814 MAYAN CALENDAR SYSTEMS [ETH. ANN. 19 
as the bird head with 10 prefixed, center of plate 70; the Imix-like 
character with 19 prefixed, lower left-hand corner of plate 71. 
In regard to this character, which is contained in two groups—one 
on plate 51, shown at A5, plate xnrv, the other on plate 52, shown at 
C4, plate xurv, as given in the codex, Mr Goodman’s figures containing 
supposed restorations—he remarks as follows (p. 93): 
The resemblance between the last glyph in the list and the character occurring on 
plates 51 and 52 of the Dresden codex removes all doubt of the latter being a 
directive sign. It is employed so curiously in one instance that it is well worth 
while giving both examples of its use in order to illustrate the peculiarity. The 
reckonings it follows are from 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu (which, coincidently, is the beginning 
of the 54th great cycle of the Archaic era) to 12 Lamat in both cases, but with 
different intervals. The reading on plate xr is this: [See plate xziva]. 
Here the meaning, plainly enough, is: From 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu to the 12 Lamat; 
that is, 8 days from the former (or initial) date. The reading on plate 52 is more 
complicated. There are two 4 Ahau-8 Cumhu dates followed by this reckoning: 
[See plate xirv)]. 
The 12 Lamat is not distinct, as here, but there can be no question of its identity, 
the reckoning being of exactly the same character as the other. The reading here 
is: 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu, 4+ Ahau 8 Cumhu, to the 12 Lamat; that is, 8 days, 1 chuen, and 
5 ahaus from the 2 former (or initial) dates. The peculiarity here is that the direc- 
tive sign indicates the reckoning to be from two dates—the only instance of the 
kind that has come under my observation. 
In regard to the group on plate 51 (our plate xiv) it may be safely 
assumed that the upper date is 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu, and it is true that count- 
ing 8 days from this date brings the reckoning to 12 Lamat, but the 
long series immediately below seems to be intended to connect the latter 
date with the 12 Lamat which is below this long series precisely as in 
the preceding case, the series here ascending to the left. The assump- 
tion, therefore, that the Imix symbol isa directive signis very doubtful; 
moreover, the Lamat symbol precedes it. Férstemann suggests that 
it signifies an ahau-katun=8,760 days. 
Mr Goodman’s interpretation of the group on plate 52 (our plate 
XLIv), will scarcely stand the test of careful examination. In the first 
place, the assumption that 12 Lamat stands at the head of the group is 
not warranted. The remnant of the obliterated glyph gives no color 
to it, nor is there anything in the arrangement of the series in the diyi- 
sion to suggestit. Moreover, the two dates—each + Ahau 8 Cumhu—do 
not pertain to the column, but to the two long series at the right imme- 
ediately under them. This is evident from inspection, but positive 
proof is found in the fact that, if we use the black numerals of the 
series, the 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu over the right column connects with the 
12 Lamat below, and when we use the red counters we reach, in the 
same series, the 1 Akbal below. Using the red counters in the left 
column and counting from the 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu above, we reach 7 
Lamat below. The black numerals of this column, which, as they 
stand, differ only LO days from those of the right column, reach Ezanab, 

