COLUMBIAN HISTORICAL EXPOSITION AT MADRID. 59 



Another relic from this nation, one that has excited considerable 

 attention from its curious form, is a stone marked No. 345, formerly 

 supposed in some way to indicate the calendar of the tribe, but which 

 at present is generally considered to have been intended as a mold on 

 which thin plates of gold were hammered in order to bring them into 

 a desired shape. Reference will be had to this fact in speaking of 

 the exhibit of the German section. 



Several of their instruments of music,*such as whistles and bells, 

 were included among the objects shown, and also pieces of cloth woven 

 by the ancient inhabitants of the country, obtained from sepulchers in 

 the vicinity of this primitive capital. They are of cotton, some white 

 and other portions dyed in yellow and blue. 



On reaching the State of Ecuador, we find in the objects shown dis 

 tinct marks of the influence of the great cultured state of the Incas 

 to the south; for instance, in a looking-glass of obsidian of circular 

 form, polished on both its surfaces, and with a prolongation having a 

 hole bored through it, evidently for the purpose of fastening by a 

 cord or suspension. There is also a fine series of polished and well- 

 shaped stone axes, usually of a greenish or blackish diorite, and several 

 good specimens of pottery, some of elegant form and fine clay. 



The collection from Peru is peculiarly rich and includes a vast num 

 ber of objects illustrating the highest degree of art of the ancient 

 inhabitants. It was obtained principally from various localities along 

 the coast or in the warm western valleys of the Andes, and therefore 

 represents more especially the industry of the Yuncas, the tribe who 

 dwelt in that locality, and who, as has already been remarked, spoke a 

 different language and belonged to a different stock from the ruling 

 nation, the Incas, who occupied the higher land in the interior. 

 Among religious objects exhibited were a large number of idols made 

 from burnt clay, from copper, from silver, from bronze, and rarely 

 from stone. 



Among them was one which was especially prominent by being alone 

 in a case separate from the rest. It represented a human figure seated 

 upon a throne Avhich was inclosed by two snakes. In the hands of the 

 figure were two tables on which were inscribed characters distinctly 

 resembling the Chinese script. An image of the sun rested on the head 

 of the figure, and around its neck was a collar bearing three eggs; the 

 hair was plaited, somewhat resembling the queue of the Chinese, but 

 which is also occasionally seen among some of the natives of the 

 higher Andes. This object is alleged to have been discovered near the 

 Port of Truxillo, but no detailed description of its finding could be 

 obtained. Inasmuch as it is not supported by any other finds of a 

 similar character, and is left without verification as to the method or 

 date of its exhumation, the observer is justified in harboring serious 

 doubt as to its genuineness. 



Among the weapons of war presented, there are a number of stone 



