COPAN. 53 



Above the head of the principal figure is a grotesque mask with the four-lobed mark 

 on its forehead and the usual symbols above (fig. a, p. 51). Around the square ears of 

 this mask are clustered plaits and scrolls and serpent-head ornaments, and at each side 

 is the head and arm of a human figure. 



An ornament similar in character to that already described in Stela A hangs down 

 on either side of the legs of the principal figure, and was probably suspended from the 

 shoulders. The lower part of this ornament is very indistinct, but some of the features 

 of a grotesque serpent's head can be made out with a tasselled disk hanging from its 

 mouth. 



The garters are almost entirely broken away, and the top of the sandals are also 

 much mutilated. 



Plate LXIV. is a photograph from the plaster cast of the inscription on the back and 

 sides of this monument. The two lower glyphs on both the sides have been completely 

 destroyed. The four lower glyphs on the back can still be traced ; but unfortunately 

 this part of the mould was mislaid when the cast was made, and these glyphs were 

 omitted, but they are shown in the drawing of the inscription given on Plate LXV. 



The circular altar which stood in front of this monument is shown in Plate LXIL, b ; 

 the inscription on it is much defaced. 



Stela J. (Plates LXVI. to LXXII.) 



Height 8 feet 10 inches. Greatest breadth 3 feet 3 inches. 



This monument is not mentioned by Stephens. It differs from the others in having 

 no figure carved on it. A small altar without much ornament on it (see Plate LXVL, a) 

 stands to the west of the monument, which must therefore be considered to face in 

 that direction. 



The design of this west front (Plates LXVI. (b) and LXVIII.) is that of a full face 

 without a lower jaw, somewhat similar to but less elaborate than the design on the 

 back of Stela B, and it can be best understood by a reference to figures I and n on 

 Plate XXIV. 



More than half the surface is occupied by a hieroglyphic inscription. The glyphs 

 are numbered consecutively on Plate LXVIII. for facility of reference, although the 

 order in which they should be taken is altogether uncertain. 



On the sides of the monument (Plates LXVII. and LXIX.) is an inscription in 

 double columns. On the north side the top glyph of each column differs in character 

 and arrangement from the rest, and these may possibly be the last two glyphs carried 

 over from the inscription which is carved on the face of the monument. 



