EXPLANATION OF THE BLACK NUMEBALS. 21 



If we turn to our condensed calendar, Table V, we see that these three 

 days follow each other as shown here, and by examining the different 

 columns we can find all the numbers here given. This fact, together with 

 .the method of numbering, is sufficient of itself to establish the correctness 

 of the opinion I have advanced in reference to these red numerals. 



That they are here used to number the days is evident from the fact 

 that they are applied to those days which are never used to name the years. 

 From what has been shown in reference to Plates XX-XXIII (our Plates 

 I, II, III, and IV) we see that they are also used to denote the years of the 

 week or "Indication." 



The next point to be determined is the use of the black numerals. Here 

 we shall find the task more difiicult, but it is necessary to determine this 

 before we can proceed in our effort to fix the dates, which are given in great 

 numbers in the Manuscript, and by nieans of which we hope to settle the 

 disputed points in regard to the calendar. 



I shall at present omit any reference to the "title-page," which, as 

 I have said, is peculiar, and cannot therefore be used in the present inves- 

 tigation. As we find repeatedly throughout the work black numeral char- 

 acters denoting 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, it i's evident they do not refer to the 

 days or years of the week. They must therefore be used to denote the 

 numbers of the months, or of the days of the months. That they are not 

 used to number the Ahaues or the years of these periods is evident from the 

 fact that these are always numbered by the thirteen series, or, in other 

 words, never have applied to them any number exceeding 13; the years 

 are also designated by the four days Cauac, Kan, Mulue, and Ix. 



But in order that the reader may see clearly the difficulty of deciding 

 this point satisfactorily it will be necessary for me to illustrate it by exam- 

 ples from the Manuscript. 



As before mentioned, the day characters are nearly always in columns — 



