Page:A Study of the Manuscript Troano.djvu/157



PART FIRST OF THE MANUSCRIPT.

Plates II to VII of the first part appear to relate to one general subject, if we can judge of this by the figures and symbols, but what that general subject is I am as yet unable to determine positively, but am of the opinion that they relate, in part at least, to the festivals and profession of the traveling merchants.

The first division of Plate II contains two figures. The one to the left, a quadruped upon a brown ground, has its hind feet upon an oblong figure, apparently a stone, holding by its fore feet to a cord which passes round the object on which its hind feet are placed. A machete is plunged into the back, forming a great wound, from which we see the blood flowing out. The character on which he stands is marked with the trembling cross, which signifies "Ezanab" or "flint." I think it more than probable that this is intended to denote the sacrifice of this animal. It was the custom to sacrifice a dog at the merchants' festival, but it is doubtful whether this figure is intended to represent a dog.

A similar figure and with similar accompaniments is found in the upper division of Plate III. I find among the characters immediately above both of these, this one. The right-hand portion appears to be Landa's character for the letter "L." If we suppose the inscription to have any reference to the figures in the spaces, we may give this two possible interpretations—the first Ol, "heart," probably denoting the sacrifice of the animal or person by the usual method of taking out the heart. Or, supposing