134 



A STUDY OF THE MANUSCRIPT TROANO. 



whole is intended as a symbolic representation of death cutting the thread 

 of human life. 



On Plate XIX*, and elsewhere, the figures on which the individuals 

 are seated are marked as shown in our Fig. 89". According to Brasseur's 

 inter[)retation these signify "mats." In this I 

 think he is undoubtedly correct. He asserts that 

 Fig. 39'' also denotes a mat, but this I think 

 doubtful, as I find it on cords, or ropes, and on 

 the roofs of houses; possildy in the latter case 

 it may represent a kind of matting. 

 Fig. 40. Prisoners are usually represented here, as fig. 41. 



in the Mexican Codices, with their long hair in the grasp of their captors 

 or executioners. 



Fig. 40, found on Plate XXV*, probably shows the form either of 

 the bat used in playing ball or of a fan. Fig. ^,,,,^ 

 41, copied from Plate XX*, undoubtedly repre- ti^^^^yTT^ 

 sents one of their bird-cages, as in it, in the fig. 43. 



original, there is a captive bird. The opening appears to have 

 been at the bottom. To the top were attached cords, by which 

 Fig. 4a. to carry it. 



Fig. 42, found on Plate XXXII*, and elsewhere, I think ^^^ItiiT-Y-Y — v 

 represents a block of wood to be used in the manufacture of *— ^i^-tiCiJ 

 an idol or some temple implement. Fig. 4.5. 



Fig. 43, found frequently in the Manuscript, is doubtless the leaf 

 of the mimosa or some similar plant. Fig. 44 — see 

 Plate XXIX* — may possibly repre- 

 sent a kind of tapestry or curtain 

 hung over tlie doors . or openings of \V. 

 the interior rooms of the temples. '•" 

 The interlacing and the square notches 

 at the bottom show that it is some 

 kind of cloth. 



Fig. 45, found so frequently on 

 the heads of individuals, I think, as heretofore intimated, is a time symbol 



