were cast down, but
others stood erect, though all apparently had been more or less
purposely mutilated. Some of the figures represent males, but others
are undoubtedly those of females. They are cut in black basalt of
intense hardness. The features of the face of one, which has been
conveyed to the Museum at Washington, are singularly bold and severe in
outline. The brow is broad, the nose aquiline, while the arms and legs
are rudely indicated. Other curious idols have been dug up in the
neighbourhood of the town of Leon. The Spanish priests, anxious to put
down the ancient idolatry from the time of their arrival in the country,
have taken pains to destroy these idols, and many have been mutilated
and others buried by their orders.

In the island of Zapetero, rising out of Lake Nicaragua, there are a
still greater number of statues--some from eight to twelve feet in
height, and others of still greater magnitude--elaborately carved out of
hard stone. Sometimes they are placed round mounds which have evidently
served the purpose of altars, on which human sacrifices probably were
offered. One of the most interesting which has been brought to light is
twelve feet high, sculptured from a single block, and representing a
human figure seated on a high pedestal, the stone at the back of the
head being cut in the form of a cross. The limbs are heavy, and the
face large and expressive of great complacency.

Some of the idols represent an animal, apparently a tiger, springing
upon the head and back of a human figure. One--also at the Washington
Museum--represents a man squatted on his haunches, with one hand at his
side, and the other placed on his breast. The head is erect, and the
forehead encircled by a fillet, much carved. The features are unlike
most others--indeed, it seems as if each one had its individual
characteristic. A jaguar appears on the back of this statue, its
fore-paws resting upon the shoulders, and its hind ones upon the hips,
while it grasps in its mouth the back part of the head of the figure.

Although many of the figures represent human beings, others are those of
animals. One, a jaguar, is seated on its haunches, the head thrown
forward, the mouth open,--the attitude and expression being that of
great ferocity. It is very boldly sculptured. Another, a very well
proportioned human figure, is seated on a square throne raised five feet
from the ground. It is remarkable for having on its h