THOMAS.) . USE OF DAY AND NUMERAL CnARACTEES. 15 



Katun included only 20 years, but of 312 if it contained 24 years, as main- 

 tained by Perez. 



We are now prepared to discuss the question presented as to whether 

 the numerals and day characters found so frequently in connection with 

 each other are simply dates, somewhat as Ave find them in our ordinary 

 calendars, or not. The first point to be determined is whether these day 

 characters are used simply to denote days, ov because of the signification 

 of the words, as Brasseur supposed. This, as will be readily perceived, also 

 involves the important question as to whether Landa was cori-ect in his 

 statement, that they were the symbols or characters used to denote days. 



The argument must therefore be somewhat in a circle; hence the evi- 

 dence adduced must be strong to support the position assumed, and must 

 agree in the essential points with the Maya calendar so far as positively 

 determined. 



In order to decide this point we now turn to the manuscript itself 



Referring to Plate X we find that the left-hand column of the middle 

 division (always reading from the top downwards) is composed of the char- 

 acters representing the following Maya days, in the order here given: Oc, 

 Cib, Ik, Lamat, Ix. If we turn to Table V, containing the list of days, and 

 count on either of the four columns of names, from one of these names to 

 the next, we shall find in each case an interval of jiist six days; from Oc to 

 Cib six days; from Cib to Ik six days, and so on. The other column, same 

 plate and division, is composed of the characters for Ahau, Cimi, Eb, Eza- 

 nab, and Kan, with an interval of six days between each two. Turning 

 now to Plate VI, middle division, we find the days in the left-hand column 

 to be Caban, Ik, Manik, Eb, and Caban, with an interval of just five da5's 

 between each two. In the upper division of Plate XVII the interval is 

 twelve days; and the same is true in reference to the other columns on this 

 plate. In the left-hand column of the third division of Plate XXXI the 

 interval is sixteen days. 



Although the interval is generally the same throughout a column, yet 

 there are occasional departures from this rule; for example, on Plate XIII, 

 the left-hand column of the upper division is composed of the characters for 



