199 



with the nose of the frog, on each side of the median line. The thinness of the cast- 

 ing and the delicacy of form and finish lead one to conclude that base alloys were 

 highly prized by the ancient Chiriquians ; this belief is strengthened by the fact 

 that objects of this class average quite as small as those of 

 gold, every part suggesting economy in the use of the alloy. 

 The use of the conventionalized alligator or alligator 

 head as a decorative and perhaps symbolic motive on 

 metal figurines does not seem to have been detected by 

 previous writers. Bollaert, 1 for example, reproduces a gold 

 figurine (see fig. 365) that has a human body and an 

 alligator head. He not only did not recognize the head 

 as being that of an alligator, but also did not see the 

 three additional diagrammatic alligator heads and bodies 

 that are woven into the setting of the central figure. A sub- 

 sequent writer copied this illustration, calling it simply a 

 " grotesque human figure in gold, from Bollaert." He also 

 reproduced two other specimens 2 in which the alligator- 

 head motive is used, but apparently did not recognize 

 it. In one instance (fig. 330) this motive is attached to the knees of a " quad- 

 ruped with grotesque face ; " and in the other (fig. 331), it is repeated on each 

 side of the head of what Holmes thinks may be a crayfish " with complicated yet 



g. 330. — Figurine in base 

 metal, to each knee of which 

 is attached a conventionalized 

 alligator head. (AfterHolmes.) 



Fig. 331. — Animal figure in base metal plated with gold, from the mouth of which 

 project two conventionalized alligators. (After Holmes.) 



graceful antenna-like appendages, made of wire neatly coiled and welded together 

 by pressure or hammering." Liiders differs from Holmes as to the meaning of 



1 William Bollaert. Antiquarian, ethnol. and other researches in New Granada, 32, fig. 3, 1860. 



2 Ancient art of the province of Chiriqui, Sixth ann. rept. Bur. ethnol., figs. 35, 40, 

 1884-'85. 



