668 MOUNDS IN NORTHERN HONDURAS [ETH. ANN, 19 
one of them holding in its hand an object almost exactly similar to 
that held in the right hand of this figure, and in unearthing the idol 
shown in plate xxx11, figure 2, a similar object was found. Figure 2 
was so indistinct that it was impossible to trace it properly. The 
original was evidently meant to represent a highly ornate structure, 
the upper part of which is shown in the figure to be supported on 
each side by two monsters, a part of one of which is seen in the lower 
left-hand corner of the figure. Figure 3 is holding in the left hand, 
apparently as an offering, a dwarf or a baby. 
On comparing this figure with that sculptured on the left slab of 
the Temple of the Cross at Palenque’ it will be seen that a remark- 
able resemblance exists between them. The facial profiles are almost 
identical, the headdresses are very similar (except that in the Palenque 
figure the plumes of feathers are absent), and there is strong simi- 
larity in each case between the gift or offering and the mode of 
presenting it. The Palenque figure appears to be standing upon the 
head of some monstrous animal, whereas figure 3 is sitting within 
the widely open jaws of an animal, which, for want of a better term, 
has hitherto been called a dragon, whose jaws, curved teeth, and eye, 
with its conventional eye ornament, are clearly shown. 
Figures 4 and 5 were much injured by dampness. They will be 
referred to in dealing with the wall as a whole. The profile of figure 
6 differs somewhat from that of all the others. The nose is small, 
straight, and less Semitic in character, while the forehead is more nearly 
upright. Figure 7 is apparently undergoing some sort of torture or 
punishment, as he is trussed up in a very constrained position on a low 
platform. His right elbow appears to have been either broken or dis- 
located. Figure 8 probably represents Quetzalcoatl, or Cuculcan of 
the Maya, the god of the air, whose name in both languages signifies 
‘* feathered serpent,” as he holds in his right hand a serpent with a plume 
on its head; moreover, two serpents with feather markings are coiled 
around his body, and the profile is that which is usually ascribed to 
this god. ‘The elaborately ornamented feather-work headdresses are 
prominent in all the figures, as are also the large earrings with long 
pendants hanging from their centers. The earrings of figures 1, 6, 
and 8 differ from the others in being square instead of round. In 
figures 6, 7, and 8 the heads of animals are to be seen in the head- 
dresses, immediately above the faces. It is difficult to say to what 
animal the head in front of the headdress of figure 6 belongs. That 
at the back of the headdress is similar to those already described as 
dragons’ heads. A large eagle head is placed in front of the Maxtli 
of figure 6. The head in front of the headdress of figure 7, the lower 
jaw of which is lacking, is probably that of a peccary. 
1Charnay, Ancient Cities of the New World, p. 254. 
