66 



A STUDY OF CHIRIQUIAN ANTIQUITIES. 



All these changes would be in line with Holmes's choice of the name alligator 

 for one of the important groups of painted ware. The names of life forms would 

 then be given to four groups, instead of to one only. 



By incorporating the proposed changes into the classification of Holmes, 1 the 

 result is as follows : 



a) Unpainted ware : 



1. Armadillo group (instead of "terra cotta" or "biscuit'' group). 



2. Salmon-colored group. 



3. Serpent group (instead of "black incised" group). 



4. Handled group. 



b) Painted ware : 



1. Handled group. 



2. Fish group (instead of " tripod " group). 



3. Chocolate incised group. 



4. Scarified group. 



5. Maroon group. 



6. Red line group. 



7. White line group. 



8. Lost color group. 



9. Alligator group. 

 10. Polychrome group. 



The armadillo still enters largely into the life of certain tribes. According to 

 Dr. A. Hrdlicka, 2 it is a cherished article of food among the Indians of western 



Mexico, and medicinal pro- 

 perties are ascribed to certain 

 parts. The Cora Indians, for 

 instance, save the carapace 

 and administer decoctions of 

 it as a cure for stomach dis- 

 orders. In this connection 

 it is of interest to recall that 

 the nine-banded armadillo ap- 

 pears in ancient Mayan picture 

 writing. 



As has been stated, the de- 

 corative features of the arma- 

 dillo group are limited to 

 figures in the round and to 

 patterns either incised or 

 in relief. They are also 

 generally limited in location 



Fig. 98. — Vase with shoulder ornaments representing the frog, probably to the shoulders, Collars, 

 the Surinam Toad (Pi P a americana). Armadillo ware. V* ^^ feet and handles of 



1 Op. tit, 67, 80 and 84. 



2 Personal letter, dated Oct. 4, 1906. 



