64 ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCHES IN NICARAGUA. 



only of the man can be distinguished clearly, and it may have been intended to 

 represent the alligator on a rock with the head in its paws.* The portion above 

 ground had for years been used by the Indians as a grindstone to sharpen their 

 machetes. As a consequence the monster's back had suffered, being badly worn 

 in several places. Near by stood a small corral of basalt stones, the tops project- 

 ing above ground. Upon digging into this enclosure a portion of a stone grinder 

 was discovered. 



CARVINGS ON ROCK. 



On a hillside on the southern end of the island, about a mile and a half 

 east of Point San Ramon, are many irregular blocks of basalt with marks and 

 figures cut on them. The hillside faces east, and is about half a mile from the 

 lake. There were similar markings on many of the shore rocks, which, in May, 

 were partially covered with water, notwithstanding that was about the driest 

 season. These markings were excavated about half an inch in depth and a little 

 more in width. Human faces and spiral lines predominated. There was also a 

 crown, a representation of a monkey, and many irregular figures. 



Block No. 1 was about four feet high, of irregular shape, with the following 

 figures on different sides : 



Fig. 121. 



No. 2 was a rough block, some three feet in diameter, with Fig. 122 on one 

 side. 



Fig. 122. 



* In the Museum of Natural History at New York there is a figure in clay, about five inches high, repre- 

 senting a human being having an alligator on the back and head, with one fore-paw on each side of the top of the 

 head. It is in Mr. Squier's collection from Nicaragua. 



