134 



ANIMAL CARVINGS. 



more closely with Short's representation in respect to the details men- 

 tioned than M ith that given in the "Ancient Monuments." Nevertheless, 

 if this cast be accepted as the faithful copy of the original it has been 

 supposed to be, the engraving in Short's volume is subject to criticism. 

 In the cast the outline of the figure, while better defined than Squier 

 and Davis represent it to be, is still very indefinite, the outline not only 

 being broken into, but being in places, especially toward the head, 

 indistinguishable from the surface of the tablet into which it insensibly 



.•iX 



Fig. 13. — Cinciuuuii Tabkt. {l:..^. 



grades. In the view as found in Short there is none of this irregularity 

 and indefiniteness of outline, the figure being perfect and standing out 

 clearly as though just from the sculptor's hand. As perhaps on the 

 whole the nearest approach to the form of a manatee appearing on any 

 object claimed to have originated at the hands of the Mound-Builders, 

 and from the fact that artists have interpreted its outline so differently, 



