MORLEY] INTEODUCTION TO STUDY OF MAYA HIEROGLYPHS 123 



with A3, figure 60; thus showing the existence of a seventh |)erio(l in 

 the inscriptions and a generally accepted sign for it. 



6. The one term higher than the cycle in the Copan text, the two 

 terms higher in the Palenque text, and the three terms higher in this 

 text, are all built on the same basic element, the cycle, thus showing 

 that in each case the higher term or terms is a continuation of the 

 same number, not a Period-ending date, as suggested by Mr. Good- 

 man for the Copan text. 



7. The other two texts, showing series composed of more than five 

 terms, have all their period glyphs in an unbroken sequence in each, 

 like the text under discussion, thus showing that in each of these 

 other two texts all the terms present probably belong to one and 

 the same number. 



8. Finally, the two occurrences of the cycle sign with a coefficient 

 above 13, and the three occurrences of the great-cycle sign with a 

 coefficient above 13, indicate that 20, not 13, was the unit of progres- 

 sion in the higher numbers in the inscriptions just as it was in the 

 codices. 



Before closing the discussion of this unique inscription, there is one 

 other important point in connection mth it which must be considered, 

 because of its possible bearing on the meaning of the Initial-series 

 introducing glyph. 



The first five glyphs on the east side of Stela 10 at Tikal are not 

 illustrated in figure 60. The sixth glyph is Al in figure 60, and 

 the remaining glyphs in this figure carry the text to the bottom of 

 this side of the monument. The first of these five unfigured glyphs 

 is very clearly an Initial-series introducing glyph. Of this there can 

 be no doubt. The second resembles the day 8 Manik, though it is 

 somewhat effaced. The remaining three are unknown. The next 

 glyph, Al, figure 60, is very clearly another Initial-series intro- 

 ducing glyph, having all of the five elements common to that sign. 

 Compare Al with the forms for the Initial series introducing glyph 

 in figure 24. This certainly would seem to indicate that an Initial 

 Series is to follow. Moreover, the fourth glyph of the eight-term 

 number following in A2-A9, inclusive (that is, A5), records ''Cycle 9," 

 the cycle in which practically all Initial-series dates fall. Indeed, if 

 A2, A3, and A4 were omitted and A5, A6, A7, A8, and A9 were 

 recorded immediately after Al, the record would be that of a regular 

 Initial-series number (9. 3. 6. 2. 0). Can this be a matter of chance? 

 If not, what effect can A2, A3, and A4 have on the Initial-series 

 datein Al, A5-A9? 



The writer believes that the only possible effect they could have 

 would be to fix Cycle 9 of Maya chronology in a far more compre- 

 hensive and elaborate chronological conception, a conception which 



