Page:A Study of the Manuscript Troano.djvu/134

78 canopies, or whatsoever they may be, behind the sitting priests in the middle divisions of the four plates of the Codex we observe this figure, a St. Andrew's cross, surrounded by the usual circle—those on Plates 26 and 28 with the cross white on a black ground. Precisely the same figures are found on three of the plates of the Manuscript, those on XX and XXIII with black ground and white cross.

In the lowest transverse line of characters of each of the four plates of the Codex, we find, as heretofore remarked, a symbol of one of the cardinal points. The same thing is true of the plates of the Manuscript, as will be seen by examining the lowest transverse line above the upper space.

The head of the Ara is seen on Plate 28 of the Codex in the same space (lowest division) as the bound "leg of venison." The two are in the Manuscript (Plate XX, lower division), but here the whole bird is figured.

In the upper division of Plate XX we notice issuing from the mouth of the dog two lines of dots each terminating in a little circle or circular dot. In the lower division of Plate 25 of the Codex we see two similar dotted lines arising from the severed neck of the bird. In both works these peculiar lines are on the Ix plates only.

Such are the chief resemblances between the plates of the two works. Some, it is true, are those of common occurrence, and taken alone would not be sufficient evidence to indicate that the plates relate to the same subject; but when we take all the resemblances into consideration, especially the more important ones mentioned, I think there can be but little doubt left upon the mind of any one that these four plates of the two works, in great part, at least, relate to the same subject—the festivals described by Landa as occurring at the close of the years. To which year or years a given plate refers I admit is a point in regard to which there is yet some uncertainty. This necessarily leaves us in some doubt respecting the proper assignment of the cardinal or direction symbols; but this fact does not affect the general correctness of my conclusions as to the subject-matter of these plates and the meaning of the figures and characters.

Leaving the further consideration of the plates of the Codex to a future page, I will now call attention to other figures and characters on the four