368 ANIMAL FIGURES IN THE MAYA CODICES 



sponds to the day 0(;omatli, the ape, in the Nahua calendar. 

 This would suggest a connection between god C and the ape 

 and this may be seen in the glyphs for god C (text figs. 20-24). 

 Forstemann sees " an ape whose lateral nasal cavity (peculiar 

 to the American ape or monkey) is occasionally represented 

 plainly in the hieroglyph picture." He also associates god C 

 with the constellation of Ursa Minor. 



Figs. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. 

 GLYPHS OF GOD C. 



It will be seen from the detailed examination of the fauna 

 shown in the codices that after all a comparatively small 

 part of the animal life of the country occupied by the Maya 

 speaking peoples is represented. The drawings in some 

 cases are fairly accurate, so that there is little diffi- 

 culty in determining the species intended by the artist. At 

 other times, it is hazardous to state the exact species to which 

 the animal belongs. It is only in a comparatively small 

 number of cases, however, that there is any great doubt 

 attached to the identification. It will be noted that the 

 drawings of the Dresden manuscript are much more care- 

 fully and accurately done than those of the Tro-Cortesianus. 

 A greater delicacy and a more minute regard for detail char- 

 acterize the Dresden drawings in general. 



In the animals selected for reproduction by the Mayas, 

 only those were taken which were used either in a purely 

 religious significance for their mythological character (and 

 here naturally there is to be noted an anthropomorphic 

 tendency) or animals were chosen which were employed as 

 offerings to the many different gods of the Maya pantheon. 

 The religious character of the whole portrayal of animal 

 life in the codices is clearly manifest, and it is this side of 

 the subject which will come out more clearly as the manu- 

 scripts are better known. 



