NO. 1887. CENSERS AND INCENSE OF MIDDLE AMERICA— HOUOff. 137 



constellation. They said that one who did not bear these marks at the hour of death 

 would live in hell for the production of fire because they would light it over his wrist by 

 the same process that they employ to produce it by means of morsels of wood.* 



The Pipiles burned incense at the four corners of a field before 

 weeding,^ 



The Mayas and Mexicans burned incense over the grave of the dead.' 



A curious instance of substitution in which copal plays a part has 

 been recorded of the Mayas, who during the feast of the month of Mac 

 burnt the hearts of various animals, and if real hearts could not be 

 procured, imitations w^ere formed of copal and sacrificed on the fire.* 



Another singular custom of the Mayas is referred to by Bancroft: 



Respecting their ceremonies before giving battle we only know that on one occasion 

 in Yucatan they brought a brazier of burning perfume which they placed before the 

 Spanish forces, with the intimation that an attack would be made as soon as the fire 

 went out.'' 



1 Sahagun, work cited, p. 482. 



' Bancroft, Native Races, vol. 2, p. 720. 



3 Idem, p. 799. 



« Idem, p. 692. 



» Idem, p. 746. 



