sh "round towers" is to be seen _a crucifix of
unmistakable Asiatic origin_.[199:7]

If we turn to the New World, we shall find strange though it may appear,
that the ancient _Mexicans_ and _Peruvians_ worshiped a _crucified
Saviour_. This was the virgin-born _Quetzalcoatle_ whose crucifixion is
represented in the paintings of the "_Codex Borgianus_," and the "_Codex
Vaticanus_."

These paintings illustrate the religious opinions of the ancient
Mexicans, and were copied from the hieroglyphics found in Mexico. The
Spaniards destroyed nearly all the books, ancient monuments and
paintings which they could find; had it not been for this, much more
regarding the religion of the ancient Mexicans would have been handed
down to us. Many chapters were also taken--by the Spanish
authorities--from the writings of the first historians who wrote on
ancient Mexico. _All manuscripts had to be inspected previous to being
published._ Anything found among these heathens resembling the religion
of the Christians, was destroyed when possible.[199:8]

The first Spanish monks who went to Mexico were surprised to find the
_crucifix_ among the heathen inhabitants, and upon inquiring what it
meant, were told that it was a representation of _Bacob_
(Quetzalcoatle), the Son of God, who was put to death by _Eopuco_. They
said that he was placed on a beam of wood, _with his arms stretched
out_, and that he died there.[200:1]

Lord Kingsborough, from whose very learned and elaborate work we have
taken the above, says:

"Being questioned as to the manner in which they became
acquainted with these things, they replied that the lords
instructed their sons in them, and that thus this doctrine
descended from one to another."[200:2]

Sometimes Quetzalcoatle or Bacob is represented as _tied_ to the
cross--just as we have seen that _Attys_ was represented by the
Phrygians--and at other times he is represented "in the attitude of a
person crucified, with impressions of nail-holes in his hands and feet,
but not actually upon a cross"--just as we have found the Hindoo
_Crishna_, and as he is represented in Fig. No. 8. Beneath _this_
representation of Quetzalcoatle crucified, is an image of Death, which
an angry serpent seems threatening to devour.[200:3]

On the 73d page of the Borgian MS., he is represented _crucified on a
cross of the Greek form_. In this print there are also _impressions of
nails_ to be seen on the _feet and han