52 MAYA AND MEXICAN MANUSCRIPTS. 



to the South. He also says that tbe counting of the years began with 

 1 Cane. 4 



Turning now to Plate 44 of tbe Fejervary Codex (our Plate III), we 

 notice that the symbols of the days of the first column are wedged in 

 between the loops of the upper left-hand corner, and that here we also 

 find the symbol of the year-bearer, Acatl, in the red circle at the outer 

 extremity of the loop. Here, then, according to the expounder of the 

 Vatican Codex, is the east, and this agrees also with all the other au- 

 thorities except Boturini. As these day symbols are between the red 

 and yellow loops, the next point to be determined is to which of the 

 two they belong. 



This is a very important point, the determination of which must have 

 a strong bearing on our decision as to the cardinal points. As it is here 

 that the apparently strongest evidence against my conclusion is to be 

 found, it is necessary that I explain somewhat fully my reasons for de- 

 ciding against this apparent evidence. 



If we take for granted that the day columns relate to the large an- 

 gular loops, then the column in the upper right-hand corner would seem 

 to belong to the top or red loop and not to the one on the right ; and 

 the column in the upper left-hand corner to the left or yellow loop and 

 not to that at the top, and so on. This I concede is a natural inference 

 which it is necessary to outweigh by stronger evidence. 



In the first place it is necessary to bear in mind that although the 

 sides of the plate, that is to say the large loops, are spoken of as facing 

 the cardinal points, yet it is possible the artist intended that the corner 

 or round loops should indicate the cardinal points, as here are found the 

 days assigned to these quarters. 



Even admitting that the large angular loops indicate the cardinal 

 points, we must suppose the figures of one corner, either those at the 

 right or left, belong respectively to them. As the symbols of the year- 

 bearers Acatl, Tecpatl, Calli, and Tochtli have peculiar marks of dis- 

 tinction, we are justified in believing that this distinction is for the 

 purpose of signifying the quarter to which they belong. Examining 

 carefully the bird on the symbol for Acatl in the upper left-hand corner 

 loop, we find that it can be identified only with that on the tree in the 

 top or red angular loop. It is true the identification in the other cases 

 is not so certain, but in this case there can be very little doubt, as the 

 green topknot, the peculiar beak, and green feathers are sufficient of 

 themselves to connect the upper left-hand white loop and figures of 

 this corner with the top red loop and figures embraced in it. 



Studying the plate carefully and also our scheme of it — Fig. 6 — we 

 observe that Cipactli is fouud at the right base of the red loop, Miquitzli 

 at the right base of the yellow loop (the center of the plate being con- 

 sidered the point of observation), Ozomatli at the right base of the blue 



' See also Chavero's statement to the same purpose, Anales Mus. Mex., torn. 11, 

 entrag. 4, p. 244. 



