THOJLJS] METHOD OP COUNTING DAYS. 271 



first as though placed at the end of it, the third following the second, 

 and so on to the end of the eighteenth. Whether or not it was the 

 ancient custom to include the 5 added days in the year, as asserted 

 by the old Spanish writers, is somewhat doubtful, at least in study- 

 ing the Dresden Codex, we shall find but few occasions, if any. to use 

 them, for there are few if any positive indications in this codex that 

 they were added. 



As stated, each column of the table forms a month, though the 

 numbering is carried to thirteen only; but at present the chief object 

 in view in presenting it is to use it in explaining the method of count- 

 ing the days and the intervals of time. The table is in truth a con- 

 tinuous series, and it is to be understood as though the 365 days were 

 written in one column, thus: 



1. Kan. 



2. C:hicclian. 



3. Cimi. 



4. Manik. 



5. Lamat. 



6. Muluc. 



7. Oc. 



8. Chuen. 



9. Eb. 



10. Been. 



11. Ix. 



12. Men. 



13. Cib. 



1. Caban. 



3. Ezanab, &c., 

 the 20 days being repeated over and over in the order in which they 

 stand in the table. This order is never changed; we may com- 

 mence at whatever point in the series occasion may require, but 

 the order here given must always be maintained, just as in our cal- 

 endar the order of our days is always Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, &c. 

 In other words, Chicchan miist always follow Kan, Cimi must al- 

 ways follow Chicchan, &c. 



The method of counting intervals in the Maya calendar is very 

 simple, if these explanations are borne in mind, and may be illus- 

 trated thus: Counting 14 days from 1 Kan — the first (hiy of the year 

 given in Table I — brings us to 2 Ezanab (the day \vi' (■( nmt from being 

 excluded) ; 12 days more bring us to 1 Oc, in tlu' sen md t( ilunm of our 

 table; 17 days more to 5 Manik, in the third column; and 17 days 

 more to !3 Kan, in the fourth column. 



The number of the day required is readily ascertained by adding 

 together the number of the day counted from and the number of 

 days to be counted, casting out the thirteens when the sum exceeds 

 this number (excepting where the remainder is thirteen); thus: l-f- 

 14:-13=2. the number of the day Ezanab given above. So 1-t- 

 14:-|-12-l-'3— l.'5 = l. the number of the day Oc, second coliimn. Table 

 I; and H-14-|-12-f-ir-l-17- 13- 13-13-13 = 0. the number of the day 



