269 
precisely divided ; and from which the intercalation was trans- 
ferred to Thoth Ist, with which the new year always com- 
menced in Egypt. 
A like inference is deduced from the era of Nabonassar, as 
having its neomenia coincident with February 26, the con- 
currence of that day with the time of the intercalation having 
led, amongst other causes, to its institution. The assumption 
derives confirmation from the Tentera zodiac to which we 
formerly alluded, and which was discovered in a temple that 
appears to have had its foundation determined by the rising 
of Sirius, as observed by the eye when directed along its walls 
to the horizon. In the coincidence of so remarkable a pheno- 
menon with the day of the intercalation, a sufficient cause for 
the erection of the temple at the celebrated era appears to 
be suggested. And the supposition derives no inconsiderable 
support from the monument raised in it; which, in the position 
assigned on it to Isis, in connexion with the cardinal points, 
marks out the precise time at which the temple was founded. 
The last instance adduced by the author, in support of his 
theory of the ancient year, is taken from the calendar of the 
Mexicans, which serves less to prove its antiquity than its 
extensive adoption. It appears that at the time their country 
was discovered they had acquired a just notion of the length 
of the year, having been accustomed to compute the course of 
time by quadrienniums, exactly corresponding with the Julian, 
and, what appears truly astonishing, having the intercala- 
tion coincident with February 25, as in the Roman calen- 
dar. And this custom, which was accompanied with super- 
stitious and barbarous rites, that prove it to have been derived 
_ from a different source than the Roman, we are assured on the 
highest authority, was common to all the polished nations of 
Anahuac, among whom the Mexicans were the principal.- 
After producing some concessions from the advocates of 
the ancient year consisting of 360 years, by which their oppo- 
_ sition to the author’s theory of an ancient year properly inter- 
VOL. VI. 2c 
