THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



19 



THE READING ROOM. 



ter to Nicaragua. The largest statue, carved in black basalt, was obtained from 

 the Island of Momotombita, in Lake Managua, where there was a temple or sacred 

 place. The figure with the sphinx-like head-dress is also from the same locality. 

 One or two of the other statues, by the Indians of the Pueblo of Subtiava, near 

 Leon, having been buried a great number of years, and the locality carefully con- 

 cealed, they are somewhat mutilated. A small group of these monuments exists 

 in the depths of the forest midway between Leon and the Pacific, which is still 

 secretly visited by the Indians for the performance of dances and other rites 

 pertaining to their primitive religion. The small figure resembling some animal 

 couchant was, until very recently, preserved on a remarkable rock on the side of 

 the volcano of Omatepec, and regarded with high veneration by the Indians. It 

 was only after many years of search that the priests were able to find and remove 

 it. The granite vase, distinguished by the ornaments called grecques by Hum- 

 boldt, (and which characterize the ruins at Mitla, in Mexico,) was dug up near 

 the city of Nicaragua. The spot had been a cemetery of the ancient inhabitants. 



