214 MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA 
in use elsewhere in Mexico and Central America. There 
were two kinds of drums. One was a horizontal hol- 
lowed-out log with an H-shaped cutting made longi- 
tudinally on its upper surface so as to form two vibrat- 
ing strips which were struck with wooden drumsticks 
having tips of rubber. The second sort of drum was 
an upright log also hollowed out and covered with a 
drumhead of deerskin. Conches were used for trum- 
pets. Resonator whistles with or without finger holes 
were made of clay in fanciful shapes. Flageolets were 
constructed of clay, bone, or wood and flutes were made 
of reed. Resounding metal disks and tortoise shells 
were beaten in time. Many sorts of gourd and earth- 
enware rattles were employed as well as notched bones 
which were rasped with a scraping stick. Copper bells 
of the sleigh bell type were exceedingly common. The 
marimba, however, that is such a favorite musical in- 
strument today in Central America is doubtless of 
African origin and fairly recent introduction. No 
stringed instruments were known to the ancient Mexi- 
cans nor does the pan-pipe appear to have been used in 
this area although common in South America. 
Minor Aztecan Arts. Some of the great sculptures 
of Tenochtitlan have already been described and refer- 
ences have been made to the native books painted in 
brilliant colors on paper and deerskin. Objects of minor 
art comprise pottery vessels, ornaments of gold, silver, 
copper, jade, and other precious materials, textiles, 
pieces of feather work, etc. 
The best known ceramic products are made of orange 
colored clay and carry designs in black that sometimes 
are realistic, but more often not. The tripod dishes 
with the bottoms roughed by cross scoring were used 
to grind chili. Heavy bowls with loop handles on the 
