81 



disposed. In the second row, reckoning from 

 right to left, we find four hieroglyphics, which 

 follow each other in a periodical series. The 

 days marked here and there denote the times at 

 which the tribute was to be paid. 



No. 2, 3, 4. What explanation can we give 

 of these women's heads placed near the sign of 

 20 ? The cocks and turkeys, delineated in No. 

 3, might lead us to think, that these birds were 

 equally known to the Mexicans before the con- 

 quest; if it were sufficiently proved, that the 

 paintings, from which these figures are taken, 

 date farther back than the 15th century. I have 

 shown in another work*, that the cock of the 

 Indies, known in the islands of the South Sea, 

 was introduced into America by the Euro- 

 peans. 



The tlamama, or porters, No. 5, appear to hold 

 stalks of maize, or sugar-canes, in their hands. 

 I shall not undertake to determine the species of 

 animals beneath the tlamama, and somewhat re- 

 sembling the tochtli, or Mexican fabbit* 



No. 7 points out the kind of punishment, 

 which was inflicted on the unhappy natives when 

 they did not pay the tribute at the time pre- 

 scribed. Three Indians, whose hands are tied 

 behind their backs, appear to be condemned to 



* Political Essay, vol. 2, p. 452, 

 VOL. XIV. G 



