iHOMAB] INTERPRETATION OF CHARACTERS. 153 



somewhat human in appearance, but which may be intended to denote the 

 quadruped in the figure below ; that the lower right-hand character of the 

 third group, although showing teeth, may be intended as the symbol of the 

 worm-like figure beneath. 



In view of these facts, and also of the additional facts that the right- 

 hand group contains no animal head, nor is there below the figure of any 

 animal, I am inclined to believe that these three heads are but symbols of 

 the animals below them. We also observe that the figures are placed on 

 Caban characters, and that each group of the superscription contains a 

 Cahan character, all doubtless having reference here to the earth or soil. 

 If the figures with the two-colored face denote growing maize, as the 

 attacks of the bird and quadruped indicate, we then have strong reasons 

 for believing that the characters refer to the figures beneath them. I may 

 also add here, what is stated elsewhere, that as a rule animals, persons, and 

 deities, or at least idols, appear to be generally represented among the 

 characters by the head; hence such characters cannot be phonetic. 



A study of the two groups similarly arranged on the right of tlie lower 

 division of Plate IIP satisfies me that they relate to the method of dealing 

 with a swelling on the hand, caused probably by the sting of a bee or some 

 other insect, or the bite of a serpent (observe the serpent's head on the 

 figure below). We see here the figure of a hand in two places, and on 

 each a protuberance or swelling distinctly marked (Fig. 80.) By 

 the side of each is Fig. 8 1 , which ^ ,^a^ 



is probably the hieroglyph for the ^r~= ~' ^ m-^^^ Vo"^ 



Maya words u-mo, "a swelhng of kjg. so. Fig. 8i. Fig. 8^. 



the flesh," or "tumor." The next character in order is the one shown in 

 Fig. 82, which may be interpreted u-cah-poc, "bathe or wash it with honey." 

 The character in the hand of the 

 figure immediately under the in- j ! ? J 

 scription appears to agree with this \Jjl/ 

 interpretation (see Fig. 83): Cab- ^'■«-^^- 

 men (min or mon). 3Iin signifies tliat which diminishes or causes to grow 

 less; mon, the same; and moncab (same as momcab), a cooling or soothing 



