METATES. 



29 



Fig. 21. 



(see PI. XLVI, fig. a) form a connecting link between mealing stones on the one 

 hand and stools on the other. 



In the Keith collection may be 

 seen two stone metates from Mer- 

 cedes. Costa Rica, like the Lamson 

 specimen in shape, only they are not 

 incised on the sides. The wooden 

 stools or seats in use among the 

 present-day Indians of Chiriqui have 

 approximately the same shape, as 

 may be seen by consulting figure 22. 

 Dr. J. Walter Fewkes describes a re- 

 markable clay figurine from Santo 

 Domingo that is seated on a metate- 

 shaped clay stool. 1 



By cutting a block from the center 

 of each side of the hollow base, as 

 well as from both ends, the four- 

 legged type of metate is produced 

 as seen in figure 23. Animal heads 

 are placed at each end to increase 

 the zoomorphic effect. In the present 

 instance eight diminutive heads are 

 added, none of them projecting be- 

 yond the margin of the plate. 



A somewhat similar specimen is 

 reproduced in figure 24. The in-slop- 

 ing legs are more highly finished. Each pair represents the forelegs of an animal. 

 The head going with one pair is that of the jaguar; the other looks more like that 

 of a mastiff with overhanging upper lips. The outer surface of the legs and the 



Fig. 22. 



Fig. 21. Metate with base open at the ends, the sides being 

 decorated with incised panels. '/ 



Fig. 22. Modern wooden seat used by the Indians of Chi- 

 riqui. '/ 



Fig. 23. Metate of the four-legged type, ornamented with ten animal heads 

 attached to the margin of the plate. '/' 



margin of the plate are decorated with incised patterns. The top of the plate is 

 considerably worn, the wear extending to the low rim, particularly at the ends. 



1 Twenty-fifth ann. rept., Bur. Amer. ethnol., PI. LXXXII, 1903-04. 



