1898-99.] DECIPHERING HIEROGLYPHIC INSCRIPTIONS OF CENTRAL AMERICA. [5 
over this, however.” The left slab is supposed to be still 2 sztu, and 
the centre one where Captain Brown’s bearers were compelled to drop 
their precious burden in the forest. 
Although the trustworthy illustration might speak for itself, Mr. 
Stephens’ description may not be superfluous. He says: ‘The 
principal subject is the cross. It is surmounted by a strange bird. 
The two figures are evidently important personages. They are well 
drawn, and in symmetry of proportion are perhaps equal to many that 
are carved on the ruined walls of Egypt. Their dresses are in a style 
different from any heretofore given, and the folds would seem to indicate 
that they were of a soft and pliable texture, like cotton. Both are 
looking toward the cross,and one seems in the act of making an offering, 
perhaps a child. All speculations on the subject are of course entitled 
to little regard, but perhaps it would not be wrong to ascribe to these 
personages a sacerdotal character. This tablet of the cross has given 
rise to more learned speculations than any others found at Palenque. 
Du Paix and his commentators, assuming for the building a very 
remote antiquity, antecedent to the Christian era, account for the 
appearance of the cross by the argument that it was known and had a 
symbolic meaning long before it was established as the emblem of the 
Christian faith. There is no doubt that the symbol of the cross is 
contained upon the tablet. The symbol in this case has a complicated 
character. These are the features of the cross, namely, the upright 
pieces, and the cross-pieces or arms, but the arms terminate with 
figures which resemble maces or battle axes, such as are used among 
the native races. The centre of the standard has the figure of a winged 
arrow. The top of the standard is ornamented by various expressive 
symbols, somewhat resembling the horns on the Assyrian columns, and 
on the top stands the thunder bird. The bird is ornamented with 
tassels, and pendants, and symbols of various kinds. The base of the 
cross also has various ornaments, which we will not undertake to 
explain. The whole cross rests on a masked face, which somewhat 
resembles the human countenance, but is distinguished by a peculiar 
mouth and eye, the eye somewhat resembling that in the rain-god, a 
figure which may be seen in the temple of the sun at Palenque. 
Pendant from the arms of the cross are ornaments which reach to the 
floor on either side, containing various symbols, and among them, heads 
with protruding tongues, and various symbolic figures emanating from 
their eyes. There is also, on the ornamentation of the standing figure 
at the left, another cross, and among the hieroglyphics on either side, 
the Greek tau can be recognized.” 
