in magnificence, and which, at the time of
its destruction, was at its zenith of prosperity. The location was very
similar to that of Patinamit. It also stood on an elevated plateau, with
immense ravines on every side. It was approached only at one point, and
guarding this one point of approach was a line of fortifications. They
consisted of the remains of stone buildings, probably towers. The stones
were well cut and laid together. These fortifications were united by a
ditch.

Within this line of towers stood a structure, generally regarded as a
fort, directly guarding the line of approach. Steps led up a pyramidal
structure having three terraces, one over the other. The top was
protected by a wall of stone, and from the center rose a tower. Beyond
this fort was the ruins of the city. Mr. Stephens describes a large ruin
which is called The Palace. It is said, in round numbers, to have been
eleven hundred by twenty-two hundred feet. As this area is more than
fifty-five acres in extent, we can see it was not a palace in our sense
of the word. The stones of which it was composed have been largely
removed to build the modern town of Santa Cruz. But the floor could
still be traced, and some remains of partition walls. The floor was
still covered with hard cement.

Adjoining the palace was a large plaza or court-yard, also cemented, in
the center of which was the ruins of a fountain. Another structure
still remaining was a small pyramid, at the top of which was probably a
temple, or, at least, a place of sacrifice. No hieroglyphics or statues
have been found here. A few terra-cotta figures have been found, and
one small gold image. It would seem from this description that the ruins
simply consist of a few large structures. For aught we know, they may
have been communal houses.

Mr. Stephens, however, condenses Fuentes's account, which is truly
wonderful. According to him, the center of the city was occupied by the
royal palaces, around which were grouped the houses of the nobles. The
extremities were inhabited by the plebeians. He tells us there were
many sumptuous buildings, the most superb of which was a seminary, where
between five and six thousand children were educated at royal expense.
The palace was formed of hewn stones of various colors. There were six
principal divisions. In one was lodged the king's body-guard, in the
second the princes and the relatives of the king, and so forth.

It is not necessary to remi