280 



CERTAIN ANTIQXTITIES OF EASTERN MEXICO [eth. ANN. 25 



likewise to the resemblance of the ear ornaments of Huaxtee idols to 

 a turtle-like relief figure from (Tepeziutla) near Tuxpan, to which ref- 

 erence has already been made. In the figure of this turtle-shaped 

 idol, by Chavero," the ears have hook-shaped pendants resembling 

 the "epeolli" of the god Quetzalcoatl. It would appear that the 

 resemblances between the Altamira idol and those mentioned above 

 are close enough to warrant identifying them as the same god; if the 

 latter represent Quetzalcoatl the former is the same god. 



Tampico Stone Idols 



^^'hile in Tampico the author saw 

 for the first time a stone idol (figure 

 69) of a strange type, difterent from 

 any known to him, although suggest- 

 ing others of aberrant form. On 

 his return to A\'ashington specimens 

 of the same type were found in the 

 Smithsonian collection. Although 

 these stone images are undoubtedly 

 Huaxtec, so far as the literature of 

 the Panuco ruins is known the type 

 is undescribed. In general form 

 this image resembles a man walking 

 with a cane, or an animal like a 

 bear standing on its hind legs, grasp- 

 ing a stafl' with the anterior extrem- 

 ities. The attitude is a stooping 

 one, and the whole figure, which is 

 large, is made of one stone. The 

 base is a pedestal continued below 

 the feet, as if for attachment to or 

 insertion in earth or masonry, to impart a firm support. As has been 

 shown in descriptions of other stone idols, this basal pediment occurs 

 in other Huaxtec specimens. Cut in low relief on the back is an eleva- 

 tion indicating a garment; a ferrule about the waist reijresents a belt. 



HrAXTEC Pottery 



The ancient people living on the banks of the Panuco and Tamesi 

 rivers were good potters, and their ceramic work is excellent. Frag- 

 ments of l)owls, vases, or jars occur in almost all the mounds indicating 

 the ancient habitations, and may be seen in several places where sections 



a Mexico A Trav(5s de los Siglos. 



