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MEXICAN ARCHÆOLOGY

show these characteristics to the same degree, and present abnormal varieties of cornice, while others display signs of alteration and modification which imply at least that the site was inhabited for a considerable period. The most striking buildings, perhaps the finest in the true Yucatec style which exist, are the so-called "House of the Governor" (Pl. XXX p. 358), the "Temple of the Magician," peculiar in its oblong pyramid with rounded corners (Fig. 73, h; p. 321),[1] and the "House of the Doves," distinguished by a van-dyked roof-comb ornamented with open-work tracery. Lack of space forbids allusion to the many other Yucatec sites, such as Labna, Sayil, Kabah, and so forth, but it may be said that they embody similar forms of decoration such as the grotesque mosaic mask, and geometrical and pilastered ornament (Pl. XXV, 1; p. 332), though the structures can hardly be said to compare with those of Chichen Itza and Uxmal.

As regards British Honduras, mention has already been made of the interesting building at Santa Rita, decorated with frescoes somewhat akin in style to those at Mitla, though rather nearer the true Maya in type. It is difficult not to see in this art an extension of the "Toltec" influence so evident at Chichen Itza, combined with a stronger element of the local Maya art. But buildings in this region are few, though the substructures of former edifices are common. On the Colombia branch of the Rio Grande is found an extensive two-tiered foundation-mound, supporting a number of stepped pyramids, which recall to some extent the site of Uxmal, in so far as the corners of most are rounded. Both mound and pyramids are faced with cut stone, and quantities of brick are also found which appear to have been used as hearting and paving material.

  1. The corners of the Castillo at Chichen Itza also appear to have been slightly rounded and not square, as shown in Fig. 73,f; p. 321.