414 BURFAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 28 



Both differences, between the numbers and the days, are also proved 

 correct by the fact that 218 days alwa^^s elapse between III 2 and 

 XIII 20: but -12 is 2G0— 218 and 15,038 is equal to 57X260+218. 



Thus we obtain a result satisfactory in every respect. 



THE NUMERALS IN THE SERPENTS 



While I have already discussed the main part of the foregoing sub- 

 jects in a former paper, although in a different connection, I present 

 the following for the first time to the knowledge of my felloAv- workers 

 in this field of research. 



As the crowning point of the entire numeric structure in question, 

 we find on pages 61 and 62 four large serpents drawn in a vertical 

 position, in the coils of which are placed black and red numerals. 

 It was a long time before I became convinced that these numerals 

 were not independent of each other, but constituted large numbers, 

 and that the black numerals were to be regarded as placed at the 

 left of the red ones, Avliich is a matter of importance in what follows. 



I shall treat these numbers as progressing from the left to the 

 right, although it is by no means certain that the opposite order 

 should not be adopted. I will, then, designate the serpent on the left 

 as 1, and the following ones as 2, 3, and 4, the black mnnbers by «, 

 and the red ones by b. 



Now, the first question is, what numbers are to be considered in this 

 place. I am gratified to be able to regard seven of these eight num- 

 bers as entirely correct and requiring no conjecture. I shall have to 

 alter only the number 15, that is, the red one in the first serpent, for I 

 assume that a line is wanting in the lowest numeral, and that 8 

 should be read instead of 3, and that the black 1 standing farther 

 below should also serve for the red number, which is written remark- 

 ably large. Accordingly, the figures for these eight numbers are as 

 follow : 



\a lb 2a 26 3a Zb 4a 4b 



15 



10 2 19 



The first thing to be noticed is the similarity of 2& and 45, as also 

 that 1 and 3 resemble each other in this respect that the most familiar 

 deity in the manuscript is represented on the heads of these serpents, 

 while on the heads of 2 and 4 there are two beasts. 



