TEMPLES AND IDOLS OF THE INDIANS. 199 



fact that in the ruined cities of Chichen and Tu- 

 loom, which will be presented to the reader hereaf- 

 ter, there is an edifice bearing to this day the name 

 of El Castillo, given to it by the Spaniards, doubt- 

 less, from the same resemblance to a castle which 

 induced General Ursua to apply that name to the 

 adoratorio in Peten. On the last step at the en- 

 trance was an idol in a squatting position, sitting 

 close to the ground, in human form, but with a very 

 unprepossessing countenance. 



Another great adoratorio is described, of the same 

 form and similar construction, and the rest are men- 

 tioned only with reference to the number and char- 

 acter of the idols they contained ; but, probably, if 

 there had been any material difference in form or 

 construction, it would have been mentioned, and 

 there is reason to believe that they were ill alike. 

 These descriptions are brief and general, but, in my 

 opinion, they are sufficient to identify the adorato- 

 rios and temples on this island as being of the same 

 general character with all the ruined buildings scat- 

 tered over this country ; and this presumption has 

 great additional interest from another important con- 

 sideration, for we have clear and authentic historical 

 accounts, perhaps more rehable than any others rela- 

 ting to the aborigines of this country, of the very peo- 

 ple by whom and the very time within which these 

 kues, adoratorios, and temples were erected. 



According to both Cogolludo and Villagutierres, 

 who drew their conclusions from occurrences of 



