THOMAS) NUMBER OF CYCLES IN GREAT CYCLE 237 



fleu rodex, the initial dates j^iven will probably suffice for all require- 

 ments. But this supposition rests ou the theory that the range 

 counting by great cycles, is not more than 14 from 4 Ahau y Cumhu. 

 Our numbering (left column) is, of course, purely arbitrary, given 

 merely for convenience of reference, the great cj'cles being, on the 

 theorj- I have presented, in precisely the same relation to the next 

 higher order of ixnits — provided the Maj'an count extended so far — as 

 the cycles to the great cycles, the katuus to the cycles, etc. In other 

 words, when, in counting, 20 cycles are completed, one great cycle is 

 completed and the count passes into the 2nd; and when this is com- 

 pleted we pass into the 3rd, etc., in jpreciseh' the same manner that 

 we pass in our decimal system from one decimal to the next higher. 



Our next step is to test the theorj^ advanced by appeal to the high 

 series which reach to the great cycles, beginning with those of the 

 Dresden codex. The.se are found on plates LXI, LXII, and LXix. As 

 the determination of the point in question is of vital importance, the 

 details of the demonstration will be given somewhat fully. 



Taking first plate LXii of the codex (our plate Lxxix), we observe 

 four numeral series i-unning upward in the folds of two serpent 

 figures, two of these series being in black numerals of the ordinary 

 form, and two in red, also of the ordinary form. The two series in 

 the left serpent (one black and the other red) are as follows reading 

 from the top down: 



Red .._ 4-6-11-10-:- 2. 3 Cimi 14 Kayali 



Black 4-6- 7-12-4-10. 3 Ix T Pax (?) 



That is to say, the i-ed series is 4 great cycles, G cj^cles, 11 katuns, 

 10 ahaus, 7 chuens, 2 days, to .3 Cimi 14 Kayab. The symbols of the 

 dates as we give them are seemingly i-eversed as compared with their 

 positions on the plate, but the zigzag order of the series must be borne 

 in mind. The sj'mbol of the month Pax is somewhat unusual. 



The red .series changed into days is as follows: 



Days 

 4 great cycles (of 20 cycles each) 11, .530, 000 



6 cycles 864. 000 



11 katuns ., 79.200 



10 ahaus : 3, 600 



7 chuens 140 



3 days 3 



Total aniouut 13. 466. 943 



Subtract 655 calendar rounds 12, 450, 880 



Remainder 16, 062 



Using this remaintler and counting forward from Kan 12 Kayab 

 (year 3 Ben) — the date standing over the head of the figure seated on 

 the serpent — we reach 3 Cimi 14 Kayab, year 8 Ben, the date standing 

 below. 



We have positive evidence, therefore, that in this instance Kau 



