Page:A Study of the Manuscript Troano.djvu/215

Rh Referring to Plate XXIII*, we find in the middle compartment of the upper division the figure and characters represented in Fig. 71. The lower line of the inscription over the figure consists of three characters, which I interpret as follows:

Chehzic u cahal: "Consumes (or destroys) his (or the) dwelling."

The eye and snout in the left-hand character, translated "consumes," I presume imply that this is done by the Chac. The parts of this compound character are taken in the same order as the others heretofore interpreted; that is, from right to left; those of the third, translated "dwelling," from below upwards.

It is possible that the left-hand character should be rendered zatzic, which has the same signification as chehzic, and also has the two hissing sounds, indicated by the interlaced portion.

If I am correct in my rendering of the right-hand character, it will pi-obably enable us to determine this one (Fig. 72), which is often used in the Manuscript. I suggest okoltba, "prayer," and, with the numeral, "three prayers." But it is possible that the true rendering is ocol which, according to Perez, signifies, when joined to a number, the course or order, as of priesthood.

Adopting these suggestions, we would translate the characters in the upper right-hand corner of the middle division, Plate VII, Fig. 73, thus:

"Five tortillas of maize, three prayers, the leg of a deer,?", or, "Five tortillas of maize, the third priest (or priest of the third order?), the leg of a deer." I prefer the first rendering, as the character marked b frequently occurs without the numeral where the second interpretation would not apply.

Fig. 74, which is precisely like that for Caban as usually given in the Manuscript, is found on several plates and also frequently in the