ABORIGINAL AMERICANS—HOLMES. 431 
Asiatic elements in comparatively recent centuries. The accom- 
panying illustrations will sufficiently present the supposed evidence 
oi foreign intrusion. Plate 1, figure 1, and plate 11, figure 1, illus- 
trate physiognomies of normal Indian type. These are to be com- 
pared with plate 12, figure 1, which reproduces an ancient earthen- 
ware face of a type found in the State of Vera Cruz and believed 
to be of Aztec or Toltec origin. They were probably employed in 
the embellishment of earthen vessels or as architectural details. The 
well-modeled, smiling faces are broad and flat, with weak chins, 
and high cheek bones and distinctly narrow tilted eyes. Still more 
unusual are the faces shown in plate 12, figure 2, and plate 13, figure 
1, sculptured heads of a type quite common as architectural embel- 
lishments in the ancient temples of Guatemala. In general contour 
the face contrasts strongly with that of the average Indian, the 
features lacking all the boldness and virility of the tribes of to-day. 
At the same time there is in the smooth, roundish, placid face, the 
small mouth, and in the tilted eyes a decided suggestion of the 
features of the Orient, and especially of the placid countenance so 
characteristic of sculptured images of Buddha (pl. 18, fig. 2). The 
suggestion of Asiatic influence is strengthened by a study of other 
ancient sculptural and architectural remains found in great plenty 
in Mexico and the Central American States. An example is shown 
in plate 14. 
Numerous authors have found in these and other features of Maya 
sculpture convincing proof of the early introduction of Asiatic influ- 
ence in Mexico and Central America, while other writers, with equal 
confidence, express the view that the features in question are without 
particular significance, being nothing more than normal variants of 
native types. The Maya peoples were exceedingly versatile and in 
their treatment of the human physiognomy were much given to the 
grotesque and humorous. This tendency was emphasized by the prac- 
tice of introducing images of grotesque animistic deities into every 
phase of their sculptural and plastic art. The calm, well-modeled 
Buddhalike faces appear out of keeping with their vigorously mod- 
eled neighbors, and, if not portraits of individuals, they would seem 
at least to represent a well-marked and familiar facial type, whether 
native or otherwise. Mention may be made of other suggestive fea- 
tures of Maya culture which tend to support the theory of foreign 
influence. To one at all conversant with the architecture of the East 
Indies these Central American ruins have a familiar look not readily 
explained save on the theory of relationship in origin. This impres- 
sion is not readily overcome, and it is further observed that the sug- 
gestion does not end with general effects, for the architectural de- 
tails and especially the sculptural embellishments and the manner 
