1034 Lconoclasm by the Conquerors of Mexico. [November, 
that a number of the features resembled the ornaments and trap- 
pings characteristic of the head-dresses commonly seen in Aztec 
sculpture. This led to the search for other features, and finally 
to the discovery of a partially obliterated eye toward the smaller 
end of the fragment. This convinced me that the object was 
part of the head of a huge idol. My sketch is reproduced in 
Fig. 2, but gives a very imperfect idea of the work, which in pre- 
cision of execution and delicacy of finish equals anything of its 
class yet brought to my notice. It is a remarkable fact that the 
surface of the carving has been finished with a coat of red paint 
or enamel, which to this day exhibits a saat polish, and is so 
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Fic. 3.—Probable position of the idol at the back of the niche. 
firmly attached to the rock surface as to be removed with the 
greatest difficulty. The other portions of the figure have been 
broken up and carried away, or have been rolled down the side 
of the cerro. At first I was at a loss to imagine the original 
character and position of the figure to which the head belonged, 
but after a careful study of the recess I came to the conclusion 
that it had originally occupied the back wall of the recess, and 
that it had been carved from the rock in place. The proof of this 
: was entirely satisfactory. 
sl observed first that the central part of the rear wall was not 
othly ee. and that the rock surface showed compara 
