20 ANCIENT ART OF THE PROVINCE OF CHIRIQl'I. 



more or less comi)letely into anotlier. We have the plain slab or 

 rudely liewn mass of rock, in the npjjer surface of which a shallow 

 depression has been excavated; we have the carefully hewn oval slab 

 supported by short legs of varied shape; and we have a large num- 

 ber of pieces elaborately sculptured in imitation of animal forms. 

 The first variety is common to nearly all temperate and tropical 

 America and does not require further attention here. The second 

 variety exhibits considerable diversity in form. The tablet is oval, 

 concave above, and of an even thickness. The periphery is often 

 squared and is in many cases ornamented with carved figures, either 

 geometric devices or rudely sculptured animal heads. The legs arc 

 generally three in number, but four is not unusual. They are mostly 

 conical or cylindrical in shape and are rather short. 



The finest example of the second class has an oval plate 37 inches in 

 length, 29 in width, and "2 inches thick, which is nearly symmetrical 

 and rather deeply concave above. The central portions of the basin 

 are worn quite smooth. Near the ends, within the basin, two pairs of 

 small animal-like figures are carved, and ranged about the lower 

 margin of the periphery are eighty-seven neatly sculptured heads of 

 animals. There are four short cylindrical legs. This superb piece of 

 work is shown in Fig. 9. 



t'la. 9. Mealing stone mth large talilet ornamented with animal heads, from Gnalaea— ;. 



Examples of the third class are all carved to imitate the puma or 

 ocelot. The whole creature is often elaborately worked oi;t in the 

 round from a single massive block of stone. The thin tablet repre- 

 senting the body rests upon four legs. The head, which projects 

 from one end of the tablet, is generally rather conventional in style, 

 but is sculptured with sufficient vigor to recall the original quite 

 vividly. The tail appears at the other end and c\irves downward, 

 connecting with one of the hind feet, probably for greater seciirity 

 against mutilation. The head, the margin n\' tlie body, and the ex- 

 terior surfaces of the legs are elaboratclx ilccniatcil with tasteful carv- 

 ing. The figures are geometric, and refir. im dmibt, to the markings 

 of the animal's skin. Nearly identical specimens are obtained from 

 Costa Rica and other parts of Central America. 



