LIFE-FORM IN AllT. 



347 



the conclusion we have attempted to educe that before naming an object of primitive 

 art, it is necessary to prove its identity by intelhgent comparison, rather than to 

 guess at it, we submit a few specimens of rock carvings, and propose to name their 

 several outlines. 



Fig. 181. 



Inscription at Zipatero, Nicaragua. 



a. Is composed of a pair of circles, one enclosed in the other. We have 

 mentioned on p. 280 our reasons for doubting the exact indentification of this and 

 analogous signs as the one at e. They may be representations of the innumerable 

 roundish natural objects. 



h. However, is much more definite. Referring to the variants, these are observed 

 to be like a pair of brows ; the enclosed objects probably answering to eyes. 



c. Is probably serpentine. 



d. Unknown. 



f. The modified crotalian curve. 

 h. Forehead ornament. 



^. Unknown, probably an ornamentation about an eye. 

 j. A variant of the crotalian curve. 



Fig. 182. 



h. More modern sign of man. 



* Squ'er, Nicar.igua, II, 69. 

 t Bartlett, I.e., II, 216, 



