INVESTIGATIONS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA. 71 



human head, from the mouth of which issues a curved staff, while other staves in 

 the shape of arrows appear on the side of the head. 



Sculpture Number V, Plate III. 



The broader side of a dark gray porphyritic block of the same dimensions as 

 the previous one, is sculpturotl on nine feet of its upper part. The sculpture is 

 bordered by a rim which on the top and two sides is al out two and one-tenth inches 

 wide, wliile its width at the base is six inches. A small portion of the block from 

 the left upper corner almost to the right is broken ; there are also two small 

 erasures on the surface. 



Again we see on this slab the head, chest, and arms of a deity represented, 

 beneath which is a person adoring. The forehead of the deity is surrounded by 

 the stereotyped frill. The sole ornaments of the head consist of staves winding 

 in various directions, the bearers of the deity's mandates expressed in cipher lan- 

 guage. Between the upper lip and the nose is an ornament, the only instance of 

 its occurrence excepting upon the human skull forming the gauntlet of tlie person 

 in sculpture No. 4. From the ears depend large rings. The hair hangs down in 

 a braid on either side of the head. A single row of small circular disks with 

 elevations in the centre adorns the neck. Tlie breast is ornamented by two twisted 

 ribbons. Both wrists are covered by bracelets consisting of four rows of quadran- 

 gular stones. From the neck emanate two staves bearing nodes, buds, and otlier 

 unknown figures. Attention is especially called to the disposition of tlie two 

 staves arising from the top of the head. After curving outward for a short dis- 

 tance they are connected by an arched ridge, upon which as a base a triangle is 

 erected; and in the centre of the inclosed space are two mysterious emblems. The 

 ridge forming the central triangle is prolonged so as to divide the entire upper 

 part of the stone into five triangular spaces, which are embellished by the leaves, 

 buds, and other ornaments on the winding staves. These three triangles 

 seem to be the mystic signs for a religious expression, which we find represented 

 in various places, as on the helmet of the adoring person, and also in other sculp- 

 tures. On the left shoulder of the deity is a sheaf of the leaves of tlie maize. 

 From the last-named emblem we may take this figure as the representation of the 

 "god of fertility." The head of the person standing beneath, with face upturned, 

 is ornamented with a frill and a kind of helmet from which the above-mentioned 

 lobes ascend. The stone is somewhat eroded, which defaces the forehead, nose, 

 chin, and cheek of the figure. To the top of this helmet is attached a large tuft 

 of plumes. The loose hair to which the skin of an animal and other ornaments 

 are attached, floats down the back. From tlie lobe of the ear is suspended a large 

 ring, and a single row of spherical beads forms the ornament of the neck and 

 breast. The right wrist is ornamented with a similar bracelet to that of the deity, 

 wiiile the skull of a wild animal serves as a gauntlet to the riglit hand. This 

 seems to indicate that not only human beings, but animals were offered in sacrifice 

 to the gods. The Avaist is encircled by a stiff girdle, on the back of which again 

 appears the head of a wild animal, and on the fore part are oblique perforations. 

 To the lower part of this girdle is attached a broad textile band divided into two 



