113 



some names have been added since the con- 

 quest. In this map, at the place where the 

 monument of Xochicalco is situate, is the figure 

 of two warriors fighting with clubs, one of 

 whom is called Xochicatli, and the other Xica- 

 tetli. We shall not here follow the Mexican 

 antiquaries in their etymological discussions, to 

 learn whether one of these warriors gave his 

 name to the hill of Xochicalco ; or whether the 

 image of two combatants merely denotes a battle 

 between two neighbouring nations : or finally, 

 whether the denomination of the House of 

 Flowers was given to this pyramidic'al monu- 

 ment, because the Toltecks, like the Peruvians, 

 offered to the divinity only fruits, flowers, and 

 incense. It was also near Xochicalco, that thir- 

 ty years since an isolated stone was found, on 

 which was represented in relief an eagle tearing 

 a captive ; an allusion, no doubt, to a victory 

 obtained by the Aztecks over some neighbour- 

 ing nation. 



The drawing of the relief of the first story 

 was copied from an engraving published by 

 Mr. Alzate, at Mexico, in 1791. I had no op- 

 portunity myself of visiting this remarkable mo- 

 nument. When, arriving in New Spain by way 

 of the South Sea, 1 went in the month of April, 

 1803, from Acapulco to Cuernavacca, I had 

 never heard of the hill of Xochicalco ; and I 

 regret not having verified myself the descrip- 



VOL. XIII. i 



