APPENDIX. 
small pyramids which surround the Cheops and Mycerinus at 
Gh ze. The teocaili of Choiuia, if it is aliovvabie to compare it 
with these great Egyptian monuments, appears to have been 
constructed on an analogous plan. We still discover on the 
western side, opposite the cerros of Tecuxete and Zapoteca, two 
completely prismatical masses. One of these masses now bears 
the name of Alcosac, or Istenenetl, and the other that of the 
Gerro de la Cruz The elevation of the latter, which is con¬ 
structed en fiise', is only 15 metres.* 
In the northern part of the intendancy of Vera Cruz, west 
from the mouth of the Rio Tecolutia, at two leagues distance 
from the great Indian village of Papantia, we met with a pyra¬ 
midal edifice of great antiquity. The pyramid of Papantia re¬ 
mained unknown to the first conquerors. It is situated in the 
midst of a thick forest, called Tajin in the Totonac language.-.- 
The Indians concealed this monument, the object of an ancient 
veneration, for centuries from the Spaniards ; and it was only 
discovered accidentally by spme hunters about thirty years ago. 
This pyramid of Papantia was visited by M. Dupe,t an observer 
of great modesty and learning, who has long employed himself 
ip cqrious researches regarding the idols and architecture of 
the Mexicans. He examined carefully the cut of the stones of 
which it is constructed; and he made a drawing pf the hierogly¬ 
phics with which these enormous stones are covered. It is to 
be wished that he would publish the description of this interest¬ 
ing monument. The figuref published in 1788, in the Gazette 
pf Mexico is extremely imperfect. 
The pyramid of Papantia is not constructed of bricks or clay 
mixed with whin stones, and faced with a wall of amygdaloid^ 
like the pyramids of Choiuia and Teotihuacan: the only mate- 
* 49 feet. Trans. 
f Captain in the service of the king of Spain. He possesses the bust 
in bassaltes of a Mexican priestess, which I c- mpioyed MM as sard to en¬ 
grave, and which bears great resemblance to the Calanthica pf the heads 
of Isis. 
* See also Monument z di Architettura Messicana di Fietro Marquez, 
•Eoma, 1804, tab. L 
