Page:A Study of the Manuscript Troano.djvu/208

142 contain the main elements of c; Cimi (Kimi) those of k; in Pop or Poop (Poob) we see the character for b; in Zac, both z and cu; in Cumhu, cu and some elements of m; in Kayeb, k; &c.

Comparing the days and months with each other, we can occasionally detect similar elements where there are similar sounds. In both Chicchan and Pax we see the interlacing, or cross-hatching, and in both the sound ch; in Manik and Men the three parallel strokes, possibly m or n; we also observe similar strokes in Ymix.

After we have carried this comparison to its utmost extent the number of cases where we find such resemblances in form where there is a similarity in sound are so few, compared with those in which we do not, that we are forced to abandon, at least to a great extent, the attempt to decipher the writings of the Manuscript by the use of these letter characters upon the theory that they are phonetic. I say "to a great extent," because, as we have seen, there is some evidence that phonetic elements were introduced to a limited degree.

I may be permitted to remark in this connection that in all the attempts to decipher these documents which have thus far been made, one very essential part of Landa's statement has been too lightly passed over, and not sufficiently considered. Speaking of the Maya writing, he says: "The people made use of certain characters or letters with which they wrote down in their books their ancient affairs and their sciences, and by means of these and by certain figures, and by particular signs in these figures, they understood their affairs, made others understand them, and taught them."

It is evident, as I think, from this language that Landa does not wish to convey the idea that the native writing had reached such a degree of perfection that by means of phonetic characters alone—or, in other words, writing in the true sense—they could record historical facts and communicate with each other. And his attempt to give the characters for their letter sounds is, to a certain extent, a contradiction of his own statement. He has undertaken to pick out of their compound or syllabic characters the letter