THOMAsi THE PALENQUE TABLET. 205 



Other. We shall also find that the same thing is true in reference to one of 

 the months. I am in great doubt as to the character rendered Manik, 

 which here resembles the Greek tau. S 14 is probably the symbol of 

 Lamat. 



One singular fact to be noticed is that the form of the Kan symbol — 

 for example, U 17, as given in Dr. Rau's photograph — is more like Landa's 

 figure than the Kan symbol in the Tro Manuscript. 



As I find no month characters in the Manuscript to assist me in judg- 

 ing of the variations in form, and as I have not thoroughly studied those 

 in the Codex, I feel greater uncertainty as to those found on the Tablet 

 than I do in regard to the day characters. Pax seems to be the month 

 oftenest represented ; in fact, but few others appear to be indicated. The 

 following characters I think represent this month: 



C 14, F 5, R 3, T 12, U 14, V 3, V 8, W 7, X 1, and X 15. 



The following are also probably month symbols : 

 F 1, L9, T4, U 1, V17, W 11. 



I am satisfied from the presence of numerals that there are other day 

 and month symbols than those mentioned, but on account of my doubt as 

 to which class they belong will not attempt now to decide. 



If the reader will examine carefully the character V 14, especially on 

 Dr. Rau's photograph, he will see that it is almost identical with that in the 

 Manuscript I have rendered |)ecMa/i "tortilla of maize" (see Fig. 64). 



Comparing this with the large initial, we find but a slight difierence 

 between the two; in the latter the comb-like figures are drawn down to the 

 sides and the loops are placed above. In this the form of the central oval 

 is not to be relied upon as strictly correct, as the lines are too freely 

 rounded; still we presume it is slightly different from the little upper circle 

 in V 14. Supposing the Maya language to have been used, and the char- 

 acters on the Tablet to have the same signification as similar characters in 

 the Manuscript, we should find in this initial sounds closely resembling 

 those in pecuah ; as the bars are interlaced, I presume the first syllable should 

 he peck or pack Turning to Landa's Relacion (264), we find that "In the 

 month Pax they [the Mayas] celebrated a festival named Pacumchac, on which 

 occasion the chiefs and priests of the inferior villages assembling with those of 



