f 



16S INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



from it proceed enormous plumes of feathers, divi- 

 ding at the top, and falUng symmetrically on each 

 side, until they touch the ornament on which the 

 feet of the statue rest. Each figure was perhaps the 

 portrait of some cacique, warrior, prophet, or priest, 

 distinguished in the history of this unknown people. 



