52 COP AN. 



will probably prove of great assistance in identifying that particular dragon-like figure 

 to which this head or mask pertains. 



It has already been figured before, on Plate IX. (b and c) as well as on Plates XII., 

 XIII. (b), and XV., where the symbols can be traced over the head of the dragon on 

 the east side of the sculptured doorway, although the design itself was not appreciated 

 wben the drawings on Plates IX. and XII. were made. 



In front of Stela H is an altar, shown on Plate LIV. (b). It is so much defaced that 

 the design is almost entirely lost, but traces of four large faces carved on the sides of 

 the altar can still be made out; and running round the upper part are two ornamental 

 bands, similar in design to some of the breastplates. This latter ornament will be 

 better seen when the altar at U is figured. 



Stela I. (Plates LXIL, b, to LXV.) 



[Compare Stephens's ' Central America,' vol. i. p. 151.] 



Height 9 feet. Greatest breadth 2 feet 9 inches. 



This monument stood in a niche cut out of the stone-faced slope, and at the time of 

 Stephens's visit was still standing, although almost entirely covered over with earth 

 and fallen masonry. I found it again covered with earth, but fallen and broken into 

 one large and several smaller pieces. These pieces were moulded separately, and the 

 casts made from them have been joined together. (See photographs on Plates LXIII. 

 and LXIV.) 



The principal figure stands in the usual conventional attitude. The face is com- 

 pletely covered with a grotesque mask, and natural eyes and mouth do not show 

 through the mask as on Stela D. The ears are of the same shape as one part of the 

 ornament figured on page 51, and snake's head ornaments are pendent from them. 

 Apparently attached to the bottom of this mask is another grotesque mask without a 

 lower jaw, and below this again is a small tasselled head. 



The breastplate is reduced to a line of fringed links representing a serpent's body ; 

 and the serpents' heads at each end are of the usual form, and have grotesque heads 

 issuing from their mouths. 



The three faces on the girdle are gi'otesques, and there is a breadth of tiger's skin 

 between the girdle and the usual fringe of tassels. 



The upper part only of the apron is preserved, and is ornamented with a full-faced 

 grotesque head. (See also Plate XXIV., Jc.) 



