Page:A Study of the Manuscript Troano.djvu/59

Rh Katun included only 20 years, but of 312 if it contained 24 years, as maintained by Perez.

We are now prepared to discuss the question presented as to whether the numerals and day characters found so frequently in connection with each other are simply dates, somewhat as we find them in our ordinary calendars, or not. The first point to be determined is whether these day characters are used simply to denote days, or because of the signification of the words, as Brasseur supposed. This, as will be readily perceived, also involves the important question as to whether Landa was correct in his statement, that they were the symbols or characters used to denote days.

The argument must therefore be somewhat in a circle; hence the evidence adduced must be strong to support the position assumed, and must agree in the essential points with the Maya calendar so far as positively determined.

In order to decide this point we now turn to the manuscript itself.

Referring to Plate X we find that the left-hand column of the middle division (always reading from the top downwards) is composed of the characters representing the following Maya days, in the order here given: Oc, Cib, Ik, Lamat, Ix. If we turn to Table V, containing the list of days, and count on either of the four columns of names, from one of these names to the next, we shall find in each case an interval of just six days: from Oc to Cib six days; from Cib to Ik six days, and so on. The other column, same plate and division, is composed of the characters for Ahau, Cimi, Eb, Ezanab, and Kan, with an interval of six days between each two. Turning now to Plate VI, middle division, we find the days in the left-hand column to be Caban, Ik, Manik, Eb, and Caban, with an interval of just five days between each two. In the upper division of Plate XVII the interval is twelve days; and the same is true in reference to the other columns on this plate. In the left-hand column of the third division of Plate XXXI the interval is sixteen days.

Although the interval is generally the same throughout a column, yet there are occasional departures from this rule; for example, on Plate XIII, the left-hand column of the upper division is composed of the characters for