W. P. Biake on the Chalchihuitl of the Mexicans. 231 
stated that the art of cutting and polishing chalchihuit] was 
taught them by the god Quetzalcobuatl. Sahagun considered 
the stone to be a jasper of a very green color, ora common 
smaragdus,* He remarks that they are green and opaque, and. 
are much worn by the chiefs strung on a thread around their 
wrists, being regarded as a badge of distinction. 
Tn the year 1539 Friar Marco de Nica made a journey among 
the Indians of New Mexico, and in his narrative frequently 
mentions green and bluish stones which were worn as ornaments 
by them, pendant from the ears and nose. He also mentions 
™M none so much 
walls of the porches of their houses and their apparel and ves- 
sels, and they use them instead of money through all the coun- 
tty.t Coronado, who visited Cevola in 1540, denies De Niga’s 
Statement respecting the turqnoises upon the porches of the 
lt ed a vast amount of quarrying, fully equal to that at the 
ality, 
Names similar to chalchihuitl, or derived from it, were com- 
mon among the ancient Mexicans and the word is doubtless of 
me Origin. It is differently written by the early historians. 
“rguemadd gives Chalchihuitl as the Indian name but fre- 
atently writes it chalchihuite, Lockhart, the translator of the mar 
ave by Bernal Diaz, writes chalchihuitls, but says that the 
€S were called chalchuites by Diaz. It is singular that De 
og -_ Coronado do not mention this name; it would appear 
Was notin use i i . 
Of the fact that the stones were called cacona by one of the tribes 
of Indians renders this more probable. As the stone was recog: 
i. 
Historia de la Conquista de Mexico. 
Ist. de Nueva Espafi ‘ 7:3 : : : 
Fag Extracts from the Scena : of Friar Marco de Niga, published in the < 
Pp 106-105 Lieut. A. W. Whipple, Pacific R. R. Explorations and Surveys, vol. iii, 
at 
Tae: 
