NUMERAL WORSHIP AND BUILDING UP IMAGES, ETC. 



81 



the conclusion is unavoidable that here these numbers are multiplied together, making 

 72, which serves as a multiplier to the 5 represented by the main character of the 

 glyph, producing a total of 360, the number of days in an ahau. This supposition of 

 the value and use of the characters here will be strengthened by other circumstances 

 as we proceed. 



In the second glyph given above the subfix is omitted. Such omission is frequent, 

 even with the other form, while at times only two blocks appear ; from which it is 

 only reasonable to infer that the symbols were supposed to be so unmistakable in 

 consequence of their connection and position that it was not deemed necessary to draw 

 them elaborately. As this sign should undoubtedly have the same subfix as the other, 

 it must in some way represent 5 also. In this particular case it has the symbol of the 

 day Ahau in the top of the head — giving no additional value to the glyph, however, 

 but merely declaring its quality. 



ELEMENTS OP THE KATUN SIGNS. 



The ordinary katun symbol is simply the ahau sign raised to twenty times its value 

 by a superfix. This superfix consists, in most instances, of a centerpiece supported 

 on both sides by the comb-like sign for 20 ; but in some cases there is but a single 

 support — a circumstance that justifies the opinion that the duplicate form is made use 

 of merely to give symmetry to the glyph. The centerpiece is usually the cauac sign 

 for 10 days ; but in this connection it does not appear to have any value, further 

 than to emphasize the fact that the computation is by days. 



The face symbol here has the subfix (conventionalized into three mere balls), 

 while the superfix is absent. As many of the heads have the superfix also, it is a 

 matter of doubt whether their value is variable, according to its presence or absence, 

 or not. The sign of the day Ahau in this head is inclosed in either a dotted wing or 

 the fringed dragon-jaw — both characters for 20 — thereby explicitly declaring the glyph 

 to be the equivalent of twenty ahaus. 



BIOL. CENTH.-AMEU., ArchcEol. 



11 



