Page:Mexican Archæology.djvu/363

Rh Mexican chicauaztli. Wind-instruments comprised conches, several forms of trumpet, often with bellmouths formed of calabashes, bone and reed flutes and whistles. Small bells or rattles of the "hawk-bell" pattern were often worn as ornaments. As regards games, beans were thrown as dice, but the most interesting amusement was the ball-game, called tlaxtli by the Mexicans, and played in the same manner. In the Popol Vuh the outfit of the ball-player, which the rat discovers for Hunahpu and Xbalanque, is said

to consist of "hip-shields, rings, gauntlets, crowns and helmets." By far the finest example of a tlaxtli-court known is at Chichen Itza, and the semi-religious nature of the game is illustrated by the fact that a temple is attached to it. Before a court could be used it was formally consecrated; at midnight, on a lucky day, two idols, one of the game, the other of the ball, were set up on the lower walls of the court, and certain ceremonies took place, including the blessing of the court itself. Finally the ball was thrown four times as in the game, and the court was then considered consecrated and could be used by the players. The game was played for stakes, such as a bundle of cotton cloths, gold ornaments, or