THOMAS] THE THIRTEENTH DAY 245 
replaced by the roots of the plant; observe, however, the brush-like 
projections above. Are we to see in this associated death’s-head a 
reference to death, or rather to the earth, a symbolism undoubtedly 
found in the Tro. Codex? Or must we suppose that behind the name is 
to be found the signification of the Meztitlan name itlan, from tlantli, 
“tooth?” Dr Seler remarks that ‘it seems to me quite possible that 
the point surrounded by dots in the character eb is an abbreviation of 
figure 526” (the prefix to our plate LXIv, 48).! 
THE THIRTEENTH DAY 
Maya, ben or been; Tzental, ben; Quiche-Cakchiquel, ah; Zapotec, quii, ii, or laa; 
Nahuatl, acatl. 
The symbol of this day is subject to but few and, with one or two 
exceptions, but slight variations. Landa’s figure is represented at 
LXVI, 16, those usual in the codices in LXv1I, 17, 18,19, and an irregular 
form found in Dres. 10¢ in symbol 20 of the same plate. When used 
in combination with other glyphs and otherwise than as a day symbol, 
the form, though usually typical, is subject occasionally to wide vari- 
ations, though there is considerable doubt whether the latter are to be 
considered ben symbols. 
Dr Seler contends that the figure originated from the plaited reed or 
mat, which, if correct, enables us to trace it by gradations to a wholly 
different figure. But before referring further to these, it is best that 
the signification of the names should be given as determined by lin- 
guistic evidence. 
The Nahuatl name acatl signifies ‘‘ reed,” “cane,” or “stalk;” and, 
according to Ximenes and Brasseur, the Quiche-Cakchiquel ah also 
signifies ‘‘reed,” especially the ‘corustalk” or ‘‘sugar cane.” The 
Zapotec quii has also the same signification, “reed,” and Dr Brinton 
says laa has the same meaning, but Dr Seler says he can not find it 
with this signification in the lexicons, nor do I find it in any to which 
I have access. The Maya and Tzental ben, however, presents a more 
serious difficulty in the attempt to bring it iuto harmony with the others. 
Dr Seler contents himself with reference to certain words which have 
been or ben as their root. This root, he says, signifies consumed,” and 
the words to which he refers mean ‘‘to be consumed,” “to waste away,” 
“to fail, be lacking, go away.” ‘This is also the signification to which 
Dr Brinton refers. ‘I find,” he says, “that in Tzental the dried corn- 
stalk (catia de mais seco) is called cagh-ben, and from this I doubt not 
this day-name in that dialect and the Maya was taken and synco- 
pated. The verb ben or been in Tzental means ‘to walk, to go,’ but in 
the above compound the ben is from the Maya stem benel, ‘to be used 
up, to be dead.’” 
The opinion of Dr Seler, above stated, that the symbol of this day 
originated from the delineation of the plaited reed or mat, is based on 
1 Dr Brinton says it is the face of an old woman with a peculiar pointed earmark. 
