PALENQUE. 21 



long since disappeared, but it is only on the east side that the destruction of the 

 lintels has been followed by much damage to the stonework — on that side the masonry 

 above each doorway has fallen away in ruins. 



The four exterior walls really serve as a shell to enclose the central rectangular 

 shaft of masonry which contains the stairway giving access to the different floors. 



On the first and second floors there is a passage only 1 foot 6 inches wide between 

 the central shaft and the outer walls of the Tower. 



The intermediate floor consists of a narrow passage 2 feet wide and 4 feet high, 

 extending along the east, north, and west sides in the thickness of the masonry, with a 

 minute cell of the same width and height opening from it on the east and another on 

 the north side. Neither cell has any exterior opening. 



It seems probable that the top floor was the most important part of the building, as 

 it apparently afforded the largest clear space. The openings in the sides of this chamber 

 were so wide that the walls were reduced to four narrow piers at the corners. In the 

 middle of the floor was what appears to have been a platform or table of masonry, 

 which is now hardly visible under the debris from the roof. The steps of the stairway 

 are very steep throughout the building. 



There are projecting string courses running round the tower below and above each 

 doorway, and above each string course the size of the tower is slightly diminished. 



Nearly all the facing of stucco has fallen off the outside of the tower, but it still 

 adheres to the jambs of the doorways and throughout the interior passages. The 

 jambs of the doorways have been coloured dark red, and were ornamented with designs 

 in black paint. 



The four piers on the top floor were bordered with a pretty moulding in stucco on 

 the outer face. 



There are two small square holes pierced through the walls of the central shaft. 



As the entrance to the stairway in the central shaft is on the west side, it seems 

 probable that an exterior stairway which gave access to it must have passed over the 

 roof of the group of small chambers which is clustered against the foundation on 

 that side. 



e2 



