lOS 
MONUMENT OF XOCHICALCO. 
PLATE IX. 
The singular monument, a fragment of which 
covered with sculpture is represented in this 
engraving, is considered in the country as a mi- 
litary monument. To the south east of the city 
of Cuernuvaca (the ancient Quauhnahuac), on 
the western declivity of the Cordillera of Ana- 
huac, in that happy region, designated by the 
inhabitants under the name of tierra templada 
(temperate region) because it is the reign of 
perpetual spring, rises an insulated hill, which, 
according to the barometrical measurement of 
Mr. Alzate, is one hundred and seven metres 
high. This hill is on the west of the road lead- 
ing from Cuernavaca to the village of Miacatlan. 
The Indians call it, in the Mexican or Azteck 
dialect, Xochicalco, or the House of Flowers, 
We shall see farther on, that the etymology of 
this name is as uncertain, as the epocha of the 
construction of the monument, which is attri- 
buted to the Toltecks. This nation is to the 
