110 A STUDY OF THE MANUSCRIPT TROANO. 



the act of watering the parched and dying maize plants. The Kan char- 

 acter here bears a sprout, or plant, which appears to be drooping and dying. 

 Although tlie figure holding the jar is Tlaloc, I think this represents artificial 

 watering, and not rain. 



Plates XXXII and XXXIII appear to relate principally to the cultiva- 

 tion of cacao, cotton, and some climbing plant, and to severe drought. 



The figures in the upper division I think relate to the cultivation of the 

 cacao, either to the festival held specially by the planters, as described by 

 Landa,^ the particular part taken by them in the festival held to induce the 

 gods to give them rain, or some incident in the process of cviltivation. 



Landa, in his description of their special festival in the month Muan, 

 states that "they gave to each of the officers a branch with the fruit of the 

 cacao." This is doubtless represented by the figures holding branches in 

 their hands. 



The figures in the second division of these two plates represent two 

 difi"erent plants — one evidently a vine supported by a stake, just as grape 

 vines are now supported, on which hang what appear to be pods, possibly 

 beans of some kind. The other plant has a fruit represented by a little 

 circle surrounded by a ring of dots, possibly cotton. 



In the third division of these plates there are figures of fox-like ani- 

 mals bearing torches and leaping over a sleeping Zamna figure and an 

 incense-burner. In the place of the eye is a character resembling that for 

 C or Chuen. It is possible that it here stands for the Maya word chocou, 

 "hot," or chocoual, "heat," and that the animal with the torches is a symbol 

 of the scorching, burning heat of the sun." Tliis idea agrees very well 

 with what we see in the division above (second). The figures here appear 

 to represent cultivated vines, which are parched and dying from the effect 

 of heat and drought. The Tlaloc head at the foot of one of tliese shows 

 that they are also to some extent symbolic. 



The third and fourth divisions of Plates XXXIV and XXXV evidently 

 relate to painting the vessels, &c., alluded to by Landa, where he says that 



' See Appendix No. 3. 



-I call attention here to Landa's statement, heretofore quoted, in reference to the calamities to 

 be expected iu the Ix years, especially severe droughts. Also to the fact that an image of Zamna is 

 introduced in the festival. 



