S2c; 



Periodical series are in use also in China, 

 where ten can combined with twelve tchl denote 

 the days or years of the periods of sixty days or 

 sixty years *. Among the Japanese, the Chi- 

 nese, and the nations of Mexico, the periodical 

 series can serve only to characterize fifty-two or 

 sixty years. The Thibetans, on the contrary, have 

 rendered the contrivance of series so complex, 

 that they have names for one hundred and ninety- 

 two, and even for two hundred and fifty-two 

 years. In denoting, for instance, the memorable 

 year, in which the great lhama Kan-ka-gnimbo, 

 united, with the consent of the Emperor of 

 China, the ecclesiastic and temporal powers * ; 

 the inhabitant of Lhassa cites the year male Jire> 

 bird (me po cia) of the fourteenth cycle past 

 since the deluge. He reckons fifteen elements ; 

 namely, five of the masculine gender, five of the 

 feminine, and five neuter. By combining these 

 fifteen elements with the twelve signs of the 

 zodiac, and naming the first twelve years of the 

 cycle only after the celestial signs, without add- 

 ing any element, he obtains denominations for 

 12 x 15 + 12 = 192 years. Adding finally sixty 

 years denoted by the combination of ten male 

 and female elements with the twelve signs of the 

 zodiac, he finds his great cycle of two hundred 



* Observ. Astr. du P. Souciet, published by P. Gaubil, 

 torn. 1, p. 26 ; torn. 2, p. 175. 



