52 ANCIENT ART OF THE PROVINCE OF CHIRIQUI. 



It should 1)6 observed that if these e,ir]\' Amevican bells were copied 

 from or based upon Sj)anish oii-iii;ils llie\- would not probably vary 

 greatly in type with the various sections from which they are recov- 

 ered, but it is observed that marked and persistent differences do 

 occur. The well known Mexican bell, an example of which is out- 

 lined in Fig. 44, although of bronze, is generically distinct in form 

 and construction. 



In a brief review I may recall the more salient points regarding 

 the use of metals in ancient Chiriciui. Gold, silver, copper, and ap- 

 parently tin are represented. 



Gold and copper were very plentifully distributed among the isth- 

 mian races, but we have little information as to the sources of sui> 

 ply. Free gold is found in the stream beds of many localities, and 

 copper was probably found in its native state in some convenient 

 locality; yet it is not impossible that these metals were transported 

 from- distant regions, as the inhabitants of Chiriqui must have had 

 considerable intercourse with those of Central America on the north 

 and with those of Granada on the south. Silver and tin are found 

 in alloys with gold and copper, but not as independent metals. 

 The silver gold alloy is probably a natural compound. In no case 

 have I found silver to exceed per cent, of the composite metal. 

 Tin was artificially alloyed with copper, forming bronze. The latter 

 metal resembles our ordinary bronze in color and hardness, but I am 

 iinable to secure more than a qualitative analysis on account of the 

 scarcity of si^ecimens available for the j)iiri30se. "We have no infor- 

 mation in r(_',n;ii-il In tin' ori,L;in of the tin. It is not found in a native 

 state, and siiiei' it seems liardly probable that the Chiriquians under- 

 stood smeltiiiL;- cji'es we are left in doubt as to whether it was obtained 

 from more cultured nations t(j the north or to the south or from ti'ans- 

 oceanic countries. 



The gold-CD] iper allnys appear tn range between pure gold and pure 

 copper. If 1lie lirnii/.e is of Kurdiieau ui-igiii. tlieii we must conclude 

 that all objects made of tliat metal are of iiost-C'olunibian manu- 

 facture. This question will probably be detinitely settled in the 

 near futtire. 



The greater number of the objects were formed by casting in molds. 

 Hammering was but little practiced, excepting, apparently, in the 

 formation of sheet gold, which was probably an indigenous product. 

 Repoussd work is not found, save as represented in the crimping 

 and indenting of gold leaf. Engraving and carving were not jjrac- 

 ticed. It may be considered certain that gilding, or at least jjlating, 

 was understood. 



The objects are obtained from ancient graves of Avhich no record 

 or reliable tradition is j^reserved. They are all ornaments, no coin, 

 weapon, tool, or utensil having come to my notice. The absence of 



