HOLMES] VASES OF THE POLYCHROME GROUP. 147 



known period of Chinese art is truly remarkable. . We cannot, of 

 course, predicate identity of origin even upon absolute identity of 

 appearances, but such correspondences are worthy of note, as they 

 may in time accumi^late to such an extent that the belief in a com- 

 mon origin will force itself upon us. 



Fig. 315. Painted design of vase in Fig. 314, viewed from above, thought to represent a dragon by 

 De Zeltuer; probably a composite of the alhgator and the niuuliey or man. 



Unclassified. — A small number of vases do not admit of classifi- 

 cation under any of the preceding heads. In most cases, however, 

 they are not of especial interest and may be ]),issi'il over. They rep- 

 resent a number of varieties of ware ami :\yr pussilily not all C'liiri- 

 quian, their affinities being rather with the pottrry (it Costa Rica 

 and Nicaragua. One remarkable piece, of which a sketch is given 

 in Fig. .50. c. is of large size and is shaped somewhat like an hour 

 glass, and (ui ai-rciuiit uf its jicculiar form and iuai'kiii,t;s maybe said 

 tore.seinl.lr a .■.,rs..t. Thr u|,|MM- oil,! is >oincwliat the sina'll.T. and 

 the septum, wliich forms the lioltoiii of the vessel, is jilared about 

 an inch above the base of the foot. The interior surface is smoothly 

 polished and painted a dark dull red. The exterior is uncolored and 

 neatly fluted. The t;eries of vertical ribs of the u])per end is sepa- 



