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Cincinnati Society of Natural History. 



repetition of the same numbers should be capable of being distinguished. 

 This third series consisted of nine hieroglyphics called " Lords of the 

 Night." The use of this new set of symbols would prevent them 

 from falling into any confusion, caused by the repetition of the same terms 

 for the additional 105 days which must be added to this period of 260 

 days in order to complete the religious year, or "moon year," and make it 

 commensurate with the civil year, or "sun year." 



The Mayas had calendars composed in the same manner as -the Mexi- 

 cans, for their year was made up of eighteen months of twenty days each, 

 with the addition of five epagamenon, and their cycle of 52 years was 

 composed of four differently named years, arranged in sets of thirteen, 

 and four times repeated. " A cycle of 52 years was thus obtained in a 

 manner almost identical with that of the Aztecs, Tarascos and other 

 nations." (See Dan'l G. Brinton.) 



One is struck with wonder in considering the high attainments these 

 people had made in astronomical knowledge. Where they originally ob- 

 tained it, is as yet a mystery. But one thing seems certain, that all the 

 civilization of our American Indians must have originated at the great 

 focus of Indian civilization. 



"It is believed by Baron Humboldt, and by others, that in the Navajoes 

 and Moquis, we see the descendants of the same race of Indians which 

 Cortez and the Spanish conquerors found in Mexico in a semi-civilized 

 state. The whiteness of their skins; their knowledge of useful arts and 

 agriculture, and the mechanical skill exhibited in their edifices at the pres- 

 ent day bear a striking analogy to the Mexican people at the period of the 

 conquest; and, as Humboldt says, 'appear to announce traces of the culti- 

 vation of the ancient Mexicans.' . . . We are tempted to believe that, 

 at the period of the migration of the Toltecs, the Acolhues and the 

 Aztecs, several tribes separated from the great mass of the people to es- 

 tablish themselves in these northern regions." 



Then from the Aztecs this civilization was spread abroad by the inter- 

 course of trading, and also by means of couriers, or runners, who answer 

 to our mail carriers. 



The City of Mexico constituted the grand centre, from which irradiated 

 the best and the highest culture which could be obtained by any of our 

 Indians, and when we desire to investigate any of the subjects connected 

 with them, and trace them to their sources, I believe that we should go to 

 the nations of Guatemala and Mexico. 



