HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



17 



to whom Torqueinada gives the name of Xochiquetzal, 

 and the Cav. Boturini that of Macuilxochiquetzalli. 



Xiuhteuctli (mafter of the year and of the grafs), was 

 among thefe nations the god of fire, to whom they like- 

 wife gave the name of Ixcozauhqui, which exprefTes the 

 colour of fire. This god was greatly revered in the Mex- 

 ican empire. At their dinner they made an offering to 

 him of the firft morfel of their food, and the firft draught 

 of their beverage, by throwing both into the fire ; and 

 burned incenfe to him at certain times of the day. In 

 honour of him they held two fixed feflivals of the moft 

 folemn kind, one in the tenth, and another in the eigh- 

 teenth month ; and one moveable feaft at which they 

 created the ufual magiflrates, and renewed the ceremony 

 of the inveftiture of the fiefs of the kingdom. He had 

 a temple in Mexico, and fome other palaces. 



Centeotl, goddefs of the earth and of corn, called like- 

 wife, Tonacajohua (0), that is, flie who fupports us. 

 She had five temples in Mexico, and three feftivals were 

 held on her account, in the third, eighth, and eleventh 

 months: flie was particularly revered and honoured by 

 the Totonacas, who efteemed her to be their chief pro- 

 te&refs ; and erected to her, upon the top of a high 

 mountain, a temple, where flie was ferved by a great 

 number of priefls folely devoted to her worfliip, and 

 adored by the whole nation. They had an extraordi- 

 nary love for her, being perfuaded that flie did not re- 

 quire human victims, but was contented with the facri- 

 fice of doves, quails, leverets, and fuch animals, which 

 they offered up to her in great numbers. They expected 



Vol. II. C flie 



(0) They gave her likewife the names of Tzhiteotl (original goddefs), Xilonen y 

 Iztaeaceuteotl and llatlauhquicenteotl, changing her name according to the differ- 

 ent ftates of the grain in the progrefs of its growth. 



