100 A STUDY OF THE MANUSCRIPT TROANO. 



Plate XIV — the middle and lower divisions of which are reproduced in 

 Fig. 1 16 — I take to be a ritual relating to the hunters' festivals. In the upper 

 division we see two persons dressed as Chacs, and bearing the emblems of 

 the festival to the temple or appointed place. The middle and lower divis- 

 ions contain entire transverse lines of the same character repeated. If we 

 take them in columns, instead of transversely, we will find that they differ 

 fi-om each other only in the top and bottom characters and the numerals. 

 As an example, I refer to the third column from the left of the middle divis- 

 ion (omitting from the count the usual day column at the left). The char- 

 acter at the top is the one already interpreted as signifying "the east"; three 

 of the other columns have each one of the cardinal points, the rest of the 

 characters being the same in each column and in the same order except the 

 numeral and the character below it. The same is true in reference to tho 

 lower division. As these appear to designate mere repetitions, either of 

 actions or words, varied slightly as to direction or number, I conclude that, 

 taken together, they form a ritual for the ceremonies that relate to the chase. 



Plates XV-XIX appear to represent tokens of hunting scenes and the 

 ceremonies of the hunters' festival. In the upper division of XVII, XVIII, 

 and XIX we see the hunters returning from tlie chase, some bearing their 

 o-ame, others their weapons, and others flowers in token of success. 



On Plates XV and XVII we see some of the game left behind for the 

 vultures, which are devouring it. The middle division of XVI and XVII 

 relate to the same subject ; the left figure in the latter is represented as being 

 bitten by a rattlesnake, one of the dangers to which they are subject while 

 pursuing their calling. The figures at the right of the upper division of the 

 same plate represent a master punishing his slave or follower ; the differ- 

 ence in the belt anklets and dress showing the difference in condition. 



It is more than probable that these figures are to a certain extent cabal- 

 istic and also that it is a part of the ceremonies of the festival to represent 

 these incidents of the hunter's profession. 



The large figure in the middle division of Plate XV I presume repre- 

 sents an idol, made for the occasion, in the form of a deer. If so, we see 

 here a strong indication of phallic worship. 



