78 ACAPULCO. 



This shows that the Indians of that epoch were experts 

 in the military art, as nothing better for defensive purposes 

 could be done, even at the present time. 



All the platform was surrounded with a thick wall, tw^o 

 yards high, from which they could successfully defend its 

 entrance. 



On the north side, at the foot of the first terrace, is the 

 entrance of a cave or subterraneous place, giving access to 

 several passages, the principal of which ends in a large 

 room, fourteen yards long and twelve wide. Remains of the 

 stone pillars could still be seen. The floor was covered with 

 lime painted red, the same as the walls. 



In one corner exists an opening of conical form, by 

 which air and light entered in the room. 



It is said that communication existed between this room 

 and the temple above. 



If the Indian who acted as alcade (mayor) in 1877 is to 

 be trusted, another subterraneous passage considerably 

 greater, existed between the hill and the suburbs, having 

 an exit several miles away. I should not be at all surprised 

 at this, as the same exists in other ancient Mexican fortresses 

 which I have visited. 



These subterraneous places were made for the purpose 

 of supplying the fortress with victuals and water, and also as 

 a way of escape in case of emergency. 



In 1769 a large sculptured stone, representing an Indian 

 devoured by an eagle, could be seen west of the hill, on the 

 road to Miacatlan. It was a fine work of art. In 1877, 

 when Alzate visited the ruins, he found only some fragments 

 of it on which he perceived traces of the eagle. 



From the hill, four roads went north, south, east and west. 

 One of them leads to the town of Xochicalco, which must 

 have been a place of importance at one time or another. The 

 actual village of Xochicalco stands south of the ruin at a 

 short distance. 



I am of opinion that this temple was built in honour 

 of Quetzalcoatlj who was considered to be a god by the 

 Indians. 



The word Quetzalcoatl signifies green feathered snake,, 

 from quetzal, green feathers and coatl snake. 



The warrior who is constantly sculptured on the walls of 

 the temple has his helmet adorned with plumes of long green 

 feathers, in the centre of which is the head of a snake. It is 

 a representation of the green feathered snake, or Quetzalcoatl . 



