94 A STUDY OF THE MANUSCRIPT TEOA^irO. 



the first part of tlie compound character to be simply a prefix or a particle, 

 the chief character may indicate the Maya word Le, signifying "a cord," "a 

 lasso," or cord with a slip knot. I find the same character over the middle 

 figure of the second division of this plate (II), also, slightly varied, over 

 the left figure of the first division of Plate III. In each case we see the 

 cord and also the indications of sacrifice. The same character is also found 

 immediately above the open breast of the sacrificed individual on Plate 3 

 of the Dresden Codex, but in this case we also see cords around the hands 

 and feet. 



In the right-hand compartment of the upper division is a squatting 

 hiiman figure in black on a blue ground, doubtless representing some deity. 

 He has a fiery red mouth and a very prominent nose, and is holding by the 

 hand a cord, which passes round a character at his feet, probably represent- 

 ing a peddler's pack. On his head he bears an interlaced or cross-hatched 

 figure as a head-dress. This figure I think represents the ancient divinity 

 Chicchac-Chah or CJdchac-Choh} The cross-hatched character on the head 

 appears to be used to indicate the sound izi, zi, or cJii, and is probably 

 placed here to denote this deity. Similar figures are found in various parts of 

 of the Manuscript, as, for example, on Plates IV, V, VI, VII, XIX, XVIP, 

 XVIII*, XXIP, XXIII*, XXV*, XXIX*, XXX*, XXXI*, and XXXII*. 



There appear, in fact, to be two different personages represented by 

 these figures, as may be seen by reference to the upper division of Plate 

 VI, where the two are brought face to face. The only difference observable 

 is in the form of the eye. According to Landa, the Indians, during the 

 festival of the Cauac years, made four idols named Chicchac-choh, Ekbalam- 

 chac, Ahcan-Volcah, and Ahhuluc-Balam ; the first of which is doubtless one 

 of those referred to. It is also possible that some of the figures on this 

 group of plates refer to others of these four deities. 



In the middle division of this plate (II) is a stooping human figure, 

 with his arms bound behind his back with a cord, and a kind of yoke on 

 the back of his head The edge of a machete is descending upon his neck 

 as if to sever his head from his body. That this figure is intended to show 

 that the individual is about to be slain can scarcely be doubted, as we see, 



' I am aware that Ekehuah was the merchaut's patron. 



