ANIMAL FIGURES IN THE MAYA CODICES 319 



the Gila monster (Heloderma horridum), a large and some- 

 what poisonous species having much these proportions. 



Further offerings are shown in PL 12, figs. 7, 8. These 

 seem to be the heads and forefeet of lizards, but, from the 

 shape of the head, perhaps not of iguanas. 



In Stela D of Copan, the Uinal period glyph seems to be 

 represented by a spineless lizard covered with scales (PL 12^ 

 fig. 9). Frog-like characteristics also appear. This stone 

 monument is remarkable from the fact that the glyphs are 

 all more or less realistic representations of human and animal 

 forms. It should be noted that there certainly seems to be 

 some connection between the Uinal period glyph and the 

 lizard. PL 13, fig. 9, represents a Uinal glyph from the 

 Temple of the Foliated Cross at Palenque and the lizard 

 form is clearly seen in the eyebrow and the upper jaw. Com- 

 pare also PL 13, fig. 11, and PL 28, fig. 3. A collection of 

 glyphs of this period shows clearly the lizard-like character 

 of the face. 



That some connection existed between the lizard and the 

 idea of rain seems clear from a reference in the Relacion de 

 la Ciudad de Merida (1900, p. 51).* Finally the lizard is 

 shown in Dresden 3a (PL 12, fig. 11) directly in front of god H 

 beside the scene of human sacrifice. 



Crocodile. The text figure (1) shows a dorsal view of 

 a crocodile (Maya, ayin) carved on the top of Altar T at 

 Copan. The general form is considerably conventionalized 

 with limbs elongated and provided with human hands and 

 long toes. The protuberances of the back are roughly 

 shown by oval markings, which are here continued on the 

 legs. The large scales of the ventral surfaces also appear 

 at the sides of the body, and along the posterior edges of 

 the lim^bs. The tail is shortened and bifurcate. The most 

 interesting portion, however, is the head. The snout is 

 distinctly pinched in at the base, though broadened again 

 distally. In the alligator the snout is broad and tapers but 



* " Y pintaban un largarto que significaba el Diluvio — y la tierra e 

 sobre este largarto hazian un gran monton de lena y ponianle fuego.' ' 



