MALLERY.] CATTLE COUNTING. 263 
Upon each of the beveled surfaces on the handle are marks to indi- 
cate the kind of horned cattle referred to. The cross indicates that 
the corner of the stick upon which it is incised relates to heifers, each 
notch designating one head, the long transverse cut denoting ten, with 
an additional three cuts signifying that the herder has in charge thir- 
teen heifers. Upon the next beveled edge appears an arrow-pointed 
mark, to denote in like manner which edge of the stick is to be notched 
for indicating the oxen. Upon the third beveled surface is one trans- 
verse cut for the record of the number of bulls in the herd, while upon 
the fourth bevel of the handle are two notches to note the number of 
cows. 
The stick is notched at the end opposite the handle to signify that 
it refers only to horned cattle. That used to designate horses is sharp- 
ened from two sides only, so that the end is wedge-shaped, or exactly 
Fic. 181.—Notched sticks. 
the reverse of the one first mentioned. The marks upon the handle 
would be the same, however, with this exception—that one cut would 
mean a stallion, two cuts a mare, the cross a gelding, and the arrow- 
shaped figure a colt. Sticks were also marked to denote the several 
kinds of stock and to record those which had been branded. 
Another class of sticks were also used by the overseers, copies of 
which were‘likewise preserved by the laborers and herders, to keep an 
account of the number of days on which labor was performed, and to 
record the sums of money received by the workman. 
The lower character of Fig. 151 represents a stick, upon the beveled 
edge of the handle of which is a cross to denote work. The short 
notches upon the corner of the stick denote days, each seventh day or 
week being designated by a cut extending across the stick. 
Upon the opposite side of the handle is a cirele or a circle with a 
cross within it to denote the number of reals paid, each real being indi- 
cated upon the edge of the stick by a notch, while each ten reals or 
peso is noted by making the cut all the way across that face of the 
stick. 
