714 Conventionalism in Ancient American Art. [Aug, 
to the three-legged kettles or tripods from the ancient graves 
in Chiriqui, Panama, of which the museum possesses an ex- 
tensive series, two of which are represented in Plate XXIV. Itis 
well known that the primitive clay pot had a round bottom, and, 
to prevent this from overturning, it was propped up on stones. 
It marked a step in advance when the support was transferred to 
Fic. r. Fic. 2. 
the kettle itself by the addition of legs, as represented in the 
right-hand figure of the plate referred to. Here was 4 chanet 
for the artist, and, realizing the adaptability of these legs tat 
reproduction of the form of a fish, he availed himself of i& s 
shown in the figure at the left. On each of the feet of the 1# 
we see the wide and projecting mouth, the eyes, the per 
ral 
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