MORLEY] INTRODUCTION TO STUDY OF MAYA HIEROGLYPHS 137 



In the codices, moreover, when the count is backward, or contrary 

 to the general practice, the fact is clearly indicated * by a special char- 

 acter. This character, although attached only to the lowest term ^ 

 of the number which is to be counted backward, is to be interpreted 

 as applying to all the other terms as well, its effect extending to the 

 number as a whole. This "backward sign" (shown in fig. 64) is a 

 circle drawn in red around the lowest term of the number which it 

 affects, and is surmounted by a knot of the same color. An example 

 covering the use of this sign is given in figure 64. Although the 

 "backward sign" in this figure surrounds only the 

 numeral in the first place, 0, it is to be interpreted, as ^^^^^ 

 we have seen, as applying to the 2 in the second place 

 and the 6 in the third place. This number, expressed ^ ^ 

 as 6 tuns, 2 uinals, and kins, reduces to 2,200 units 

 of the first place, and in this form may be more readily 

 handled (first step). Since the starting point usually 

 precedes the number counted from it and since in figure 

 64 the number is expressed by the second method, its 

 starting point will be found standing below it. This ^^^ ^^^ pjg^j.^ 

 follows from the fact that in numeration by position showing the 

 the order is from bottom to top. Therefore the start- nus-^of-bS- 

 ing point from which the 2,200 recorded in figure 64 is ward" sign in 

 counted will be found to be below it, that is, the date the codices. 

 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu^ (second step). Finally, the red circle and knot 

 surrounding the lowest (0) term of this 2,200 indicates that this 

 number is to be counted hachvard from its starting point, not 

 forward (third step). 



On the other hand, in the inscriptions no special character seems 

 to have been used with a number to indicate that it was to be counted 

 backward; at least no such sign has yet been discovered. In the 

 inscriptions, therefore, with the single exception * mentioned below, 

 the student can only apply the general rule given on page 136, that 

 in the great majority of cases the count is forward. This rule will be 

 found to apply to at least nine out of every ten numbers. The excep- 

 tion above noted, that is, where the practice is so uniform as to render 

 possible the formulation of an unfailing rule, has to do with Initial 

 Series. This rule, to which there are no known exceptions, may be 

 stated as follows: 



Rule 1. In Initial Series the count is always forward , and, in general 

 throughout the inscriptions. The very few cases in which the count 

 is backward, are confined chiefly to Secondary Series, and it is in 



1 Professor Forstemann has pointed out a few cases in the Dresden Codex in which, although the count 

 is backward, the special character indicating the fact is wanting (fig. 64). (See Bulletin 28, p. 401.) 



2 There are a few cases in which the "backward sign" includes also the numeral in the second position. 

 » In the text wherein this number is found the date 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu stands below the lowest term. 



* It should be noted here that in the u kahlay katunob also, from the Books of Chilan Balam, the count is 

 always forward. 



