In this connection it may be remarked that the Burmese and the Siamese have seldom engraved on any stones harder than Alabaster or Agalmatolite (Chinese figure stone). Their subjects principally represent Buddha; occasionally his two feet; their emblematic flowers, and their deeply-revered sacred Bôdhi-tree at Gaya.
SOMMERVILLE COLLECTION.
659
AZTEC.
AZTEC OR MEXICAN.
The American Continent has contributed some unique work executed by the Aztecs anterior to the Spanish conquest of Mexico.
Among the existing glyptic relics of nations we find no examples of execution in stone-engraving more peculiar than what has been preserved of the work of the Aztecs or Mexicans, especially that done before the occupation by Pizarro.