AZTEC AND PERUVIAN FISHING 23 
From the circles or dots we learn that the age of one youth 
depicted was thirteen, and from the two connected ovals 
marked with small dashes that his allowance of food consisted 
of two cakes or ¢ortillas a meal. Fourth, by the symbol before 
his mouth, that the father is speaking. The symbol very 
roughly reminds us of the Assyrian system of signs which 
determine the nature or subject of a word, as the two hundred 
odd fish mentioned in Asur-bani-pal’s library at Nineveh 
signify. 
AZTEC BOATING, 
From the Mendoza Codex, vol, i, pl. 61, fig. 3. 
But Mexico as a staff in our quest of priority breaks in our 
hands. The Museo Nacional a few years ago contained nothing 
of prehistoric fishing interest except perhaps a notched stone 
sinker. Greater disappointment still, the wealth of ancient 
Maya information from the monuments of Merida yields us 
sometimes fish, but never fishing scenes. } 
From ancient Peru I had hoped help, but neither the four 
1 From a letter from the representative in Mexico of the Smithsonian 
Institute, who adds: ‘‘ My belief is that the Mayas used the Spear, the Net, 
and the Bow and Arrow. That is all I can give you at present: should any- 
thing else turn up, I will let you know.” In A Study of Maya Art, an elaborate 
work by Herbert J. Spinder (Peabody Museum Memoirs, Harvard University, 
1913), 1 have failed to find any fishing scenes or any ancient fishing implements 
depicted. 
