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THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



Photo from Mrs Harriet Chalmers Adams 

 HATS AND BASKKTS P'OR SALK : MEXICO 



grandiose as well as historical. Owls and 

 strang-e nig-ht-birds fly in and out and 

 build their homes behind columns of 

 lava, and these in rude, strange eloquence 

 seemed to express their disapproval of 

 our momentary invasion. 



Soon we stood at the foot of the high- 

 est pyramid, ''El Sol," which has so 

 recently been bereft of the mantle of 

 grass, underbrush, and trees that for cen- 

 turies had covered it. Looking upward, 

 we realized the infinite labor that has 

 shown to the world of today the arduous 



task of the ancient Toltecs, and the 

 pyramid, like a sentinel of time, stands 

 as an imposing monument. Sphinx- 

 like in its impenetrable mystery and 

 silence, hiding within its depths those 

 secrets yet to be discovered. 



The projecting stones, seen here 

 and there over the pyramid, mark 

 the upward progress of those inde- 

 fatigable workers until they gained 

 the summit of their ambition. The 

 pyramid was divided into stories by 

 placing a series of truncated pyra- 

 mids one above the other. 



Two hundred and sixty-eight steps 

 must be climbed to reach the summit. 

 The pyramid is 216 feet in height, 

 and has a base about 761 feet square. 

 The summit is 59 by 105 feet square. 

 Now and again on our way upward 

 we found a few minutes' rest desir- 

 able, while others of our party re- 

 mained half way until our return. 

 Some distance up there is a stairway 

 that calls much attention and evi- 

 dently leads to the very bowels of 

 the pyramid. What secrets may it 

 divulge as the excavation is followed 

 deeper and deeper? Perhaps some 

 hidden sarcophagus of Toltec priests 

 and their people, or a tomb of ancient 

 Toltec kings; but all is conjecture 

 and therein lies the mystery and 

 charm of the pyramids. President 

 Diaz expressed great interest in this 

 stairway on' his visit to the ruins 

 some time ago. 



Many strange idols have been dug 

 up — Dioses of grotesque form and many 

 others. Many beautiful pieces of jade 

 and obsidian, arrow-heads, little heads of 

 burnt clay, earthen jars of antique form, 

 and others similar to those in use at the 

 present time. One little piece of cloth 

 that was found is carefully guarded in 

 the museum. What was its use? Many 

 skulls, as well as some skeletons, have 

 also been unearthed. 



The general theme of the stone tracery 

 yet discovered is the emblem of the sun, 

 its rays being especially noticeable in all 

 carvings and designs — significant of 

 their religion, "the astral worship." 



