gladly pay my tribute to the memory of one who was beloved by all travellers, the late Secretary of the Society, Henry Bates, who, after my return from my earlier journeys, was almost alone in offering encouragement, pointing out to me the importance of the work which seemed to have fallen to my lot to undertake. My friend, Mr. Francis Sarg, for many years Imperial German Consul at Guatemala City, to whose ready help and never-failing hospitality the success of my earlier journeys was largely due, has added to the long list of his thoughtful acts of kindness by making many valuable suggestions and by saving us from many errors, especially in our descriptions of the Indians and their customs. Of my obligation to Mr. F. DuCane Godman, the editor of the ‘Biologia Centrali-Americana,’ it is not easy for me to speak in measured terms; and as he would be the first to deprecate the only expressions by means of which adequate thanks could be tendered to him, I must here content myself with assuring him of my gratitude for allowing me to reproduce the reduced copies of certain maps, plans, photographs, and drawings which have already appeared, or are about to be issued, in the Archæological section of the ‘Biologia.’
The greatest pleasure which the completion of this volume could have afforded to my wife and myself has, alas! been denied to us: we cannot place a copy of it in the hands of Osbert Salvin. What loss science has suffered by his death it is not for me to say; but how great the loss is to his friends I have good reason to know, for to his enduring patience, his never-failing sympathy, his sound advice, and affectionate friendship I owe more than I can here express. In the preparation of this volume, about the land he knew so well and with which his name must ever be associated, he took such a kindly and helpful interest that his connection with it will always remain amongst the happiest of our memories.
I cannot close this preface without offering my sincere thanks to Miss Annie Hunter and her sisters, and to all those who have been concerned in the preparation of the drawings and the reproduction of the illustrations, for the interest they have taken in the work entrusted to them and the carefulness with which it has been carried out. In conclusion, I am glad to express my acknowledgments for the good services rendered to me by the companions in my travels, the men of the Lopez family, and especially my friend Gorgonio, whose gentle manners and sweet disposition helped to smooth over many a bad half-hour during my earlier expeditions, and whose ceaseless vigilance over the welfare of my wife during our last journey did so much to lessen for her the discomforts of camp-life.
A. P. M.
LIST OF MAPS AND PLANS.
| Page | |||
| Plan of the Ruined Town between Guatemala and Mixco. | (A. P. M.) | 18 | |
| Utatlan, the ancient capital of the Quichés. | ” | to face 62 | |
| Ruins near Rabinal. | (2 plates.) | ” | to face 102 |
| ” | Ground-plan of Tlachtli Court. | ” | 104 |
| Copan. | Plan of the principal ruined structures. | ” | to face 118 |
| ” | Sketch-map of the site of the Ruins. | ” | 127 |
| Quirigua. | Plan of the Ruins. | (C. Blockley and H. W. Price.) | to face 148 |
| Ixkun. | Plan of the Ruins. | (A. P. M.) | to face 174 |
| Yaxché. | Ground-plan of a Temple. | ” | 177 |
| ” | Arrangement of Mounds on a hill-top. | ” | 178 |
| Chichén Itzá. | Plan of the Ruins. | ” | to face 200 |
| ” | Plan of the Great Ball Court. | ” | to face 204 |
| Palenque. | Plan of the principal group of Ruins. | (Surveyed by H. W. Price.) | 218 |
| ” | Plan of the Palace. | ” | to face 226 |
| ” | Plan and Section of the Temple of the Sun. | ” | 228 |
| Tikál. | Plan of the Ruins. | (A. P. M.) | to face 232 |
| ” | Plan of the Foundation-mound and Temple A. | ” | 233 |
| ” | Plan and Section of Temple B. | ” | 233 |
| ” | Plan of Temple D. | ” | 234 |
| Menché Tinamit. | Plan of the Ruins. | ” | to face 238 |
| Map of Guatemala and the adjacent Countries. | 272 | ||
The Maps and Plans are reduced copies of those already published, or in course of publication in the ‘Biologia Centrali-Americana’ (Archæology).
End Papers. Drawn from ancient American originals by Miss Annie Hunter.
Photogravures. By the Swan Electric Engraving Company.
Chromolithographs. By W. Griggs & Sons, Ltd.
Etchings on Tissue. By the Typographic Etching Company.
Index. By Miss M. H. James.
