THOMAS] FIGUEES ON PLATES III-VIT. 95 



by turning to the middle division of Plate III, the same person, although 

 still represented as standing, a headless trunk and covered with blood, while 

 in close proximity is the fatal machete. 



Above the bound figure we find the character heretofore given, which 

 we have supposed may be the symbol for 01, or "heart," and, if so, tends 

 to confirm the idea indicated in what has been said concerning these figures. 

 Be this as it may, we have here, undoubtedly, indications of human sacri- 

 fice. The mode indicated may not be exactly what we may have been led 

 to expect from what has been stated by the old authors, but this does not 

 necessarily prove our interpretation wrong. It is a significant fact that on 

 the third page of the Dresden Codex we see human sacrifice distinctly 

 shown. Thus it appears that each of these manuscripts bears the evidence 

 of this horrible custom. 



As bearing upon my interpretation of these characters, I call attention 

 to the fact that they are also found on Plate 3 of the Codex, in connection 

 with the figure denoting human sacrifice. 



The white left-hand figure in the third division (PI. Ill), holding in his 

 right hand the symbol of cu or Cauac, and in his left a spear head, represents, 



as I judge from the markings and this accompanying character, 



of the gods of death or underworld. 



Plates III to VII, taken together, appear to represent among other 

 things a journey of some kind, probably the journeyings of traveling mer- 

 chants or peddlers. This is indicated by the marks of footsteps and by the 

 figures of individuals with staves in their hands and packs on their backs, 

 which are bound with cords. 



The two individuals in the upper division of Plate VI appear to be 

 in the act of producing fire by whirling a stick between the hands with the 

 point pressed on a piece of wood, as was the custom. 



The figure in the lower division of this plate is interesting chiefly 

 on account of the peculiar head-dress of the large central figure. This, 

 which is shown in the annexed cut (Fig. 13), represents a couch or seat 

 in the form of a double-headed animal, on which is placed the head of 

 a deer. This bears such a striking resemblance to the double-headed 



