THOMAS 1 EXPLANATION OF FIGURES ON PLATES IIP-IX*. 117 



upper part bears a different mark from the lower. The lower part is marked 

 with the chief characteristics of the symbol for Cauac, which, as heretofore 

 stated, when given in this way appear to signify that the thing upon which 

 they are placed is made of wood. The characters on the upper portion 

 resemble Caban, and here probably signify Cah, "honej^," or Cahnal, "a 

 hive of honey"; but it is proper to warn the reader that in other places, as 

 will hereafter appear, it is used to denote the material of which a seat is 

 made. I think it more than likely that here it refers to the vessel in which 

 the honey is contained I presume this to be the case, because the indi- 

 viduals in the lower division of Plate IX* appear to have lifted the honey 

 out of the vessel which lies at their feet ; and we also see on the arm of the 

 individual at the left of the lower division of Plate V* a figure marked with 

 this same character. As he has a staff in bis right hand he is probably 

 returning from a successful bee-hunt, bearing his prize. 



According to Landa the apiarists held two festivals during the year, 

 one in the fifth month (Tzec), and the other in the eighth month (Mol); 

 that is, in October and December. But according to the red and black 

 numerals in these plates the one refei'red to appears to have been held 

 annually, on the days Cib, Caban and Ezanab, in the 17th month — Kayab — 

 cori'esponding to the first part of June. The female in the lower division 

 of Plate V* is probably Colebil-Xbolon-choch, a goddess supposed to be the 

 patron of the apiarists. 



I would also call attention to the following additional items on these 

 plates which are worthy of notice. 



On Plate III*, upper division, next to the left-hand figure, we notice a 

 kind of cross arising out of the body of a bee. On this cross are parts of 

 a partially obliterated figure, which, upon close inspection, I decide with- 

 out hesitation was that of a bird, reminding us of the bird on the Tablet of 

 the Cross at Palanque and on crosses in several of the Mexican Codices. 

 A foot, the tail, and parts of the wings are yet plainly visible. The right- 

 hand figure of the same division also shows a plant in the form of a cross 

 arising out of the body of a bee. I presume these relate to the requests to 

 the gods for rain to make the jjlants produce flowers for the bees. 



The figure at the right of the middle division of the same plate, which 



