XXX ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 



NOTES ON CERTAIN MA YA AND MEXICAN MANUSCRIPTS, 

 BY CYRUS THOMAS. 



In this paper Professor Thomas continues his study of the 

 symbols and calendar systems of Central America. His at- 

 tention is chiefly directed to two remarkable leaves, together 

 constituting one plate, of the Maya Manuscript known as the 

 Coclex Cortesianus, which is considered to furnish a connecting 

 link between the Maya and the Mexican symbols and calen- 

 dars. This is compared with the Mexican plate No. 43 of the 

 Borgian Codex, and with plate No. 44 of the Fejervary Coclex, 

 believed to be a Tezcucan Manuscript. Illustrations and cpio- 

 tations from a variety of sources are also furnished. 



The study of the graphic systems of Mexico and Central 

 America is important for comparison with the origin of writing 

 in the Eastern Hemisphere. The evidence at this time is to 

 the effect that these systems had entered into a transition stage 

 from a simple pictography, in which not merely the idea was 

 presented, but the sound to express the idea in spoken lan- 

 guage began to be figured. Proper matei'ials for this study 

 have only recently been obtained and are still meager both in 

 quantity and in determinative value. Professor Thomas has 

 properly considered that the calendar and religious observ- 

 ances were the great and absorbing topics of those persons of 

 the Nahuatlan tribes who were concerned in their graphic 

 systems, and those topics as presented in their paintings and 

 sculptures, rather than imperfect traditions handed down 

 through old Spanish authors, may be expected to indicate the 

 true explanation. 



The views taken in the paper regarding the plates discussed 

 lead the author to make the following deductions : 



First. That the order in which the groups and characters are 

 to be read is around to the left, opposite the course of the sun, 

 a point of vital importance, formerly much disputed. 



Second. The confirmation of a former generally received 

 supposition that the cross was used among these nations as a 

 symbol of the cardinal points. 



Third. That the bird figures were used to denote the Avinds. 



