_ THOMAS] NUMBER OF CYCLES IN GREAT CYCLE 257 



lower jaw, usuallj' characterizes the face sign for 20" (page 52), and 

 this conclusion is sustained by the evidence we have given above. 

 Goodman's perverseness in contradicting his own evidence in order to 

 maintain his tlieorj- is shown in reference to this sign. It is found 

 almost univei'sally on the cycle face characters, as maj" be seen in his 

 examples on page 25 of his work. It is true that it may be contended, 

 as Goodman in fact does contend, that it signifies that 20 of the next 

 lower order make one of this order. Admit this; it follows that when 

 the same sign is found on the great cj^cle sj'mbol, it signifies that 20 

 of the next lower order (or cycle) make one great cycle. Although 

 but one example of the great cj-cle face sj'mbol has been found, it 

 bears clearly and unmistakably this hand sign, and not only is this 

 not denied by Goodman, but is accepted by him and cojjied as an 

 example of the symbol of this period on page 25 of his work. 



Thus it will be seen that from whatever side we view the evidence 

 bearing on this question, it is against Goodman's theory of only 13 

 cycles to the great cj'cle. However, before closing the discussion of 

 this point I desire to call attention to one other series, found on Stela 

 C of Quirigua, which seems to have a bearing on the qiiestion. This 

 is as follows: 54-13-0-0-0-0, 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu — in other words, 54th 

 great cycle, 13 cj-cles, katuns, ahaus, chuens, days, to 4 Ahau 

 "8 Cumhu, the 13 being the ordinary numei-al sj^mbols, dots and short 

 lines, and very distinct. Goodman's only comment (page 127) is, 

 "This date is the beginning of the 54th great cycle." As 4 Ahau 

 8 Cumhu, is, according to his reckoning, the initial daj^ of the 54th 

 great cycle, the series, according to this explanation, covers no lapse 

 of time whatever. Yet, according to his theory, the numbers in these 

 series always relate to time which has elapsed. Hence the 13 cycles 

 relate to 13 of these so-called periods which have passed and still 

 signify no time whatever. This is a palpable contradiction into 

 which he has been led in his effort to maintain an erroneous theory. 

 If he had written the series "53-13-0-0-0-0 to 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu," it 

 would have been correct so far as the count is concerned. 



Dr Seler in his able article, " Die Monumente von Copan uud Qiii- 

 rigua und die Alter- Flatten von Palenque " (Zeitschrift fur Ethnologic, 

 Heft 6, 1899, pages 670-738), makes some remarks in regard to the 

 series above noticed to which it is desirable to call attention." 



It appears from this article that he follows Goodman in counting 

 13 cycles to the great cj'cle, or 13 units of the 6th order to make one 

 of the sixth (I repeat again that Goodman's terms are used merely 

 for convenience). Moreover, he .seems to look upon these as real 

 time periods. That he, who is so familiar with the subject, has not 



a This article was not received by rue until all this paper, except the last few pages and the 

 notices of it which have been inserted, had been written. As I have seen no reason, because of 

 Seler'8 article, to change anything previously written. I make this statement as due to myself. 



22 ETH^Oi 17 



