BY AXCIE^^T INHABITANTS OF CHIRIQUI. 



17 



has in finishing received a very thin wash or pUiting of yellow gold, 

 wliich is worn off in exjiosed parts. The central feature of the rather 

 complicated structure is a grotesque human tigure, much like the pre- 

 ceding, and having counterjiarts in both clay and stone. The figure is 

 backed up and strengthened by two curved and flattened bars of gold, 

 one above and the other below, as seen in the cut. The figure is decked 

 with and almost hidden by a profusion of curious details, executed for 

 the most part in wire, and representing serpents and birds. Three vult- 

 ure like heads project from the crown and overhang the face. Two 

 serpents, the bodies of which are formed of plaited wire, issue from the 

 mouth of the figure and are held about the neck by the hands. The 

 heads of the serpents are formed of wire folded in triangular form, and 

 are supplied with two double coils of wire at the sides, as if for ears, 

 and with two little balls of gold for eyes. Similar heads project from 

 the sides of the head and from the feet of the image. 



Tlie peculiarities of construction are seen to good advantage in this 

 specimen. The figure is made up of a great number of separate pieces, 

 united apparently by i)ressure or by hammering while the material was 

 somewhat plastic. Upwards of eighty pieces can be counted. The 

 larger pieces, forming the body and limbs, are hollow or concave behind, 

 ifearly all the subordinate parts are constructed of wire. 



The bird. — Images of birds are quite numerous and vary greatly in size 

 and elaboration. They are usually represented with expanded wings 

 and tails, the under side of the body being finished for show. The back 

 is left concave and rough, as when cast, and is supplied with a ring, 

 for suspension or attachment, as seen in the profile view, Fig. 7. The 



Fi«. 7. Rudely executed image of a bird. 



owl, the eagle, the parrot, and various other birds are recognized, 

 although determinations of varieties are not possible, as in many cases 

 the forms are rude or greatly obscured by extraneous details. The ex- 

 ample shown in Fig. 7 is of the simplest type and the rudest vvorkmau- 

 shij), and is apparently intended for some rapacious species, possibly a 

 vulture. The body, wings, and tail are hammered (piite thin and are 

 left frayed and uneven on the edges. The material appears to be nearly 

 pure copper, plated with yellow gold. Specimens of this class are very 

 numerous. One, i)resented in a i)ublicatiou of the Society of ^sTorthern 

 CHIR 2 



