Notes on Certain Maya and Mexican Manuscripts Part 13

[38] A fact mentioned by Leon y Gama (Dos Piedras, pt. I, p. 16), and Veytia (Hist. Antiq. Mej., tom. I, p. 58). See, also, Muller, _Reisen_, tom. III, p. 65, and Boturini, Idea, p. 125.

[39] I see from Charencey's "_Ages ou Soleils_," just received, that he concludes the arrangement by the Mexicans was as follows:

1. Tochtli -- Rabbit -- Blue -- Earth -- South.

2. Acatl -- Cane -- Red -- Water -- East.

3. Tecpatl -- Flint -- Yellow -- Air -- North.

 

4. Calli -- House -- Green -- Fire -- West.

[40] See note 39 on page 47.

[41] By "air" in this connection "wind" is really intended.

[42] Kingsborough, vol. VI, pp. 196, 197.

[43] See also Chavero's statement to the same purpose, a.n.a.les Mus. Mes., tom. 11, entrag. 4, p. 244.

[44] l. c. See also the colored wheel in Kingsborough, Mex. Antiq., Vol.

IV. Copied from one in Boturini's collection, the same as Gemelli's.

[45] l. c.

[46] Y acabados los cincuenta y dos anos tornaba la cuenta a cetochliacatl, que es la cana figura dedicada al oriente que llamaban tlapcopcopa, y tlavilcopa, casihacia[TN-23] la lumbre, o al sol.

[47] See the various views presented by Chavero, _a.n.a.les Mus. Mex._ Tom.

II Entrag. 2, and authorities referred to by Bancroft, _Native Races_, II. p. 504, note 3.

[48] Kingsburough,[TN-24] Mex. Antiq., Vol. III.

[49] Dr. Brinton, "The Maya Chronicles," p. 53, informs us that "the division of the katuns was on the principle of the Belran[TN-25] system of numeration, as _xel u ca katun_, 'thirty years;' _xel u yox katun_, 'fifty years.' Literally these expressions are, 'dividing the second katun,' 'dividing the third katun,' _xel_ meaning to cut in pieces, _to divide as with a knife_." This appears to be the idea intended in the figure of the Cortesian plate.

[50] P. 281, pl. 69.

[51] Dos Piedras, pt. 1, p. 16.

[52] Travels in Cent. Amer., vol. I, p. 156. Monument _N_, plate. Mr.

Gustav Eisen, in a MS. lately received by and now in possession of the Smithsonian Inst.i.tution, also mentions another similar head as found at Copan. This, he says, is on the side of an altar similar to that described by Stephens, except that the top wants the hieroglyphics. The sides have human figures similar to the other; on one of these is the head of an "Alligator."

[53] Ibid., 2d plate to p. 158.

[54] Stephens' Trav. Cent. Amer. III Frontispiece.