356 



AIDS TO THE STUDY OF THE MAYA CODICES. 



The conclusion in this case is based on the following evidence: In 

 this series there are six groups of characters, four compound charac- 

 ters in each group, arranged as in the annexed diagram : 



ubedghimo 

 c d c f c d c n b 



1 3 3 fc c c 



/ / p 



Similai' characters in the different groups are represented by the 

 same letter; for example, the symbol for woman, heretofore shown 

 (No. 17), is represented by c, and an unknown character by d. Dif- 

 ferent letters represent different symbols. It is apparent that we 

 have here the parallelism heretofore spoken of and are justified in 

 basing conclusions on this fact. 



At 1, 2, and 3 are female figures with a bird in each i-asc perched 

 on the back. At a is the head of a bird, evidently tln' syiiil)()l of 

 the bird on the female below; at i, in the fourth grduji. is precisely 

 the same symbol as the one found in the same relative position in the 

 middle division of Plate 17 over another bird, and at m, in the fifth 

 group, is another bird's head. From these facts we conclude that the 

 first symbol in each of these groups denotes a bird, and, as no two are 

 alike, that they refer to different sj^ecies, the one at g corresponding 

 with symbol No. M, the bird beneath being the great parrot or ara. 

 Other facts, derived from a careful study of the various groups of 

 this portion of the codex, which would require much space and nu- 

 merous illustrations to explain, lead to the same belief. 



According to this conclusion, the following symbols also denote 

 birds, probably of the species here indicated. 



• jiOyjj<rj Icim? The horned owl. This is represented by a in the first group 



' II W^S ill tlie above diagram. 



No. -Jo. Tlie bird in the figure lender the group, although 



horned, bears but slight resemblance to an owl; yet, comparing the 

 marks on the tail with those of two of the birds on Plate XVIII * of 

 the Manuscript Troano, I think the interpretation is justified. 



gj^jjp^ Kuknitz ? The Quetzal. The symbol is apparently incomplete, but 

 aZJaJ* *'^*^ ^''^'^ figured under it justifies this conclusion. This symbol is 

 '■ •'• •= represented by e in the above diagram. 



No. 26. 



If tliis interpretation be correct, we find in this symbol another of 

 Landa's letters. 



