Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-11-02

scorpions OF every QimenBlOn, some over
six inches long. The horned frog is also
found with few specimens from Texas.
They greatly resemble each other. Their
beauty is the same in both countries.
There is also fine collection of reptiles
from Cochin China, among which Is the
minute snake, whose bite causes instan-
taneous death. Europe is also repre-
sented, but her variety is not great. The
geological department is only passable.
Some Texas animals have found place
in it. the forlorn looking prairie dog and
its bosom friend the skunk.
The department of antiquities is q
treasure, aud one visiting Mexico should
on no account fall to see it. 1t includes
a collection of arms, utensils, jewels,
idols and picture writing relating to an
eient Mexico; also the stone of the sun,
called by other writers the Aztec oalen-
dar stone. From facts known concerning
it, it was placed on one of the artificial
mounds in the center of the Indian
pueblo of Tenochtitlan (Mexlco city,. 1t
served as the base to smaller stone to
which the
VICTIMS FOR THE SACRIFICE
were tied. in regard to the carvings on
the stone of the sun. the central figure
is supposed to represent the sun and per-
haps the year also, and the twenty fig
ures around 1t representing the twenty
days of the Mexican month. The idol,
Hurtzilopochtli (also called Tcoyaomi-
quiz. is huge idol of porphyritic basalt
nearly nine feet high. 1t is covered with
rude carvings. The whole effect is hid
eous, as are all their deitles. 1t is sup
posed that be was the war god of the
Mexican tribe. The sacrifioiRl stone is
also in the southern gallery. 1t is huge
cylinder, upon which is carved the victo-
ries of the chief TiZoc upon the neighbor-
ing tribes. These figures disposed in
groups of two show conqueror and van
quished. 1t was dug up in the plaza
near the cathedral in 1871, and it was
first ordered to be broken up for street
pavements, as was done with many H.
teresting relics. Chac- Mool was the god
of fire. There are two specimens of that
god. The larger of the two is q recun-
bent colossal figure holding with both
hands round disk with narrow rim.
There are q great many other deities,
including Quetzalcoatt, god of wind, the
god of water and other elements. Coat
licue was the god of death. Hisdress is
wholly composed of snakes, and his
horny hands show his occupation az
RTSSe uiEg6F. SOlOSsdl uGaUS vi SuhhoH,
were used to surround their mounds of
worship, serpent of gigantic size coiled
in the form of pyramid. its body COW
cred with feathers carved in basaltic
porphyry. Large urns or bowls in which
were received the
BLOOD AND HEART
of the victim, remains of their temple
beautifully carved, also remains of Mon
fazn ~ nal 10 nfa la md
pons, fill three large rooms. Their pot
terry was in some cases artistically made.
Their Jewelry was too heavy to be called
artistic. Huge necklaces ana bracelets
are to be seen. Montezuma's shield is
in perfect preservation. There are
musical instruments made of wood, some
about yard in length, of cylinder form,
containing not over four to,six notes. They
were played for the sacrifices, victories
and dances. The music obtained from
them is sad aud monotouous. The most
famous of the picture writings preserved
is that believed to represent the migra-
ton of the Aztec tribes.
In the historical section of the museum
will be found another interesting class OF
objects. A few of the most interesting
Is the standard raised by Hidalgo Sep
TENDER l6, 1910; the picture of the virgin
of Guadalupe from the Santuario of Ato-
tonlico; the stool, gun, cane, silk hand
kerchief, aud chair once belonging TO the
liberator priest; the standard of the con-
quest, the red dRmask flag carried by
the conquerors; arms and armors of the
time OF the conquest, including the he'll
met and breastplate of Pedro de AIYa.
RADIO; portraits of the viceroys, silver
table service of the Emperor Macmillan
(his state coach is also preserved In one
OF the lower rooms, aud various other
objects too numerous to mention iutl-
metely connected with the most notable
men of Mexican history.
MARIE LoUBENs.