HOUSE SYMBOLS. 



129 



thread-like lines (yellow in the original) the straw or grass with which the 

 roof was thatched. 



The checkered part may represent a matting of reeds or brushwood, 

 on which the straw was placed. 



The following extract from Landa will give an idea of the form and 

 structure of the ordinary dwellings of the people as seen by him: 



"habitations of the MAYAS. 



"The manner of building the houses in Yucatan was to cover them 

 with straw, which they had in abundance and of good quality, or with 

 leaves of the palm trees, well suited to this pur- 

 pose. Thy raised the roof, giving it a consider- 

 able pitch, in such a manner that the rain could 

 not penetrate it. A wall was then erected in 



the center, dividing the 



house lengthwise, leaving 



in this wall some doors 



for communicating with jj^ 



the part which was called 



the back of the house, 



where they had their 

 beds; the other part was carefully whitewashed with lime. In the houses of 

 the nobles these walls were covered with pleasant pictures. It was in this 

 part that they received and lodged their guests. 



"This side had no doors, but was open the whole length of the house, 

 the roof descending very low, in order that it might be a shelter from the 

 sun and rain. It is also said that this was to render himself master of the 

 enemy inside^ in time of necessity. 



"The common people built at their expense the houses of the nobles, 

 and as they had no dooi's it was regarded as a grave fault to make the least 

 error in the houses of others. 



"They had formerly at the back a small door for the use of tlie com- 

 mon people. 



'The passage is very difficult am! the rendering doubtful. 



1) M T 



