I cannot conclude the account of this god without referring to a tradition which is given in relation to him, by Acosta, in his Natural and Moral History, book 4th, chap, xxiv., and is repeated by Clavigero and Dr. McCulloh.
Two days before his festival, an idol representing him was made by the sacred Virgins, of grains of parched corn and seeds of beets, mixed together with honey or the blood of children. This they clothed with a splendid dress and seated on a litter.
On the morning of the festal day this figure was borne in solemn procession around the city of Mexico, and then carried to the temple, where they had prepared a great quantity of the same paste of seeds and blood, of which the priests also made an idol, called "the flesh and bones" of Huitzilopotchtli.
After certain ceremonials and consecration, the image was sacrificed as they sacrificed their human victims, "and his body was broken into small pieces, which, together with those portions called his "flesh and bones" were distributed among the people," who, according to Acosta, "received the same with tears, fear and reverence, as if it was an admirable thing, saying that they did eat the flesh and bones of God, wherewith they were grieved. Such as had any sick folks," continues Acosta, "demanded thereof for them, and carried it with great reverence and devotion"
