156 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [VoL. VI. 
CHAPTER IX. 
THE INSCRIPTIONS IN THE LIGHT OF OTHER HISTORICAL DOCU- 
MENTS: THE HISTORIES OF THE QUICHES AND THE 
CACHIQUELS. 
The principal names upon the Tablet of Palenque have already been 
identified with names set forth in the native histories of Mexico and 
Central America. These native histories have been translated and 
arranged by the Abbé Brasseur de Bourbourg, and, so far as the writer 
knows, by no one else. In accomplishing this vast undertaking, a task 
calling for the sympathy and admiration of all students of history, the 
Abbé made occasional mistakes, some of which, like the mistakes of 
Herodotus, are evidences of wisdom; and, over these trivial errors, a 
reputation for learning has been assumed by certain writers who are 
not worthy to be named in the same category as that which places in 
its front rank and in its first place the illustrious author of ‘‘ The History 
of the Civilized Nations of Mexico and Central America.” The 
material from which the Abbé derived his histories were chiefly Spanish 
documents written by natives conversant with the oral traditions or 
written annals of their peoples, and in some cases, actual native records 
transcribed in the aboriginal languages, but in European characters. 
His chief error lies in his attempt to identify the gods and culture- 
heroes of the Aztecs with those of the Maya-Quiche pantheon, quite 
forgetting that the two populations are of radically different origins.’ 
The chief names found in the inscriptions read are those of Oxlahun- 
Pek, Cablahun-Toc, Oxcabuc, and Huntoh, with Lahun-Pek, of Guate- 
mala or the House of Cawek, and of Cakaaxha and Cacab of Oaxaca. 
To these may be added the names of Nohpat of Uxmal and his ancestor 
Canich. Speaking of the origin of the House of Cawek, Brasseur says 
that the four great ancestors of the Quiches were Balam Quitze, Balam 
Agab, Mahucutah, and Iqi Balam. “ Balam Quitze left two sons, Qocaib 
and Qocawib, who were, adds the Quiche book, the fathers and chiefs 
of the House of Cawek. Balam Agab equally had two sons, Quocul 
and Qoacutec, who were the chiefs of the House of Nihaib. Mahucutah 
was the father of Qo-Ahau, chief of the House of Ahau-Quiche ; and 
Iqi Balam was childless.”» The Abbé’s information was derived from the 
