These nations were warlike, and were well provided with offensive and defensive weapons. The Spanish writers speak of them as skilled archers, rude antagonists, but not poisoning their weapons.[17-2] Besides the bow and arrow, _[c]ha_, they used a lance, _achcayupil_,[18-1] and especially the blow-pipe, _pub_, a potent weapon in the hands of an expert, the knowledge of which was widely extended over tropical America. Their arrow points were of stone, especially obsidian, bone and metal. Other weapons were the wooden war club, _[c]haibalche_; the sling, _ica[t]_; the hand-axe, _i[t]ah_, etc. For defense, they carried a species of buckler, _pocob_, and a round shield called _çeteçic chee_, “the circular wood.” Over the body they wore a heavy, quilted cotton doublet, the _xakpota_, which was an efficient protection. They may all be said to have been in the “stone age,” as the weapons and utensils were mostly of stone. The obsidian, which was easily obtained in that country, offered an admirable resource for the manufacture of knives, arrow heads, awls, and the like. It was called _chay abah_, and, as we shall see on a later page, was surrounded with sacred associations. The most esteemed precious stones were the _[c]ual_, translated “diamond,” and the _xit_, which was the impure jade or green stone, so much the favorite with the nations of Mexico and Central America. It is frequently mentioned in the _Annals_ of Xahila, among the articles of greatest value. Engraving both on stone and wood, was a prized art. The word to express it was _[c]otoh_, and engraved articles are referred to as _[c]otonic_. Although stone and wood were the principal materials on which they depended for their manufactures, they were well acquainted with several metals. Gold and silver were classed under the general name _puvak_, and distinguished as white and yellow; iron and copper were both known as _[c]hi[c]h_, and distinguished also by their color. The metals formed an important element of their riches, and are constantly referred to as part of the tribute paid to the rulers. They were worked into ornaments, and employed in a variety of decorative manners. The form of government of the four nations of whom I am speaking approached that of a limited monarchy. There was a head chief, who may as well be called a king, deriving his position and power through his birth, whose authority was checked by a council of the most influential of his subjects. The details of this general scheme were not the same at all periods, nor in all the states; but its outlines differed little.