets represent 

 the heads of birds of prey similar to that forming the head-dress of one of the 

 figures. Behind each figure are some arabesques, as if representing some kind of 

 plant. The two tablets are united by a continuous narrow rim on the top of 

 them. 



Similar relics are found in the town of Aguachapan, but I was not able to get 

 any of them. Aguachapan is the corrupted Whuei-isch-apan (Germ, spell.), great 

 eye (source) of water. 



On the estates Labor, San Lazaro, and Llano Maria (the first visited on 

 account of the Auzoles there), I had occasion to observe the social condition of 

 the agricultural laborers {peons), in that section of the country. 'The holder of 

 such an estate is proprietor of the soil, and a man who desires to settle on it has 

 to pay one dollar monthly for the ground on which he builds his house, and a 

 similar amount for his yard. He is permitted to cut all the wood which he needs 



