ANIMAL FIGURES IN THE MAYA CODICES 287 



usually been considered to be glyphs for several of the constella- 

 tions. Numerous calculations in the codices make it clear that 

 the Mayas had a good knowledge of astronomy. These glyphs 

 are usually oblong in shape and three or more are arranged to- 

 gether end to end. We have called these the constellation 

 bands. Various attempts have been made to identify these 

 signs of the various constellations. Animals frequently are 

 pictured below these bands. The dog with fire brands in his 

 paws and often attached to his tail is shown in several places 

 coming head downward from one of these bands (as in Dresden 

 36a ). The peccary is also shown in the same position although 

 the fire brands do not appear (Dresden 68a). A figure with 

 macaw head occurs once standing beneath one of these bands 

 with fire brands in his hands (Dresden 40b). The serpent (as 

 in Dresden 36a), the Uzard-crocodile-hke animal in Dresden 74, 

 the turtle (Tro-Cortesianus 71a), the vulture (Dresden 38b), 

 the turkey (Tro-Cortesianus 10b) , and the deer (Tro-Cortesianus 

 47a) all appear in connection with these constellation bands. 

 It is impossible at this time to decide upon the part these various 

 animals play in relation to distinct constellations. In addition 

 to the animals named, several of the gods, especially god B, are 

 found below these bands. One of these signs, the one identified 

 by Forstemann as standing for Saturn, is composed of the head 

 of the crocodile more or less conventionahzed. 



Forstemann (1902, p. 27) identifies the turtle with the sum- 

 mer solstice and the snail as the animal associated with the 

 winter solstice. There does not seem to be any one animal 

 used in connection with any one of the cardinal points. In 

 Tro-Cortesianus 88c the dog seems to be associated with the 

 north as shown by the glyph which is ordinarily regarded as 

 connected with that direction, the ape with the west, and an 

 unidentifiable bird sitting on a Cimi (death) sign with the south. 

 The east is connected in this place with a human figure. It 

 should be stated, however, that it is not absolutely certain that 

 the usual assignment of the cardinal points, each to its special 

 direction, is correct. The signs for the east and west as well as 

 those for the north and south may be reversed. With the ex- 



