Page:A Study of the Manuscript Troano.djvu/195

Rh thread-like lines (yellow in the original) the straw or grass with which the roof was thatched.

The checkered part may represent a matting of reeds or brushwood, on which the straw was placed.

The following extract from Landa will give an idea of the form and structure of the ordinary dwellings of the people as seen by him:

"The manner of building the houses in Yucatan was to cover them with straw, which they had in abundance and of good quality, or with leaves of the palm trees, well suited to this purpose. Thy raised the roof, giving it a considerable pitch, in such a manner that the rain could not penetrate it. A wall was then erected in the center, dividing the house lengthwise,  leaving in this wall some doors for communicating with the part which was called the back of the house, where they had their beds; the other part was carefully whitewashed with lime. In the houses of the nobles these walls were covered with pleasant pictures. It was in this part that they received and lodged their guests.

"This side had no doors, but was open the whole length of the house, the roof descending very low, in order that it might be a shelter from the sun and rain. It is also said that this was to render himself master of the enemy inside in time of necessity.

"The common people built at their expense the houses of the nobles, and as they had no doors it was regarded as a grave fault to make the least error in the houses of others.

"They had formerly at the back a small door for the use of the common people.