Periodical series are in use also in Cliina^ 
where ten can combined with twelve tchl denote 
the days or years of the periods of sixty days or 
sixty years Among the Japanese, the Chi- 
nese, and the nations of Mexico, the periodical 
series can serve only to characterize fifty-two or 
sixty years. The Thibetans, on the contrary, have 
rendered the contrivance of series so complex, 
that they have names for one hundred and ninety- 
two, and even for two hundred and fifty-two 
years. In denoting, for instance, the memorable 
year, in which the great lhama Kan-ka-gnimbo, 
united, with the consent of the Emperor of 
China, the ecclesiastic and temporal powers ; 
the inhabitant of Lhassa cites the year MaZe Jire, 
bird (me po cia) of the fourteenth cycle past 
since the deluge. He reckons fifteen elements ; 
namely, five of the masculine gender, five of the 
feminine, and five neuter. By combining these 
fifteen elements with the twelve signs of the 
zodiac, and naming the first twelve years of the 
cycle only after the celestial signs, without add- 
ing any element, he obtains denominations for 
12 X 15 + 12 = 192 years. Adding finally sixty 
years denoted by the combination of ten male 
and female elements with the twelve signs of the 
zodiac, he finds his great cycle of two hundred 
* Observ. Astr. du P. Souciet, published by P. Oaubil, 
tom. 1, p. 26 ; tom, 2, p. 175. 
