298 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



cornice decorated in the usual manner, but which 

 I do not think it worth while to present. 



Leaving this pile of buildings, and passing on 

 northward from the Monjas, at the distance of four 

 hundred feet we reach the edifice represented in the 

 opposite engraving, conspicuous among the ruins of 

 Chichen for its picturesque appearance, and unlike 

 any other we had seen, except one at Mayapan 

 much ruined. It is circular in form, and is known 

 by the name of the Caracol, or winding staircase, 

 on account of its interior arrangements. It stands 

 on the upper of two terraces. The lower one 

 measures in front from north to south two hundred 

 and twenty-three feet, and in depth from east to 

 west one hundred and fifty feet, and is still in good 

 preservation. A grand staircase forty-five feet wide, 

 and containing twenty steps, rises to the platform of 

 this terrace. On each side of this staircase, forming 

 a sort of balustrade, were the entwined bodies of 

 two gigantic serpents, three feet wide, portions of 

 which are still in place ; and among the ruins of the 

 staircase we saw a gigantic head, which had termi- 

 nated at one side the foot of the steps. 



The platform of the second terrace measures 

 eighty feet in front and fifty-five in depth, and is 

 reached by another staircase forty-two feet wide, 

 and having sixteen steps. In the centre of the 

 steps, and against the wall of the terrace, are the re- 

 mains of a pedestal six feet high, on which probably 

 once stood an idol. On the platform, fifteen feet 



