350 



AIDS TO THE STUDY OF THK MAYA CODICES. 



This conclusion is -ivatly si ivn-tlinnMl by 11h> fad lliat tlic only 

 other symbols in this cuiincci idii aiv IIi..siM,r t liccardinal ] joints, one 

 to each vessel. These liguces nn- proliahly iiitiMidiM] to dcnot.' here 

 the four sacred vessels or amphorae of the Bacab, though not sur- 

 mounterl, as Brasseur supposed, by human or animal figures. 



The symbol apjH'ais tn lie nscil also in the ordinary sense, or at 

 least tosi<;iiiry ot licr \ rssi'ls t lian t lir sacivd four, if we may judge 

 by its fiv(iucnt ivpctition in Flal<> X I V. .Manuscript Troano. But it 

 is worthy of notice that here also, in both the middle and lower 

 divisions, four of the symbols are connected with the cardinal point 

 symbols ; there is also in the former the figure of a vessel. 



If this identification be correct it is important, as it has a strong 

 bearing on the question of phoneticism. It will be observed that, 

 although the right hand member ri'scniblcs dosi'ly the symbol of the 

 day Ymix, there are some ditferem-es. as may be seen by 

 comparison. In the former the little figure at the top 

 is divided as in Kan, and on each side of it there is a 

 large dot. usually, and apparently by intention, circular 

 or hollow. These differences are ]iermanent in the different codices. 

 In the upper division of Plates X and XI. Mauiiscript Troano. 

 where this symliol 

 nal symbols, that : 

 tiou 



Ijpeai's in connection with each of the four card i 

 lating to the east presents this remarkable varia- 



(V) A conventicmal figure of sin-outing maize, never inserted in the 

 te.xt. but frequently in tlie Manuscript Troano and in tlie Peresian 

 Codex made a part of the head gear of figures of deities,, in wliich 

 case the Kan symbol is generally omitted. 



The Kan symbol in this connection cannot be in- 

 tended, as Dr. Schellhas supposes, to indicate the field 

 or milpa in which the corn is growing, but the grain 

 from which the plant is springing. (On this subject 

 see Study of the Manuscript Troano, by Cyrus Thomas, 

 ' pp. 105 and 1U7.) 



fr:^7^^ (') -Symbol of a worm which gnawed the roots of the growing agave 



T^^VJ (ir maguey: appears but once, on Plate XXIXc of the Manuscript 



^---~1^ Troano. 



No. It). 



The animal head and teetli show the erroneous idea the natives 

 hail of the gnawing apparatus of insects. The worm is shown on 

 the next page in Fig. 375. 



