THOMAS.] PHONETIC FEATURES OF THE CHARACTERS. 365 



others in reference to which there is probably little doubt. It is 

 also true that the symbol is an exact copy of the god's head; but on 

 the other hand there are strong reasons for doubting the correctness 

 of Dr. Schellhas"s conclusion. 



The first is that the figure of the supposed deity seems to have 

 more indications of being the conventional representation of an idol 

 than of a deity. The lines of the head are precisely the same as 

 those on the heads of the carved idols. ' 



We also find it in connection with the wood symbol (marginal 

 No. 6) at the only points where the latter is found in the Cor- 

 tesian Codex, and, what is significant, in Avholly inappropriate places 

 unless connected with an idol figure. These are found in the lower 

 division of Plates 10 and 11, two on the top of thatched roofs and 

 another on the head of the deity called the '" god with the old man's 

 face," the head in the latter case being apparently carved from a 

 block of wood. 



The second is to the same effect, the symbol being found over each 

 of the figures of the lower division of Plates 20, 27, and 28 of the Cor- 

 tesian Codex and the middle division of Plates XXXI* and XXXII* 

 of the Manuscript Troano, where there appear to be processions of 

 the diffiMViit deities. It is also si,--uiri<-;uit that in the latter case each 

 deitvis licMiin^- iu liis hands wliat smiis tuhca block of wood from 

 whicli in all pn.lialiility an idol is t-. lie .-ai'ved. 



Third, we find rows or lines composed entirely of this symbol, as 

 in the so-called title page of the Maniiscript Troano. 



DISCUSSION A3 TO PHONETIC FEATURES OF THE CHARACTERS. 



It must be admitte.l, as Iieretotniv intimated, tliat this (|nestion 

 has not as yet heen sat isfaeloial y aiisweiv.l. Whether what is here 

 presented will sutlire to settle this point in the minds of students of 

 American paleography is doubtful; nevertheless, it is believed that 

 it will bring us one step nearer the goal for which we are so earnestly 

 striving. Something is said on this subject iu my former work,'^ 

 which need not be repeated here. 



As it is evident from the preceding list of characters that conven- 

 tional signs and symbols, often nothing more than abbreviated picto- 

 graphs, were used in many cases to designate objects and persons, 

 the inference to be drawn, unless other evidence is adduced, is, that 

 this method prevailed throughout. Nevertheless there is some evi- 

 dence that at the date when these manuscripts were written Maya 

 culture was in a transition state ; that is to say, conventional symbols 



'See Plates XVI* 6 and XVII *c, Manuscript Troano. 

 ''Study of the Manuscript Troano, pp. 141-161. 



