718 CENTRAL AMERICAN HIEROGLYPHIC WRITINC4. 



The column at the left side of the lowest division consists of the symbols 

 of 5 days, which form the basis from which the count by the ])lack and 

 red numerals is made. The day columns for the two upper divisions 

 are in a preceding- plate, the line of numerals running- through more 

 than one plate. 



The two lines of black g'l.yphs running across the upper part of each 

 division forms what may be termed the "text." These are read in this 

 instance by groups of four, considering them two short columns, as 

 those over the bird and personage in blue at the left side of the middle 

 division, the order being the same as «, 5, <?, d in the diagram, fig. 1. 

 But little progress has as yet been made in deciphering this so-called 

 "text." 



So far as the writer is aware, but three characters of the text of this 

 plate have been determined save in the manner mentioned below. 

 These are the symbols of three of the cardinal points, and are the first, 

 third, and fifth glyphs in the upper line of the upper division, counting 

 across from the left. 



That the text in most instances contains reference to the figures 

 below is quite evident. This is shown in plate iii by the fact that some 

 feature of the pictures is represented by one of the four glyphs which 

 stand above it, as in the middle section the bird's head forms one of 

 the glyphs over the figure in which the bird appears; and likewise 

 the dog-like animal and worm in the same division are represented in 

 the glyphs of the text above. These would therefore seem to be 

 simple abbreviated pictographs or conventionalized figures and not in 

 any sense phonetic characters. In the lower division of the same figure 

 the three persons to the right are holding in their hands something like 

 the symbol for the day Ik (fig. 5) (which signifies ' ' wind " in the Maj^a 

 language); the same symbol appears in the text above the head of each, 

 but its signification in these places is unknown. We may surmise if 

 we like, but the proof is wanting. 



As the glyphs in the middle division of the figure, on which the per- 

 sons and other forms are sitting, appear to represent something out of 

 which plants can grow and has the elements of the symbol of the day 

 Caban (see fig. 5), it is possilile they denote earth (cal) in Maya signifies 

 "earth"). In the upper division the Kan-like symbols (one of which 

 a bird is pecking and another is bitten by a little quadruped) prob- 

 ably represent grains of corn, supposed to be in the ground, the two 

 to the right throwing out sprouts. If this interpretation be correct, 

 this entire plate probably has reference to the cultivation of corn and 

 the dangers it is sul)ject to. However, from what has been stated, the 

 reader can judge as to the portion of this codex that has l)een deter- 

 mined with certainty, which is but little, and as to what is as yet but 

 theoretical. Of the text proper, scarcely anything, as before stated, 

 has been a]>solutely determined. This failure to decipher is attribu- 



