RUINS OF XOCHICALCO. 77 



glyphics and figures, among which the most conspicuous are 

 those of the corners representing dragoons ejecting water from 

 their mouth, and all along the building, figures of warriors 

 seated with their legs across one another, and with their heads 

 covered with helmets adorned with long plumes of green 

 feathers and the head of a snake. Other remains of small 

 animals, flowers, etc., are also to be seen, but it is difficult to 

 make out some of them. 



It is a wonder how these Indians could build such a fine 

 and solid building, if we consider that a prodigious quantity 

 of large stones was required for it, and no quarry of the 

 same stone as used, has yet been found in the neighbourhood. 

 From whence they came, how they managed to carry them 

 there, and heave them up to the summit of the hill, is a 

 matter of amazement, when we consider that machines were 

 unknown. 



Another remarkable fact which this temple has in 

 common with all similar Mexican antiquities, is that the 

 four frontages correspond exactly with the four cardinal 

 points of north, south, east, and west, as it is also the case 

 with the Egyptian pyramids, which clearly show that they 

 were experts in astronomy. The first story is twelve yards 

 high, including the cornices, and sculptured all along. Some 

 of the figures occupy two or three stones, showing that they 

 have been done after the completion of the temple. From 

 what remains of the second story it must have been of the 

 same height. Some remains of vermilion can still be seen, 

 and it is probable that all the temple was painted of that colour. 



In the neighbouring hill of Tepeyoculco exists a mine of 

 cinnabar, which has probably supplied the colour. 



The quality of the stone of this valuable architecture is a 

 sort of pale gray stone, like that employed in the millstones 

 of Europe, and this is the reason why it has been so much 

 sought after by the farmers, for the construction of ovens and 

 such like. Each stone is tw r o yards long, one yard wide, and 

 one yard thick. Those of the corners are still larger. 



The ditch, which surrounds the hill, the covering of the 

 terraces, the wall which protects the platform, all tend to 

 show that it must have been built for the purpose of a fortress, 

 as well as that of a temple. 



The hill presents the aspect of a large snail. 



As it was impossible to climb over the wall, from one 

 terrace to the other, it was necessary to walk a distance of 

 about six miles before reaching the platform. 



