118 A STUDY OF THE MANUSCRIPT TEOANO. 



I take to be the god of death, appears to be in the act of breaking a vessel 

 of earthenware, which, as the presence of the cross-bones indicates, is 

 intended to signify death. The cliaracter between the parts of the broken 

 vessel probably signifies "divided" or separated. 



The figures along the lower margin of the middle division of Plates 

 VII*, VHP, IX*, and X* are chiefly representations of oflferings made to 

 the gods of the bee-keepers, as here we see the leg of a deer, bread, maize, &c. 



The broad rectangular red figures in the middle division of the plates 

 last mentioned, and elsewhere, from which tlie bees are flying, may repre- 

 sent hives which were suspended by cords. If not, I am wholly unable to 

 guess their meaning. 



As I have not been able to group the remaining plates of the Manu- 

 script in a satisfactory manner, I will content mj^self with referring to such 

 figures as I think I can explain, without attempting, except in a few cases, 

 to show their connection with others. 



The females and god of death figured on Plate XI* ajipear to be 

 weaving, or making ropes. The figures themselves indicate this so plainly 

 as to leave no doubt in my mind in reference to it. Moreover, some of the 

 written characters, as I think, correspond with this interpretation. 



It is probable the figures are also symbolic representations of human 

 life. The female figure, I presume, is intended to represent the goddess 

 Ixchel, who, in addition to her other j^owers or attributes, was supposed to 

 preside over the formation and birth of infants. The interlaced or cross- 

 hatched bundle before her accords with this idea, if my interpretation of this 

 reticulate figure be correct — that is, that it signifies ^i¥ or zihil, "birth" or 

 "origin." 



The presence of the god of death so close at hand and the death sym- 

 bol before him in the second division, and twice in the lower division, are 

 doubtless intended to signify the uncertainty of human life. The Ezanab 

 character on the head of this god in this place — as this is not usual — must 



' lu writing Maya words I follow the ortbograj)liy of the lexicons, but in referring to the signifi- 

 cation am guided by what I suppose to have been the sound — for example, tz, z, and in some cases ch 

 appear to be used to denote the same sound, or at least are the ruling elements of similar words having 

 similar signification. As a matter of course the natives could make the distiuctious iu their pronuncia- 

 tion. I may also as well state here that I make no claim to a knowledge of the Maya language. I 

 simply refer to the lexicons and grammar for such use as I desire to make of it in this paper. 



