FEWKES] OBJECTS FROM CEMPOALAN AND XICO 261 



likeness is e.specially striking in figures of gods and goddesses con- 

 nected with fecundity or germination. Some of the former are 

 represented as prone on their breasts. A celebrated carved stone from 

 Tuxpan presented by Governor Dehesa to the National Museum of 

 Mexico has head and feet not unlike some of the figures on Mexican 

 yokes. The tongue is represented as protruding as in other pictures 

 and figures of sun gods." 



PADDI.E-SHAPED STONES 



Several 3^ ears ago there was found in a cache near the mounds at Tcxolo 

 a number of flat, paddle-shaped stones (plate cxvii), made of lava rock, 

 ornamented on the two surfaces with figures and geometrical designs. 

 These valuable stones, now in the collection* of Governor Dehesa, at 

 Jalapa, give a very high idea of the art of their makers. For some 

 time this collection was unique, l)ut within a few months, as the writer 

 is informed l)y Mr Boone, director of the Jalapa Electric Light Com- 

 pany, another similar cache has been found in the same locality. It 

 may reasonably be inferred that these objects are typical of the cultures 

 of those who built the Texolo mounds and possibly characteristic of 

 the ancient people of the state of Vera Cruz, but it is not evident that 

 these people were necessarily of Totonac stock, although thus far they 

 have been so considered. These objects are generally enlarged at 

 one end, which is angular, with transverse groove that is always present 

 and may have been fitted to an angular base. Many forms of stone 

 birds with well-made heads and bodies, with wings extended, are found 

 in the collection of (lovernor Dehesa, and there are likewise images 

 like human heads with helmets. All of these are finely carved and the 

 majority have characteristic notches at their Vjases, by which they may 

 be supposed to have been supported on a bar or basal pedestal. The 

 base is generally angular, the object broadening and becoming thinner 

 at the opposite end. One face is generally slightly convex, the other 

 flat or concave. In a few instances the margins are perforated with 

 rows of holes. 



The function of these paddle-shaped stones is problematical, but the 

 indications are strong that when in use they were placed in a vertical 

 position so that both faces were visible. It would appear also from 

 their numbers that many were used at the same time; possibly they 

 may have formed parts of altars. It is of course also possible that 

 they were simply ornamental and furnished architectural features or 

 permanent attachments to buildings. 



"This tigure, which has claws of the same kind as those on some of the stone yokes, and whose 

 crouehing attitude suggests yokes of the first group, is identified hy Doctor Seler as a turtle god. It 

 may be the summer solstice sun symbolized by a turtle. 



6 These objects were sold to Governor Dehesa by Don Jos6 Piroz, of Coatepec, who bou^lit them 

 from a farmer living at Xico or in that neighborhood. 



