MORLEY] INTRODUCTION TO STUDY OF MAYA HIEROGLYPHS 



69 



order (see Table VIII). The normal form of the katun glyph is 

 shown m figure 27, a-d. It is composed of the normal form of the tun 

 sign (fig. 29, a, h) surmounted by the pair of comb- 

 like appendages, which we have elsewhere seen meant 

 20, and which were probably derived from the repre- 

 sentation of a fish. The whole glyph thus graph- 

 ically portrays the concept 20 tuns, which accorduig 

 to Table YIII is equal to 1 katun. The normal 

 form of the katun glyph in the codices (fig. 27, c, d) 

 is identical with the normal form in the inscriptions 

 (fig. 27, a, h) . Several head variants are found. The 

 most easily recognized, though not the most com- 

 mon, is shown in figure 27, e, in which the superfix 

 is the same as in the normal form; that is, the ele- 

 ©©D ^^^^^ (f)' which probably signifies 20 in this connection. To 

 t be logical, therefore, the head element should be the same 

 as the head variant of the tun glyph, but this is not the case (see fig. 

 29, e-h). When this superfix is present, the identification of the head 

 variant of the katun glyph is an easy matter, but when it is absent 



Fig. 26. FuU-figure 

 variajit of cycle sign. 



e f g h 



Fig. 27. Signs for the katun: a-d, Normal forms; e-h, head variants. 



it is difficult to fix on any essential characteristic. The general 

 shape of the head is fike the head variant of the cycle glyph. Perhaps 

 the oval (**) in the top of the head m figure 27, f-h, and ^^ ^^ 

 the small curUng fang (f f) represented as protruding from ** tt 

 the back part of the mouth are as constant as any of the other 

 elements. The head of the full-figure variant in figure 28 presents 

 the same lack of essential characteristics as the head variant, though 

 in this form the small curling fang is also found. Again, the body 

 attached to this head is that of a bird which has been identified as 

 an eagle. 



