EXTENT OF THE RUINS. 



355 



Fronting the door, and against the back wall of the 

 inner corridor, was a large stucco ornament represent- 

 ing a figure sitting on a couch ; but a great part has 

 fallen or been taken off and carried away. The body 

 of the couch, with tiger's feet, is all that now remains. 

 The outline of two tigers' heads and of the sitting per- 

 sonage is seen on the wall. The loss or destruction of 

 this ornament is more to be regretted, as from what re- 

 mains it appears to have been superior in execution to 

 any other stucco relief in Palenque. The body of the 

 couch is entire, and the leg and foot hanging down the 

 side are elegant specimens of art and models for study. 

 The plate opposite represents this relief, and also a 

 plan, section, and general view of the building. 



I have now given, without speculation or comment, 

 a full description of the ruins of Palenque. I repeat 

 what I stated in the beginning, there may be more 

 buildings, but, after a close examination of the vague 

 reports current in the village, we are satisfied that no 

 more have ever been discovered ; and from repeated in- 

 quries of Indians who had traversed the forest in every 

 direction in the dry season, we are induced to believe 

 that no more exist. The whole extent of ground cov- 

 ered by those as yet known, as appears by the plan, is 

 not larger than our Park or Battery. In stating this 

 fact I am very far from wishing to detract from the im- 

 portance or interest of the subject. I give our opinion, 

 with the grounds of it, and the reader will judge for 

 himself how far these are entitled to consideration. 

 It is proper to add, however, that, considering the space 

 now occupied by the ruins as the site of palaces, tem- 

 ples, and public buildings, and supposing the houses of 

 the inhabitants to have been, like those of the Egyptians 

 and the present race of Indians, of frail and perishable 



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