238 ISLAND CULTURE AREA OF AMERICA [ETH.AXN.3i 



The flat open-mouthed bowl (pi. 118, J.) is destitute of lugs or 

 relief figures and has the base convex, the outer surface being slightly 

 inclined inward. This upper region is decorated with incised pat- 

 terns, in which circles, parallel lines, crescents, and triangles may be 

 easily recognized. Some of these lines are enlarged at their extremi- 

 ties into pits, and the decoration is also helped out by similar pits, 

 free from the end of the incised lines. The figures engraved on the 

 upper zone of the bowl recall those on the decorated panels of certain 

 stone collars from Porto IJico and possibly are the same symbols. 



One of the best objects made of burnt clay from Santo Domingo 

 in the Heye collection is shown in plate 118, B. This specimen is in 

 fact one of the most beautiful examples of Antillean pottery yet col- 

 lected. Its general form is oval, the opening being about half the 

 longer axis, the rim or lip of the orifice without decoration. Al- 

 though the surface is worn, it shows evidence of decoration with in- 

 cised lines whicli girt tiie vessel or are arranged in such a way as to 

 indicate organs of the animal intended by the effigy. The head stands 

 out in bold relief from the body of the vessel, from which it is sepa- 

 rated by a well-developed neck. This head recalls in some features 

 those of certain three-pointed idols already elsewhere figured. The 

 representation of the fore limbs consists of four short parallel in- 

 cised lines situated on each side not far from the junction of the 

 neck and bowl. There is a triangular figure on each side, but not 

 elevated above the surface of the jars. A similar triangular figure 

 occupies a like relationship to each of the posterior appendages. The 

 hind legs are represented by two club-shaped appendages which arise 

 on each side near the pole of the bowl, opposite the head. These 

 posterior limbs are represented in such a manner that the soles of 

 their feet face outward toward the observer — a common feature in 

 Antillean art. The sole of the foot is triangular in shape and has 

 a slightly curved border and indications of four toes. 



The leg itself is short and stumpy, without joints. Its general 

 form and situation as regards the remainder of the effigy recalls the 

 flippers of a turtle or leg of a lizard — an identification not opposed 

 by the general shape of the head and the existence of nostrils, so 

 common in clay representations of reptilian heads. The tail is elon- 

 gated, round, and enlarged at the extremity into a button, which is 

 further marked with parallel incisions above. Around the enlarged 

 base of its attachment there are two ferrules or raised sides separated 

 by circular grooves, from the middle of which the tail seems to 

 emerge. The existence of this tail favors a reptilian or turtle identi- 

 fication of the vase. It is a feature unknown in effigy forms of bowls 

 and other pottery objects. 



The bowl shown in plate 118. (\ belongs to tlie Museum fiir Volker- 

 kunde in Berlin, to which it was brought from Santo Domingo. It 



