THOMAS] EXPLANATION OF FIGUEES ON PLATES XXIIP-XXVIII*. 123 



always to indicate that the individual is to be sacrificed. Repeated exam- 

 ples may be found in the Mexican Codices. 



On the former there is also the figure of a bird plucking the eye out 

 of one of the slain ; but here, as I think, something more is intended than 

 simply that a vulture is devouring a dead man. The peculiar eye and 

 black body show very clearly that this is the same bird as that on the right 

 in the upper division of Plate XXVIII*. In the latter we see the figures 

 of two birds in deadly conflict. What is the meaning of this picture? I 

 believe it is a kind of pictograph, somewhat similar to those drawn by 

 modern Indians, and that it signifies a battle between two tribes, represented 

 by tliese two birds. The bird with the red circle around the eye denotes 

 that tribe to which the author of the Manuscript belonged, and which, as a 

 matter of course, was victorious. This is shown by the figure on Plate 

 XXVI* previously referred to. As further evidence of this we see the 

 other bird a captive in the hands of the individual at the right hand of the 

 upper division of Plate XXIII*. 



On Plate XXIV* we observe the god of the conquered tribe a captive 

 in the hands of the deity of the victors, and in front of them a soldier run- 

 ning away with captured spoils, and the priest with the captured woman. 

 On Plate XXIII* is the figure of a Chac firing the dwellings of the con- 

 quered village. The last-mentioned figure is the one Brasseur interpreted 

 as signifying the craters of a double volcano. 



The reader is not to understand that I claim that the order in which 

 these figures are mentioned is that in which they should come, nor is it 

 claimed that they denote here a real battle, as it is probable they represent 

 only a kind of play enacted during some festival; yet there is doubtless an 

 allusion to some real battle or war. My principal reason for believing it 

 represents only a play is the significant absence of weapons. 



The following account of the celebration of a Pipil victoiy is taken 

 from Bancrofts Native Baces: 



"When information was received from their war chief that he had 

 gained a victory, the diviner ascertained to which of the gods sacrifice was 

 to be made. If to Quetzalcoatl, the ceremony lasted fifteen days, and upon 

 each day they sacrificed a prisoner. These sacrifices were made as follows: 



