77 



SIGNS DENOTING BEGINNING. 



Though not numerals, there is a class of signs so nearly of a numerative character that 

 they may properly be introduced in this connection. These are the signs indicating 

 beginning. The number is undoubtedly greater than here given, but there are 

 some of which I am doubtful, and they are therefore withheld. The nature of these 

 signs is unmistakable, as they occur only where their meaning is plainly implied. 

 Thus, whenever the sign marked a accompanies the day Ahau in a date, the date will 

 be found to be the beginning of an ahau. In like manner, the sign marked i, over 

 Ahau, indicates it to be the beginning of a katun. The other signs, in whatever 

 position they may occur in connection with a period symbol, denote that it is a 

 beginning day, the beginning of the period, or that the particular period is the initial 

 one of the series to which it belongs. 



,G^^3 



I©1@ 



The last sign in the list is the only one of which I have the least doubt. It may 

 possibly be a sign for 20 — all the above symbols occupying a position so liable to 

 confound them with signs for that number that it is difficult at times to distinguish 

 them ; but my best judgment prompts me to include it in this list. 



