Chapter VIII

FURTHER EXPLORATIONS OR THE RUINS IN THE VICINITY OF THE RANCHO DE LAS PIEDRAS, 127

Situation of the ruins, 127 Discoveries--a female head 128 Description--transportation to New York, 129 Colossal head, 130 The American Sphinx, 132 Conjectures, 134 Curiously ornamented head, 136 A mythological suggestion, 137 Deserted by my Indian allies, 138 A thrilling adventure, 139 The escape, 140 A road side view, 140

CHAPTER IX.

VISIT TO THE ANCIENT TOWN OF PANUCO.--RUINS, CURIOUS RELICS FOUND THERE, 141

Route along the banks of the river, 141 Scenery--rare and curious trees, 142 Panuco and its inhabitants, 143 Language--antiquarian researches--Mr. Gallatin, 144 Extensive ruins in the vicinity of Panuco, 145 Sepulchral effigy, 145 Custom of the ancient Americans.--A conjecture, 147 An inference, and a conclusion, 148 Ruins on every side--Cerro Chacuaco, &c. 149 A pair of vases, 150