PYRAMID OF XOCHICALCO. 185 
two enormous pillars, or rather two masses, cleft from the rock of which 
the hill is composed, affording three entrances, between them, to a saloon 
near ninety feet in extent. Above them was a cupola of regular shape, 
supported by cut stones disposed in circles, in the middle of which was 
an aperture reaching perhaps to the summit of the pyramid. The writer 
describes the stones that compose the cupola as " diminishing gradually 
in size as they rise to the top, and forming a beautiful mosaic." It is 
much to be regretted that these explorers made no drawing of the spot, 
as it would be most interesting to see the outline of what we are thus led 
to believe is a regular arch ; and it is equally to be regretted, that the 
superstitions of the Indians and the fear of wild beasts, scorpions and 
serpents, that are said to fill these sombre crypts, prevent a more ex- 
tended examination of the interior of the hill. I was alone deterred by 
the haste of my companions, from delaying, at least another day, and 
devoting it to the exploration of these vaults. 
There is a tradition among the Indians, related by Alzate, that when 
the pyramid still numbered its five stories, there was on, or near, the hill 
of Xochicalco, an enormous stone or group, representing a man whose 
entrails an eagle was tearing ; but of this there are now no vestiges. 
Nebel states, that there was undoubtedly a communication from the inte- 
rior of the temple to the vaults below ; and, founding his belief on Indian 
tradition and on a discovery he made at the top of the first terrace, he 
alleges, that an aperture extended from the summit of the pyramid to the 
crypt we have described, and immediately beneath it was placed an 
altar, on which the sun's rays fell when that luminary became vertical. 
What his authorities were it is difficult to determine ; but I imagine the 
tale to be quite as fanciful as many other portions .of his beautiful work. 
This gentleman has given a drawing of what he terms the " Restora- 
tion of the Pyramid of Xochicalco,'' as it is supposed to have appeared 
when its terraces were all complete ; and although I do not believe he 
has sufficient authority for the figures with which he adorned the upper 
stories of the edifice, I have adopted his ideas generally in the following 
drawing, with the exception of adding a frieze and cornice to each of the 
stories, as will be seen, also, hereafter, in the outlines of the "Pyramid 
of Papantla." 
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