LIPE-FORM IN ART. 



345 



^. l^o satisfactory analysis has yet been offered of this letter. It seems formed 

 after the analogy of c. 



k, ku. The h is beyond doubt derived from a head seen in profile. The upper 

 figure within the circle is the closed eye with its lashes (compare ]^o. 8) ; that below 

 on the right is the ear (compare ]^o. 28) ; that on the left is the mouth. The ku is 

 supposed to be a drawing of the sacred " medicine bag." 



Z. ]^either of these have been resolved. 



m. This also is the figure of a head. It is distinguished from the k from the eye 

 being open, from the p by the absence of dots around the mouth. 

 n. Possibly the figure of a serpent. 

 o. Yariations of the same, of uncertain origin. 

 p, 2^P' Again the face in profile. 



X. The figure is easily recognized as the human hand, the second as a face in 

 profile emitting breath from the mouth. 



u. The first sign represents the ear, the second is of uncertain derivation. 

 z. This seems to be a vase of some kind. 



We think we can fairly claim to have improved upon the above identifications ; 

 how much, we must leave to others to decide. 



" For another example we will take that of the Palenque cross. We have already 

 indicated that the ornament on the ends of the horizontal bar of the cross are profile 

 rattlesnake heads. The object (Fig. 178) (evidently of animal origin) upon which 

 rests the vertical bar, has been called by Dr. Brinton* a rattlesnake head. Our com- 

 parisons lead us, however, to conclude that the object is not a rattlesnake head but a 

 full-faced human skull. With this opinion. Dr. Brinton informs us he now concurs. 



Fig. 178. 



" Full-face " rattlesnake head, from Aztec design. 



* 



Myth of the New World, 1. c. 



