are
inlaid with turquoise and have eyes made of iron pyrites (see
Illustration), and a finger-ring made of the central whorl of a
cone-like shell (see Colored Plate No. 2), in which triangular-shaped
pieces of turquoise and red spondylus shell were inlaid. Pieces of dark
wood were also inlaid with turquoise.
Bernal
Diaz, who came over with Cortez, mentions that on the landing of the
explorers at San Juan de Ulloa, the ambassador from Montezuma brought
various rich presents, including four chalchihuitls, each of which the
ambassador claimed was worth more than a load of gold. Diaz states that
the chalchihuitls were green stones of uncommon value, and held in
higher estimation among the Indians than the smaragdus or emerald was
among the Spaniards. Torquemada, who regarded chal-chihuitl as a
species of emerald, states that the Mexicans gave the name "
Chalchihuitl" to Cortez, intending thus to show their respect for him
as a captain of great valor, " for chalchihuitl is of the color of the
emerald, and emeralds were held in great esteem." Offerings of this
stone were made by the Indians in the temple of the goddess
Matlalcueye, and it was their custom to place a fragment in the mouths
of distinguished chiefs when buried. Torquemada, in recording this
fact, says that these stones were emeralds, but that they were called
chalchihuitl by the Indians. When Alvarada and Montezuma played
together at games of chance, Alvarada paid, if he lost, in
chalchihuitl stones, but received gold if he won.
The
Indians claimed that the art of cutting and polishing chalchihuitl was
taught them by the god Quetzalcohvatl. Bernardino de Sahagun
considered chalchihuitl to be a jasper of a very green color, or a
common smaragdus. He states that they are green and opaque, and are
much worn by the chiefs strung on a thread around their wrists, being
regarded as a badge of distinction. (See Illustration.) Friar Marco de
Nica in 1539 made a journey among the Indians of New Mexico, and in his
narrative frequently mentions green and bluish stones, which were worn
as ornaments by them, pendant from the ears and nose. He also mentions
seeing many " turqueses," which there is little doubt he considered the
green stones to be. These turquoises were worn, not only in the ears
and nose, but as neck-
