ns existing to the westward of the
structures described would be found, on examination, to reveal the same
arrangements.

As for the grand terraced pyramid supporting the Governor's House, it
may well be that other buildings would have been added in process of
time, as population increased. It is not necessary to suppose they
erected all the buildings around a court at once. It seems very
reasonable to suppose the northern building of the House of Nuns the
oldest. The direction is not quite the same as the others; it stands
on a higher terrace; and, furthermore, the present exterior walls are
simply built around the older building. It may be, however, that the
great terraced mound of the Governor's House was intended to support but
one building. As there is the best of reason for supposing that Uxmal
was inhabited at the time of the conquest, there is nothing to forbid
the conclusion that the erection of pyramids, temples, and buildings was
still going on.

Hieroglyphics, which formed such an interesting feature at Palenque, are
here almost entirely wanting. A few rows occur around the head of the
figure over the principal doorway of the Governor's House. They are of
the same general character as those already described, but are "more
rich, elaborate, and complicated." As to the probable antiquity of these
ruins, we must defer consideration until we become more acquainted with
the ruins of Yucatan.

The places we have now described will make us acquainted with the
general character of the ruins scattered all over Yucatan. We do not
feel as if we would be justified in dwelling at any great length over
the remainder, though one or two important places must be mentioned. A
word as to the frequency with which the ruins occur. We want to repeat
that Yucatan, even to this day, is far from being thoroughly explored.
Almost our only source of information is the writings of Mr. Stephens.
But he only described a few places. In a trip of thirty-nine miles
he took in a westerly direction from Uxmal he saw no less than seven
different groups of ruins. Some of these, though in a very dilapidated
state, presented points of great interest. When he started he knew of
but few of those ruins. Some he heard of quite by accident while on
his way, and some he first saw as he journeyed along the road. We must
suppose the whole country equally well supplied.

After he had left Uxmal for good, at the village of Nochahab (see map),
a little