RUINS OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 279 



From those carvings we read, though indistinctly, some of 

 the characteristics of the people. From the absence of all 

 weapons of war, however, we may suppose them peaceable, 

 though grossly idolatrous, and, from being unwarlike, easily 

 subdued. 



On entering the town, after some adventures, Mr. Stevens 

 made his way to an area, which he ascertained to be a square, 

 with steps on all sides, almost as perfect as those of the 

 Colosseum. He ascended the steps, which were ornamented 

 with sculptures, till he reached a broad terrace, one hundred 

 feet in height, overlooking the river. The whole terrace was 

 covered with trees, among which were two gigantic cotton- 

 trees of about twenty feet in circumference, extending their 

 roots fifty to one hundred feet round, and which had, in many 

 places, displaced the stones. Among other ornaments were 

 rows of gigantic heads, which, no doubt, were intended to 

 represent those of apes ; for amongst the fragments were the 

 remains of the body of a colossal ape, strongly resembling in 

 outline and appearance one of the four monstrous animals 

 which once stood in front of the obelisk of Luxor, and which, 

 under the name of Cynocephali, were worshipped at Thebes. 

 This fragment was about six feet high. 



No verbal description can give a correct idea of the 

 elaborate workmanship of the numberless idols. One, described 

 by Mr. Stevens as the most beautiful in Copan, he considers 

 equal to the finest Egyptian sculpture ; and thinks, indeed, it 

 would be impossible, with the best instruments of modern 

 times, to cut stones more perfectly. They ai-e generally from 

 twelve to fourteen feet in height, about four wide, and two or 

 three deep. On the front is, in all cases, a human head, with 

 arms and hands, surrounded, by the most intricate carving. 



