HOLDEN. J THE MAYA HIEROGLYPHS. 223 
also learn that they are not inseparable. 2020 will make sense with 
2082, 3024, and 3062. Here it looks as if the writing must be read in 
lines horizontally. We do not know yet in which direction. 
We must examine other cases. This is to be noticed: If the reading 
is in horizontal lines from left to right, then the progress is from top to 
bottom in columns, as the case of 3035 and 3040 shows. This occurs at 
the end of a line, and the corresponding chiffre required to make the 
pair is at the other end of the next line. I have marked this case with 
asterisks. If we must read in the lines from right to left we must neces- 
sarily read in columns from bottom to top. Thus the lines are connected. 
A similar process with all the other tablets in STEPHENS leads to the 
conclusion that the reading is in lines horizontally and in columns ver- 
tically. The cases 1835-45, 1885-95, 191424, and 1936~46 should, 
however, be examined. We have now to decide at which end of the 
lines to begin. The reasons given by Mr. BANCROFT (Native Races, vol. 
ii, p. 752) appeared to me sufficient to decide the question before I was 
acquainted with his statement of them. 
Therefore, the sum total of our present data, examined by a rational 
method, leads to the conclusion, so far as we can know from these data, 
that the verbal sense proceeded in lines from left to right, in columns 
from top to bottom; just as the present page is written, in fact. 
For the present, the introduction of the method here indicated is the 
important step. It has, as yet, been applied only to the plates of 
STEPHENS’ work. The definite conclusion should be made to rest on 
all possible data, some of which is not at my disposition at present. Tab- 
lets exist in great numbers at other points besides Palenque, and for the 
final conclusion these must also be consulted. If each one is examined 
in the way I have indicated, it will yield a certain answer. The direction 
of reading for that plate can be thus determined. At Palenque the 
progress is in the order I have indicated. 
Whe 
THE CARD-CATALOGUE OF HIEROGLYPHS. 
It has already been explained how a system of nomenclature was 
gradually formed. As I have said, this is not perfect, but it is suffi- 
ciently simple and full for the purpose. By it, every plate in StEPHENS’ 
work receives a number and every hieroglyph in each plate is likewise 
numbered. 
This was first done in my private copy of the work. I then procured 
another copy and duplicated these numbers both for plates and single 
chiffres. The plates of this copy were then cut up into single hiero- 
