LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL V 



chronologic skeleton of Maya history; it remains to work out the 

 more intimate details which alone can make it a vital force. 



The published writings on the subject of the Maya hieroglyphs have 

 become so voluminous, and are so widely scattered and inaccessible, 

 that it is difficult for students of Central American archeology to 

 become familiar with what has been accomplished in this important 

 field of investigation. In the present memoir Mr. Morley, who has 

 devoted a number of years to the study of Maya archeology, and 

 especially to the hieroglyphs, summarizes the results of these re- 

 searches to the present time, and it is believed that this Introduction 

 to the Study of the Maya Hieroglyphs will be the means of enabling 

 ready and closer acquaintance with this interesting though intricate 

 subject. 



Very respectfuUy, 



F. W. Hodge, 

 Ethnologist-in- Ch a rge . 

 Dr. Charles D. Walcott, 



Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 



Washington, D. C. 



