122 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bill. 57 



But this same hand in the superfix of the great-g:reat cycle increased 

 the cycle sign 400 times (20x20; see A3, %. 60). Therefore we 

 must assume the same condition obtains here. And finally, since the 

 eighth term =20x20x20xcycle, we must recognize in the second 

 ^^ element of the superfix (*) a sign which means 20. 



* A close study of this element shows that it has two impor- 

 tant pomts of resemblance to the superfix of the great-cycle glyph 

 (see A4, fig. 60), which was sho%vn to have the value 20: (1) Both ele- 

 ments have the same outline, roughly semicircular; (2) both elements 

 have the same chain of dots around their edges. 



Compare this element in A2, figure 60, with the superfix es in figure 

 61, a, h, bearing in mind that there is more than 275 years' differ- 

 ence in time between the carving of A2, figure 60, and a, figure 61, 

 and more than 200 years between the former and figure 61, h. The 

 writer believes both are variants of the same element, and conse- 

 quently A2, figure 60, is probably composed of elements which signify 

 20x400 (20 X 20) X the cycle, which equals one great-great-great 

 cycle, or term of the eighth place. 



Thus on the basis of the glyphs themselves it seems possible to 

 show that all belong to one and the same numerical series, which 

 progresses according to the terms of a vigesimal system of numera- 

 tion. 



The several points supporting this conclusion may be summarized 

 as follows: 



1 . The eight periods * in figure 60 are consecutive, their sequence 

 being uninterrupted throughout. Consequently it seems probable 

 that all belong to one and the same number. 



2. It has been shown that the highest three period glyphs are com- 

 posed of elements which multiply the cycle sign by 20, 400, and 

 8,000, respectively, which has to be the case if they are the sixth, 

 seventh, and eighth terms, respectively, of the Maya vigesimal system 

 of numeration. 



3. The highest three glyphs have numerical coefficients, just like 

 the five lower ones; this tends to show that all eight are terms of 

 the same numerical series. 



4. In the two texts which alone can furnish comparative data for 

 this sixth term, the sixth-period glyph in each is identical with A4, 

 figure 60, thus showing the existence of a sixth period in the inscrip- 

 tions and a generally - accepted sign for it. 



5. In the only other text which can furnish comparative data for 

 the seventh term, the period glyph in its seventh place is identical 



' The lowest period, the kin, is missing. See .\9, fig. 60. 



2 The use of the word "generally " seems reasonable here; these three texts come from widely sepa- 

 rated centers— Copan in the extreme southeast, J'alenque in tlie extreme west, and Tikal in the central 

 part of the area. 



