uated but a short distance from the others,
was discovered a third tablet, which is shown in the cut opposite. We
give all the tablet, showing the hieroglyphics as well. We must compare
this with the first tablet given. The priests are, evidently, the
same--but, notice, they stand on different sides of the cross. The same
priest is making the offering as in the first, and the same bird is seen
on the top of the cross. The priests stand on flowered ornaments.
The support of the cross resembles the same thing as in the first but
whether it is a human skull, or a serpent, is hard to tell. The cross
itself is not as well outlined. The two arms are floral ornaments. We
must also notice the two faces seen on the upright part.<22>

Illustration of Maler's Cross.-----------------

These tablets are all of great interest. That of the cross, the first
one given, has attracted more attention than almost any other in the
field of American antiquities. This is largely owing to the cross.
As far as the sacred emblem itself is concerned, we do not think this
tablet of more significance than that of the sun. It is well known that
the cross, as a sacred emblem, had peculiar significance in the ancient
religions of the world. Its use as such has come down to us from time
immemorial. On the first expedition of the Spaniards, in 1518, to the
coast and islands of Yucatan, they discovered that the cross was of some
significance to the natives. In the island of Cozumel they found a large
cross, to which the natives prayed for rain.<23>

Mr. Brinton thinks that the source of this veneration of the cross,
like the the sacredness of the number four, of which he gives numerous
illustrations, is the four cardinal points.<24> From these points blow
the four winds which bring the fertilizing rains, and thus render the
earth fruitful; and hence the cross, in so many and widely separated
portions of the earth, is used as the symbol of the life-giving,
creative, and fertilizing principle in nature.<25> He thinks this is,
perhaps, the significance of these Palenque crosses. It is true we have
different forms of the cross; but in ancient sculpture they seem to have
been of equal importance.<26>

The results of these inquiries into the hidden meaning of these tablets
are not devoid of interest; but, thus far, but few conclusions of value
have been obtained. They have been made to do service in support of
some far-fetched theories. The early Spanish