inquiry brought him information of so many ruins that he did
not have time to visit them all. As to the question of use to which
these buildings were applied, we must either suppose they had an immense
number of temples and palaces--one or the other every few miles--or else
they were the residences of the people themselves. And, though it may
seem very strange that an imperfectly developed people should ornament
so profusely and delicately their ordinary places of abode,<50> yet it
is difficult to understand why they should rear such an abundance of
temples and palaces.

At Kabah (see map) Mr. Stephens found a most interesting field of ruins,
rivaling Uxmal in extent, if not surpassing it. One group of buildings,
arranged much like the House of Nuns, has some interesting features
about it. The highest terrace in this case is nearly square, and the
building on its summit is nearly the same shape. We have here two rows
of double rooms, separated by a middle wall, very massive, as if two of
the typical Maya buildings had been placed back to back. The front of
this building was elaborately ornamented. In all the buildings at Uxmal
the part above the cornice only was ornamented. Here the entire front
was covered with carved stone. To make room for further ornaments the
roof bore an additional appendage, like the second story of the Palenque
temples. This building must have presented a wonderful appearance when
entire.

Another feature at this place has reference to the pyramid. We are
familiar with the idea of a terraced mound supporting buildings. In one
of these Kabah structures the buildings are arranged in a different and
suggestive way. That is, the pyramid was terraced off. There were three
ranges of buildings, the roof of one range forming a promenade in front
of the other. In another of the Kabah structures was found a wooden
lintel, elegantly carved. Mr. Stephens tells us the lines were clear and
distinct, and the cutting, under any test, and without any reference to
the people by whom it was executed, would be considered as indicating
great skill and proficiency in the art of carving on wood. At the
expense of a great deal of hard work, he succeeded in getting this
lintel out and removed to New York, where it was unfortunately destroyed
by fire.

They worked stone to better advantage at Kabah than at Uxmal. For the
first time we meet with lintels of stone and a doorway with carved
jambs. The lintels were suppor