TO MY WIFE,

ALICE D. LE PLONGEON,

MY CONSTANT COMPANION DURING MY EXPLORATIONS

OF THE

RUINED CITIES OF THE MAYAS,

WHO,

IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A GLIMPSE OF THE HISTORY OF THEIR BUILDERS,

HAS EXPOSED HERSELF TO MANY DANGERS,

SUFFERED PRIVATIONS, SICKNESS, HARDSHIP;

MY FAITHFUL AND INDEFATIGABLE COLLABORATOR AT HOME;

THIS WORK IS

AFFECTIONATELY AND RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.

AUGUSTUS LE PLONGEON, M.D.

BROOKLYN, FEBRUARY 15, 1896.