The enema scenes on classic Maya pottery undoubtedly represent rituals and may very well indicate that the ancient Maya toak intoxicating enemas in a ritual context. This idea is quite contrary to the traditional view that the ancient Maya we re a contemplative people, who did not indulge in ritual ecstasy. The occasional display of vomiting actors would seem to provide a plausible reason why the Maya opted for rectal application. Some scenes present a fair amount of evidence that an alcoholic beverage may have been taking rectally. Other scenes open up the possibility that tobacco and the water lily may have served as an enema ingredient. It is sometimes speculated that the lat ter plant is hallucinogenic, but pharmacological confirmation of this view is still awaited.