INDIAN TRADITION. 225 
It lies due east and west, and is ten feet six inches in length by five 
feet in breadth. The material is granite, and though the sculpture on the 
northern and upper sides is very faint, yet, on the side facing the south, 
it is quite as distinct as represented in the drawing. The dark shade B 
is a hollow, three inches deep at the sides, and six at the top and bottom. 
In looking at this stone one might imagine that it had been a pillar, thrown 
down accidentally on its side ; but the exact east and west position — 
precisely in the centre of the group of tumuli — would seem to forbid such 
an idea. It is said, that all who sit or recline on this singular fragment 
are immediately seized with a fainting fit ; and, although we had heard 
of this remarkable property of the relic, we forgot to test the truth of it. 
Clavigero tells us, that in the principal temple of Teotihuacan there 
dwelt constantly four priests, who were remarkable for the virtue and 
austerity of their lives. Their dress was of the most ordinary stuffs, and 
their food was confined to a loaf of maize, weighing two ounces, and a 
cup of atolU or gruel of the same grain. 
Every night two of these devotees kept watch — offering incense, sing- 
ing hymns to the gods, and shedding their blood on the stones of the tem- 
pie. Their fastings and vigils continued for four years, except during a 
monthly festival, when they were permitted to indulge in as much food as 
they desired ; but, while preparing for this enjoyment, they were oblige(^ 
to undergo additional mortifications. At the end^of four years tney re- 
tired from the temple, and an equal number supplied their places, to go 
through the same rites and sufferings — and, in honor thereof, to receive 
the same homage and respect both from the people and their sovereign. 
But high as was the recompense of their virtues, the punishment of 
vice, or of a violation of chastity, was proportionably severe. If the crime 
was proved after strict investigation, the culprit was beaten to death— his 
body burned — and his ashes scattered to the winds. 
TRADITION. 
There is a singular tradition in regard to the reappearance of the Sun 
and Moon after the regeneration and multiplication of the human race, 
which I will here recount to you. 
Omecihuatl — the wife of the god Ometeuctli — after having borne many 
children in heaven, happened once to bring forth a knife of flint, which 
her enraged offspring flung to earth — when lo ! from its fragments, sprang 
sixteen hundred heroes! Immediately they petitioned their mother to 
grant them power to create men for their servants. But she disdained to 
aid her children, and sent them to the god of Hell, who, she declared, 
would furnish them with a bone of me of the men who had perished in the 
general destruction of the races. This fragment she ordered them to 
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