17S ANCIENT AKT OF THE PKOVINCK OF CHIKlyUI. 



ill Fig. 368 is extremely interesting on account of its complexity and 

 the novel treatment of the various features. The two feet are placed 

 close together near the middle of the curved body, and on i-itlierside 

 of these are the under jaws tinned hack and armed witli dental pro- 

 jections for teeth. The cliararteristic scale symbols occur at inter- 

 vals along the back; and very curiously at one place, where there is 

 scant room, simple dots are employed, showing the identity of these 

 two characters. Some curious auxiliary devices, the origin of which 

 is obscure, are used to fill in marginal spaces. The shape given in Fig. 

 269 is so highly modified that it is not recognizable as an animal form, 

 excepting through a series of links connecting it with more realistic 

 delineations. It is perfectly symmetrical and consists of a compound 

 curve for the body, with hooks at the extremities and two appended 

 hooks for legs. The spots symbolizing the scales are here placed 

 within the body, showing another step toward complete annihilation 

 of the natural forms and relations. Three additional examples, show- 

 ing still higher degrees of convention, are presented in Figs. 271, 272, 

 and 27o. The series could be filled up and continued indefinitely, 



Fig. S73. Highly m 

 gator derivative. 



connecting the whole family of devices in which dentals, hooks, spots. 

 and circles occur with the alligator radical or with other reptilian 

 forms confused with the alligator through the carelessness or igno- 

 rance of the decorator. 



In looking over a large series of the vases it will be seen that the 

 tendency of decoration is toward the zonal arrangement, the spaces 



