the kneeling figure of an anthropomorphic jaguar god. Another represents 
an opossum holding both front paws to its nose and carrying a young one on 
its back. Several others represent elaborately costumed gods, or priests 
representing gods, each with its own definite character and costume. One 
exceptionally fine figure shows a very corpulent priest, with a pendulous 
lower lip and hanging abdomen supported by a belt, who appears to embody 
all the elements of ease ?Bi& soft living. 
Yesterday we purchased from a native, who found it in his rnilpa, 
a very handsome polished stone yoke of Totonac type, carved in the 
conventionalized form of a crouching jaguar. This is a very beautiful specimen 
but I do not know whether or not the Mexican Government will allow us to take 
it from the country. But if not, it will serve as an inducement to allow us to 
retain more of what we have collected ourselves, 
' ■ • ’ ■ ... 
We are rapidly accumulating evidence which may lead to a revolutionary 
idea concerning the- origin and development of the Maya culture and incidentally 
concerning the diffusion of Maya traits among such groups as the Z&potecs, 
, . _ . , , - ' • . 
We seem finally to have entered into the dry season as it has been 
more than two weeks since we have had a real rain and the work has been 
uninterrupted during this period. 
With best wishes, 
Sincerely, 
• . . ' > \ • V' . 
M, W. Stirling 
Dr, Gilbert Grosvenor 
National Geographic Society 
Washington, D. C. 
MWSsMS 
