140 



and h represent serpents, which among all na- 

 tions are the emblems of time. The under part 

 of the stone exhibits at g the sign hisca, which 

 alludes to the nuptials of Bochica and Cbia*, 

 the sign of the lunar conjunction figured under 

 the form of a temple shut. This is the end of 

 the first revolution of the cycle. The sacrifice 

 of the guesa is going to reopen the temple, and 

 begin the second indiction. The intercalation 

 of hisca is made after nine Muysca years, which 

 is denoted by nine strokes at b, c, and d. The 

 lock, which closes the temple, is the same as 

 that made use of at present by the natives. It 

 is pierced on both sides, to receive two pieces of 

 cylindrical wood. On comparing this lock with 

 that of the Egyptians, sculptured on the walls of 

 Karnak, and in use for thousands of years on the 

 banks of the Nile ~f\ We observe the difference 

 which exists between the works of a rude peo- 

 ple, and those of an ingenious nation advanced 

 in the arts. 



Four of these pentagonal stones taught, as the 

 Indians assert^ the twenty intercalations of the 

 deaf moon, which, according to the imperfect 

 calendar of the Muyscas, took place in a cycle 

 of seven hundred and forty sunas. This cycle 

 contained twenty years of the priests of thirty- 



* Plate 44, fig. 4, No. 5. 



f Denon, Voyage en Egypte, Plate 139, fig. 14. 



