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MONUMENT OF XOCHICALCO. 



PLATE IX. 



The singular monument, a fragment of which 

 covered with sculpture is represented in this 

 engraving, is considered in the country as a mi- 

 litary monument. To the south east of the city 

 of Cuernuvaca (the ancient Quauhnahuac), on 

 the western declivity of the Cordillera of Ana- 

 huac, in that happy region, designated by the 

 inhabitants under the name of tierra templada 

 (temperate region) because it is the reign of 

 perpetual spring, rises an insolated hill, which, 

 according to the barometrical measurement of 

 Mr. Alzate, is one hundred and seven metres 

 high. This hill is on the west of the road lead- 

 ing from Cuernavaca to the village of Miacatlan. 

 The Indians call it, in the Mexican or Azteck 

 dialect, Xochicalco, or the House of Flowers. 

 We shall see farther on, that the etymology of 

 this name is as uncertain, as the epocha of the 

 construction of the monument, which is attri- 

 buted to the Toltecks. This nation is to the 



