74 MOETARS AND PESTLES. 



that the surface is quite rough, the pecked surface being in no degree worn 

 away, or intentionally smoothed. 



The following are its dimensions: Greatest diameter, 21.6 inches; height, 

 exteriorly, 13.1 inches; depth of vessel inside, 10.9 inches; breadth of rim, 

 varying from 1.7 to 2 inches. 



A specimen of these larger mortars, from La Patera, has upon its rim 

 four pieces of asphaltum for attaching shell ornaments. It is of the usual 

 ' hard sandstone, pecked into shape, and now quite smooth 



The measurements are: Greatest diameter, 16.5 inches; height, ex- 

 teriorly, 12.6 inches; depth of vessel inside, 9.5 inches; breadth of rim, 

 varying from 1 to 1.5 inches. 



Another example, of the same general outline, and also made of medium 

 hard sandstone, has the surface pecked quite smooth. The bottom of the 

 vessel is not flattened. 



There is a portion of the rim wanting, but it is seen by the remains of 

 the asphaltum that it had been put back and mended by the aid of that 

 material. The rim of this specimen has nine grooves for holding the 

 asphaltum by which ornaments were attached, and traces of it still remain 

 in two of the depressions. 



The measurements of this mortar are as follows : Greatest diameter, 

 15.5 inches; height, exteriorly, 10.9 inches; depth of vessel inside, 8.7 

 inches; breadth of rim, 1.2 inches. 



A want of the usual symmetry is shown in a large mortar of soft sand- 

 stone, which, however, is quite smooth upon its surfaces. The rim is 

 undulating and slopes outwards. 



This specimen, which is from La Patera, measures in greatest diameter 

 14 to 15 inches; height, exteriorly, 8.1 inches; depth of vessel inside, 6 

 inches ; breadth of rim varying from 1 inch to 1.3 inches. 



An interesting specimen of these larger mortars is one made of moder- 

 ately dense sandstone, having the surface pecked, but not smooth. The 

 bottom is irregularly flattened. On the rim, which is slightly undulating, 

 and slopes outwards, are four small bunches of asphaltum, but without the 

 usual grooves for its reception. This material, however, was doubtlessly so 

 placed for the one purpose of holding ornamental objects on the rim. 



