19 



rians. This diversity, of which we have just 

 stated the reason, relates only to the order of 

 the destructions ; for the circumstances, by which 

 each of them was accompanied, are related in 

 the same manner by Gomara, Pedro de los Rios, 

 Ixtlilxochitl, Clavig ero, and Gam a. 



First cycle. Its duration is 13 x 400+6=5206 

 years. This number is indicated on the right in 

 the lower picture by nineteen rounds, thirteen 

 of which are surmounted by a feather. We have 

 already observed, speaking of the calendar, that 

 the hieroglyphic of the square of twenty is a fea- 

 ther ; and that, like the nails of the Etruscans 

 and the Romans *, mere rounds indicated among 

 the Mexicans the number of the years. This 

 first age, which corresponds to the age of justice 

 ( Sahia Youga) of the Hindoos, was called 

 Tlaltonatiuh, age of the Earth ; it is also that of 

 ' the giants (Qzocuilliexeque, or Tuinametin), for 

 the historical traditions of every nation began by 

 combats of giants. The Olmecks or Hulmecks, 

 and the Xicalancks, two nations that preceded 

 the Toltecks, and who boasted of high antiquity, 

 pretended to have found them on arriving in the 

 plains of Tlascalaf. According to the Pouranas, 

 Bacchus, or the young Rama, gained also his 



* Tit. Liv. Hist. lib. 7, c. 3 (ed. Gesneri, 1735, torn. 1, 

 p. 461). 



f Torquemada, vol. 1, p. 37. 



c 2 



