42 



A NATURALIST IN MEXICO. 



plumes which fell S3mimetrically on each side, and touched 

 the ornament on which the feet of the figure rested. 



Another ornament which was seen about the ruins 

 more frequently than any other, consisted of a stone pro- 

 jecting from the wall one foot and seven inches, and in the 





„^^'"c./ 



ROOM IN THE HOUSE OF THE GOVERNOE. 



shape of a coiled elephant's trunk. This projecting stone 

 was seen in many places about the building, and especially 

 on the corners. It was always associated with, and 

 formed part of another, consisting of scroll-work and 

 squares, and was probably intended to convey some idea, 

 either historical or mythical, to the people wIid inhabited 

 this city. In fact, everything about these ornaments 

 seemed to point to the fact that they were hieroglyphics, 

 intended to represent the history of these strange people. 



The rear elevation of this building was a solid wall, 

 without doorways or openings of any kind. The two ends 



