lizards--were of several kinds--the _mo'o_ with large, sharp,
glistening teeth; the talking mo'o, _moo-olelo_; the creeping mo'o,
_moo-kolo_; the roving, wandering mo'o, _moo-pelo_; the watchful
mo'o, _moo-kaala_; the prophesying mo'o, _moo-kaula_; the deadly
mo'o, _moo-make-a-kane_. The Hawaiian legends frequently speak of
_mo'o_ of extraordinary size living in caverns, amphibious in their
nature, and being the terror of the inhabitants.[214-3]

According to the Codex Fuen-leal, at the beginning of things the gods
made thirteen heavens, and beneath them the primeval water, in which
they placed a fish called _cipactli_ (queses como caiman). This marine
monster brought the dirt and clay from which they made the earth, which,
therefore, is represented in their paintings resting on the back of a
fish.

A similar conception is found both in Malay and Hindu mythology,
differing somewhat in details, but always relating to some monster
reptile. In the Manek Maya, one of the ancient epics of Java, Anta Boga,
the deity presiding over the lowest region of the earth, is a
dragon-like monster with ninety nostrils. The same conception is found
also among other peoples.

In the Tonga language _moco_ is "a species of lizard;" in Hawaiian
_mo'o_ or _moko_ is "the general name for lizards," and the same word
signifies "lizard" in Samoan; _moko-moko_ is the New Zealand (Maori)
name for a small lizard. Taylor[214-4] says that _moko-titi_ was a
"lizard god."

It is therefore evident that a superstition regarding some reptilian
water monster prevailed throughout the Pacific islands. It is true also
that the Nahuatl _cipactli_ certainly means some amphibious or water
animal--a swordfish, alligator, or something of the kind, though exactly
which is not certain--or, what is more likely, the reference was
altogether mythical.

It is possible, and perhaps probable, as stated above, that the Maya
symbol of this day was taken originally from the conventional method of
representing the female breast. Drs Seler and Schellhas appear to be of
this opinion. But it does not necessarily follow from this that the
character used for the name of the day has any reference to the female
breast, as it is more likely used in this relation for its phonetic
value alone, _m_ being the chief phonetic element indicated thereby.

If the supposition herein advanced that the combination shown in plate
LXIV, 9, denotes bread or f