liths are carved with glyphs. "Altar G," illustrated in Mr. Maudslay's
work, exhibits four glyphs only--an interesting number, replete with
significance to the native mind.

The number 24 occurs on Altar R on which the glyphs are disposed as
2x4=8+2x8=24. The number 24 recurs on the top of Altar U, where the glyphs
are disposed in 3 rows of 8 each. At the same time the back of this altar
exhibits 5x10=50 and its sides 2x2=4 glyphs, which may possibly constitute
separate records. In the majority of foregoing cases the glyphs are single
and comparatively simple. On Altar S, however, we have double and
quadruple glyphs, the latter obviously being a highly developed cursive
method of recording facts, rendered possible by the minute classification
of all things in the State into definite divisions with fixed
relationships to each other.

Having lingered so long in Copan we can but glance at Quirigua and note
its most remarkable features. This ruined city lies on Motagua river,
1,800 feet below and at about a distance of twenty-five to thirty miles
from Copan. It is now subjected to almost annual inundations from the
river and its situation in marshy surroundings renders it extremely
unhealthy. It may have been partly on this account that the neighboring
capital of Copan was founded in an elevated and salubrious position.

An interesting fact has been pointed out to me by Mr. Maudslay, namely,
that the ground plan of both groups of ruins is almost exactly the same,
Copan being only somewhat the larger of the two. This identity proves that
the same distinct scheme of orientation was carried out in both places and
that importance was undoubtedly attached to the relative positions of the
pyramid-temples, courts and buildings.(65) A proof that two distinct
castes of rulers existed and were respectively associated with the
northern and southern regions of the capital is furnished by a
circumstance communicated to me by Mr. Maudslay. In Copan, as well as at
Quirigua, some of the individuals sculptured on the stelae are beardless,
whilst others have beards which seem to be sometimes artificial. These
stelae usually stood at the sides of the great courts, and at the bases of
the pyramid-temples. Mr. Maudslay has observed that in both places, all of
the bearded effigies are situated to the north of the beardless ones. The
first, for instance, occupy the northern and the second the southern side
of a court; their respective positions