THOMAS] EXPLANATION OF SERIES ON PLATE o. 283 



These, as will be readily perceived, are found by covmting on the 

 calendar from 1 Caban, 1 Muhic, &c., as heretofore exijlained.' 



Our interpretation of the series of this particular class is now com- 

 plete, except as to their application or the object in view in forming 

 them and the determination of the particular years to which they 

 apply. Possibly they may be of general application, so far as con- 

 sistent with the calendar system. The conclusion on this point de- 

 pends largely upon the conclusion as regards the system, as it is evi- 

 dent their location in time — if the year of 365 days and the fouj- series 

 of years formed the basis of the system — would not correspond with 

 their position in a system based upon the year of 360 days, in which 

 the four year series does not play any necessary part. 



Dr. Forstemann calls attention to the fact that the pairs of numerals 

 representing the intermediate days are usually placed in separate com- 

 partments, each containing a figure or a picture generally symbolic or 

 of a priest dressed to indicate some particular god. It is therefore very 

 probable that these intermediate days are to be devoted to ceremonies 

 relating to the divinities or subjects indicated by these figures. 



In order to confirm the theory we are now discussing and at the same 

 time show some of the different varieties of the series of the type now 

 under consideration, the following additional examples are given. 



In the middle division of Plate 5 is a day column and a nvimeral 

 series, as follows : 



I. 

 Manik ) 



Cauac V 16, IV; 9, XIII; S + 5, XII; 3, I. 

 Chuen ) 

 Aibal 

 Men 

 This series terminates with I, as it should according to the theory. 

 The sum of the black numerals — 16, 9, 20, 5, j2 — is 53, a multiple of 

 thirteen, and the interval between the successive days, reading down- 

 wards, is 52, agreeing in these particulars with the theory. It will 

 also be observed that the symb(jl represented l)y S answers to the 

 number 20. 



In the lowest division of the same plate is anothei' siinilar series, 

 as follows : 



XII 

 Ezanali i 



Akbal 30 -t- i), II : 11, XIII ; IS, V; 7. XII. 

 Lamat ) 

 Been 

 Ezanab 

 This terminates with XII, the number over the column; tlie sura of 

 the black numbei-s is Co, a multiple of thirteen and precisely the 

 interval between the successive days of the column, taking the week 

 numbers into consideration, which is always to be understood in 

 speaking of these intervals unless tlicomti-ary is expressly stated. 



' For an explanation of the prim ijilr ii|iiiii \\ liirh tlusc day columns were formed, 

 see " Notes on certain Maya and .Mt'.\i(;in uianusc-riijts." liy Cyrus Thomas, published 

 in the Tliird Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnolo-y. 



