86 A STUDY OF THE MANUSCRIPT TROANO. 



If they refer to the cycle, then each coil will denote two Indications, a 

 supposition with which the pyramid of four steps on Plate XXII (to which 

 I will presently allude) agrees very well. A fact worthy of notice in this 

 connection is that, proceeding with the pages in the order I have adopted, 

 we find on XXIII, where Cauac is the ruling day, the two coils are com- 

 plete; on the lower or closing division of XXII, Avhere Kan is the ruling 

 day, one coil is partially withdrawn; on XXI, where Muluc is the day, 

 there is but one coil; and on XX, where Ix — the year with which the cycle 

 closes — is referred to, there is none. 



The most serious objection to this theory is that if any allusion to the 

 Indications were intended there should be four coils instead of two, as there 

 are four of these periods in a cycle. But the serpent may be used here only 

 as the symbol of the cycle and the coils may have no particular significa- 

 tion; still I think they do have, as there are two to each on the Codex 

 plates, and that they denote the two halves of the cycle. Landa mentions 

 the fact that the two halves of the Ahau were specially noted by the Indians. 



It is possible that on the Codex each serpent represents the series of 

 years of one dominical day included in one cycle; that is to say, one 

 column of a cycle as given in the previous tables. I have been led to make 

 this suggestion from what I find on Plate 43 of the Borgian Codex. 



Here we see four serpents,^ coiled so as to form the sides of a square, 

 and the four squares brought together so as to bring the heads to the center. 

 On the body of each is a sei'ies of circles representing as I believe years; 

 counting the small subcaudal one, there are exactly thirteen on each ser- 

 pent. 



Each of these serpent figures may represent an Indication, but the 

 figure and the day signs in the spaces and the order in which they stand 

 incline me to believe that they relate to the series under the respective 

 dominical days. The five day signs in the spaces are doubtless the five 

 added days — this can, I presume, easily be determined ; but as I have not 

 entered upon the study of the Mexican Calendar, and have not the proper 

 works at hand for this purpose, I leave this for others to decide. In the 

 upper right-hand square the inclosed figure is black, reminding us of the 



' These are really monsters, as tliey are reiireseutcd Tvitli anterior limbs. 



