ruins
remaining is called El Sacrificatorio. It is a quadrangular stone
structure, rising in a pyramidal form to the height of thirty-three
feet. At the corners are four buttresses of cut stone. Steps lead up
on the eastern side. On the top it is evident that an altar was once
placed, for the sacrifice of human victims, which struck even the
Spaniards with horror. The whole was in full view of the people who
collected round the base. The ruins differ entirely from Copan and
Palenque. Here no statues, carved figures, or hieroglyphics are seen.
It is therefore supposed that these cities are of a much older date, and
built by another race.

UXMAL.

The most magnificent and perfect remains in the country are those of
Uxmal, about fifty miles south of Merida, the principal city of Yucatan.
Here, amid the dense forest, are found walls of considerable elevation,
with very extensive buildings,--the walls still standing to their full
height, and even the roofs, in some places, perfect. The largest
building--supposed to be the palace of the sovereign--stands on the
uppermost of three terraces, each walled with cut stone. It is 322 feet
in length, 39 broad, and 24 high. The front has thirteen doorways; the
centre of which is 8 feet, 6 inches wide, and 8 feet, 10 inches high.
The upper part is ornamented with sculpture in great profusion, of rich
and curious workmanship. The walls are covered with cement; and the
floors are of square stones, smoothly polished, and laid with as much
regularity as that of the best modern masonry. The roof forms a
triangular arch, constructed with stones overlapping, and covered by a
layer of flat stones. It is remarkable that the lintels of the doorways
are of wood, known as Sapote wood. Many of them are still hard and
sound, and in their places; but others have been perforated by
wormholes, their decay causing the fall of the walls.

Two other large buildings, facing each other, are embellished with
sculpture, the most remarkable features of which are two colossal
serpents, which once extended the whole length of the walls. Further on
are four great ranges of edifices, placed on the uppermost of three
terraces. The plan of these buildings is quadrangular, with a courtyard
in the centre. The walls are, like the others, ornamented with rich and
intricate carving, presenting a scene of strange magnificence. One of
the buildings is 170 feet long, and is remarkable for the two colos