306 INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



plate opposite. It is the most entire of any, and, 

 in fact, wants but little more than its wooden lin- 

 tels, and some stones which have been picked out 

 of the facade below the cornice, to make it perfect. 

 It is, too, the most chaste and simple in design and 

 ornament, and it was always refreshing to turn from 

 the gorgeous and elaborate masses on the other fa- 

 cades to this curious and pleasing combination. 



The ornament over the centre doorway is the 

 most important, the most complicated and elaborate, 

 and of that marked and peculiar style which char- 

 acterizes the highest efforts of these ancient build- 

 ers. The ornaments over the other doorways are 

 less striking, more simple, and more pleasing. In 

 all of them there is in the centre a masked face 

 with the tongue hanging out, surmounted by an 

 elaborate headdress ; between the horizontal bars is 

 a range of diamond-shaped ornaments, in which the 

 remains of red paint are still distinctly visible, and 

 at each end of these bars is a serpent's head, with 

 the mouth wide open. 



