INTERPRETATION OF CHARACTERS. 



149 



Referring to Plate XXIIP, we find in the middle compartment of the 

 upper division the figure and characters represented in Fig. 71. 



The lower line of the inscription over the 

 figure consists of three characters, which I interpret 

 as follows: 



Chehsic u cahal: "Consumes (or destroys) his 

 (or the) dwelling." 



The eye and snout in the left-hand character, 

 translated "consumes," I pi-esume imply that this is 

 done by the Chac. The parts of this compound char- 

 acter are taken in the same order as the others here- 

 tofore interpreted; that is, from right to left; those of 

 the third, translated '■'dwelling,'''' from below upwards. 



It is possible that the left-hand character should ^'*^- ''^• 



be rendered zatzic, which has the same signification as cliehzic, and also 

 has the two hissing sounds, indicated by the interlaced portion. 



If I am correct in my rendering of the right-hand character, it will 

 probably enable us to determine this one (Fig. 72), which is often used in 

 the Manuscript. I suggest okoltha, " prayer," and, with the nu- 

 meral, "three prayers." But it is possible that the true render- J 

 ing is ocol which, according to Perez, signifies, when joined to • 

 a number, the course or order, as of priesthood. fig- 72. 



Adopting these suggestions, we would translate the characters in the 

 upper right-hand corner of the middle division, Plate 

 VII% Fig. 73, thus: 



a. b. c. d. 



5 ppecuah okoltba hau (?) 



"Five tortillas of maize, three prayers, the leg of a 

 deer, ?", or, "Five tortillas of maize, the third priest 

 (or priest of the third order?), the leg of a deer." I 

 prefer the first rendering, as the character marked b frequently occurs 

 without the numeral where the second interpretation would not apply. 



Fig. 74, which is precisely like that for Caban as usually given in 

 the Manuscript, is found on several plates and also frequently in the 



