ounting the pyramid. Trees are
seen growing all over the ruins. The outer wall is pierced by numerous
doorways which, being somewhat wider than the space that separates
them, gives to the whole the appearance of a portico with wide piers: no
remains of the doors themselves have been discovered. Drilled holes in
the projecting cornice, immediately above the doorway, gave Mr. Stephens
the impression that an immense cotton curtain, perhaps painted in a
style corresponding with the ornaments, had been extended the whole
front, which was raised or lowered, according to the weather. The
lintels of the doors were of wood. They had long since vanished, and
the stones over the doorway fallen down. Of the piers separating the
doorways, only fifteen were found standing, but the crumbling remains of
the others were readily traced on the ruins.

Illustration of Bas-relief, Palenque.-----------

Each of the standing piers, and presumably all the others, was
ornamented with a bas-relief in stucco. This cut gives us a good
example of this style of ornamentation. We notice portions of a richly
ornamented border. This stucco work consists of human figures in various
attitudes, having a variety of dress, ornaments, and insignia. The
stucco is said to be nearly as hard as the stone itself. Traces of
paint, with which the figures were once ornamented, were still to be
seen. The conjectures in regard to these figures, have been innumerable.
Vividly painted, and placed in a conspicuous place on the wall, we
may be very sure they were full of significance to the builders. Three
hieroglyphics are placed over the head of each group, but so far, they
are as little understood as the figures themselves. We can imagine the
effect, when the building was still perfect and entire, and all the
piers were thus ornamented.

Illustration of Cross-section Palace, Palenque.----

Passing to the top of the pyramid, we find the construction of the
building whose outer wall we have been describing, to be substantially
as follows: Three parallel walls, from two to three feet in thickness,
composed of hewn stones, were erected about nine feet apart. At the
height of ten feet, the walls commenced approaching each other; not,
however, in an arch, for this was unknown, but in a triangular manner,
the stones in each course projecting a little farther out. This cut
represents a cross-section of the buildings, and shows also the slight
cornice. All inequalit