THE ALLIGATOR GROUP. 127 



body-markings being represented by only one type of scale-group motive. This 

 is repeated three times on the head and five times on the tail. 



A variation of the foregoing is seen in figure 208, which is a tracing from the 

 largest alligator vase in the collection, the gift of Mr. Edwin Lamson of Summit, 

 N. J. Here, the triangular scale-group motives on the head and neck rest on the 



Fig. 208. Alligator in profile with inverted scale-group motives and nuchal appendage. '/> 



apex instead of on the base of the triangle. The scales on the body and tail 

 are grouped, but are not enclosed. The same motive is used for the teeth, the 

 latter being confined to the upper jaw only. This illustrates one of the processes 

 employed in conventionalism, viz., the substitution of one part for another. Atten- 

 tion is called to the appearance of a long crest that is attached to the back of 

 the neck, the meaning of which is not clear; also to the downward sweep of the 

 body curve, which is a marked feature of alligator representations in color. 



There are a number of processes, taken either separately or in combination, 

 that may lead to conventionalism. Some of these are : (1) The reduplication, 

 exaggeration, elimination and fusion of parts ; (2) transposition, shifting and sub- 

 stitution : (3) isolation of parts, and their use independently of the whole ; 

 (4) wholesale reduction and simplification ; and (5) adapting the figure to fit a 



Fig. 209. Detail showing fusion of two alligators in profile. 



given space. To give balance, for example, a second head may be added, as in 

 figure 209, which is in reality a fusion of two alligators, also carrying with it the 

 elimination of the tails and hindlegs. Elimination may arise simply from lack of 

 space, as exemplified in this case by the loss of the nuchal crest from one of the 

 necks. Triangular scale-group motives are recognized on the head and neck at 

 the left. Those on the right are also triangular, but stand on their apices and 



