INVESTIGATIONS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA. 81 



presentation of death it would seem that this stone was used as an altar for human 

 sacrifices. The excavation on the top might serve to receive the blood. 



Sculpture Number XIX, Plate VIII. 



This is a large fragment of a stone similar to those before described. The 

 sculpture on it is greatly effaced, but enougli is preserved to show that it repre- 

 sented the head, arms, and breast of a deity. Two entwined speech-staves cover 

 the forehead. The ears are each ornamented with a circular disk havin<j a boss in 

 the centre, and a long pendant. Several strings of square stones form the necklace, 

 and rows of circular disks, most likely of some kind of metal, hang down from the 

 shoulder to the breast, above which two winding speech staves are seen. The left 

 hand rests on the breast, the drooping right hand is effaced. Above the head are 

 five rows of ornaments similar to those now used in cornices. Their position and 

 arrangement seem to indicate tJieir having formed the capital of a pillar. Below 

 the deity a part of the staff is visible, which usually ascends from the mouth of a 

 suppliant. 



Sculpture Number XX, Plate VIII. 



This sculpture represents an individual sitting cross-legged. It is two feet six 

 inches higl], and two feet four inches at its greatest width. The head and hands, 

 which rested on tlie breast, are wanting. A double frill, with a bow-knot in the 

 front, ornaments tlie neck. The remainder of two pendants indicates the position 

 of the ears. A round brooch adorns the breast, and the hands seem to be holdinsr 

 an emblem of a religious character. The waist is surrounded by two bands, which 

 intertwine in front. From this girdle descends an ornament like an apron, adorned 

 with seven rows of circles. Owing to the want of familiar attributes it is impos- 

 sible to designate the character of this statue. 



Sculpture Number XXI, Plate VIII, 



This represents the head and bust of a human figure holding the clenched hands 

 to the breast. A frill surrounds the forehead. Two bands, one above the other, 

 with a circular disk liaving a globe in its centre, adorn the forepart of the head. 

 The hair, unadorned, is turned back smoothly. A pyriform pendant ornaments 

 the ear. A row of eight circles conceals the greater part of the bust. These cir- 

 cles are probably the signs of ninnerals, as has been remarked already. Frmn the 

 back of the bust projects a rough piece of tlie stone by which it was fastened in 

 its place. This specimen lay near the heap containing many of the other sculptures. 



Sculpture Number XXII, Plate VIII. 



This sculpture is two feet long, one and a half foot high, and one foot wide, and 

 represents an animal's head, though rather grotesquely. Througli tlie open lips four 

 tusks are visible, witli two incisions between. The jaws on tlic sides contain like- 

 wise tAvo teeth. 'I'his head is encircled by a ring, from tlic back of Avhich projects 

 a part of the uncut stone, to fasten the image in its place. This stone was far 

 removed from the othere, lying in the yard of the Ilectory of the village. 



11 December, 1378. 



