n the
division above, are anthropomorphic symbols of corn; the other an earth
or underworld deity. One of the former holds in his hands a _kan_
symbol, which is colored to signify maize; the others hold _ik_ symbols.
There are two interpretations which may be given this symbolic
representation--one, that the _ik_ glyphs are intended to denote plant
life, that which causes plants to spring up and grow; the other, that
they denote wind, which in that country was often destructive to growing
corn.

Very distinct reference is made in the "Relacion de la Villa
Valladolid"[217-1] to the injurious effects of winds on the maize crop.
It is related in this report, which appears to have been of an official
character, made in 1579, that--

From June till the middle of August it rains very hard and there
are strong winds; from the latter date the rains are not copious
and the wind blows strongly from the north, which causes much
mortality among the natives, and Spaniards as well, for they
contract catarrh and _barriga_ (dropsy?). This north wind destroys
the maize crops, which form the main sustenance of both natives and
Spaniards, for they use no other bread.

There can be no doubt that most, if not all, of the figures on this
plate (Tro. 29) are intended to represent the injurious and destructive
agencies to which maize and other cultivated plants were subject. Birds
and quadrupeds pull up the sprouting seed and pull down and devour the
ripening grain; worms gnaw the roots and winds break down the stalks,
one out of four escaping injury and giving full return to the planter.
The latter is therefore probably the correct interpretation, the only
difficult feature being the presence of the Earth god, which agrees
better with the first suggestion.

It is to be observed that the series on Tro. 29c really commences with
the right-hand group on 30c. The figure here holds in his hand an _ik_
symbol. Following this, the left group on 29c shows a bird pecking the
corn; the next, a small quadruped tearing it down; the next, a worm
gnawing at the root of a plant; and the fourth, or right-hand group, a
corn figure holding a _kan_ symbol, indicating the mature grain, the
uninjured portion of the crop. It would therefore appear that the _ik_
symbol in this series denotes wind.

As additional proof that the symbol is used to indicate "wind,"
reference is made to Tro. 24a. Here the long-nose Rain god, or M