METHOD OF TREATMENT. 49 
the still clumsier expedient of F'6rstemann and Seler of reducing the dates to 
their corresponding day totals in our own Arabic notation. 
In comparing Maya dates throughout this work the terminal dates have 
been omitted; for example, 9.15.0.0.0 is used for 9.15.0.0.0 4 Ahau 13 
Yax, and 9g. 16. 0.0.0 for 9. 16.0. 0.0 2 Ahau 13 Tzec. This omission, how- 
ever, in no way affects the values of the dates thus abbreviated, and has 
been introduced only to simplify and expedite the comparisons. When 
monuments of the same date are known at other sites the fact is noted and 
reference made to Appendix VIII, where their location will be found. 
It has appeared advisable not to give the corresponding equivalents 
in Christian chronology in the general text, first because of the widely differ- 
ent results reached in the several systems of correlation which have been 
proposed, and second because eventually it is hoped that it will be possible 
to correlate the two chronologies to a day by means of astronomical data 
present in the inscriptions. The writer believes, however, that it is now 
possible to fix Maya dates to their corresponding positions in the Christian 
Era with a maximum error of less than 5 years and probably of less than 1 
year. However, because of even this slight uncertainty, it has seemed best 
to reserve the presentation of the entire correlation question, as well as the 
table of equivalents suggested by the writer, for treatment in an appendix. 
(See Appendix IT.) 
Under the third heading in each synopsis will be found plate and figure 
references to specific publications where the monument under discussion has 
been reproduced; also whether the reproduction is from a photograph or 
drawing, or from both. 
Under the fourth and last heading are given page references to the 
several authorities who have described the monument. ‘Then follows the 
general discussion of the text. 
The latter in each case opens with the size of the monument and a brief 
description of its principal characteristics—how the inscription is presented, 
whether upon one or more sides. Then comes the detailed consideration 
of the text, the decipherment of its several dates, and finally a summary of 
the dates. 
At the end of each chapter, the chronological data have been briefly 
analyzed, particularly with reference to the growth and expansion of the 
tribe or people whose capital was Copan, during the corresponding period. 
In designating individual glyph-blocks in a text, the method followed is 
that devised by Bowditch, namely, a set of two coordinates; the. vertical - 
rows or columns being given letters from left to right, thus: A, B, C, D, etc., 
and the horizontal rows, numbers from top to bottom, thus: 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. 
By means of these two sets of coérdinates, any glyph-block can be simply 
and clearly designated. 
For example, in figure 5, glyph a would be described as a1, glyph 6 
as B3, and glyph y as B6. ‘This simple method of glyph designation will 
ae 
