164 CONVENTIONALISM 



The Chevron Ornament. Plate V. Figures 1, 2 and 3, 

 are from one tripod, and this is the only instance in the 

 series where the three feet of a vessel are not essentially the 

 same, and even here there is a general similarity though 

 the details vary. It will be noticed that in all three, the 

 caudal fin is represented in its natural, or vertical position, 

 the rays being indicated by the notches cut across the 

 edge of the compressed terminal portion of the foot which 

 is turned forward. 



In figure 1 the head of the fish is triangular, and ter- 

 minates in a truncated nose, on each side of which is the 

 mouth, shown by incised lines. The eyes are two small 

 round bits of clay without the usual line cut across them. 

 Just back of these is the dorsal fin, and on each side of 

 the long central opening of the foot are the pectoral fins, 

 below which the artist has cut two rows of chevron-like 

 lines, which, possibly, may have been suggested by bands 

 of color upon the sides of many tropical fishes. 



In figure 2 there is a slight change from figure 1 in the 

 shape of the head, but the eyes and dorsal fin are in nearly 

 the same relative positions, although varying in their de- 

 tails. The pectoral fins are absent, but the ventrals are 

 represented although not directly opposite each other, 

 and the bands of chevron-like lines are placed between 

 these fins and the eyes. 



In figure 3 there is a marked difference in the manner 

 of representing the mouth. Curved lines are cut in a 

 broad band of clay. Back of these is an enlarged dorsal, 

 on each side of which are the pectoral fins, the eyes be- 

 ing omitted. Below, the ventral fins are introduced, and 

 between them and the pectoral fins are the chevron bands 

 nearly the same as in figure 2. 



The foot from another tripod, given as figure 4, exhibits 

 a result of this chevron ornament. In this all parts of the 



