mprobable, though not
impossible, that the older system may have adopted some features from
the younger. Moreover, this supposition on the part of Dr Seler is in
direct conflict with his statement in the immediately preceding
paragraph. He says:

It is to be observed as applying chiefly to the manuscripts and the
reliefs, that the two side points which project like teeth from the
inner circle of the character could in no wise have signified
teeth. Such an interpretation is contradicted by the occasional
change of their position [plate LXIV, 47] and the fact that they
also appear now and then exactly like eyes [plate LXIV, 39].

Now the Mexican cavern symbol, as shown in his figures and as given in
Penafiel's "Nombres Geograficos," appears to be the open serpent mouth
with teeth and fangs. It is therefore more probable that the symbol was
derived as above indicated. Among the Indian pictographs given by
Colonel Mallery[223-1] as representing clouds are those shown in plate
LXIV, 43 and 44. An Ojibwa cloud symbol[223-2] is shown in plate LXIV,
45, in which the circular outline denotes the sky. It seems quite likely
that the Maya symbol is intended to convey precisely the same idea. On
the left (bottom) of plate 70, Borgian Codex, is a curved or arch-like
figure somewhat on the same order as those given. It appears to
represent the sky--but darkened sky, indicating night or obscurity. On
its upper surface are nine heads, which probably signify the "Nine Lords
of the Night." Below it is a black figure. On each side are two figures,
the color of the four differing--one blue, another yellow, another
black, and the other red. These are probably the regents of the cardinal
points.

If this supposition be correct, the symbol is purely ideographic and not
phonetic or ikonomatic; but this does not forbid the idea that when used
in other combinations it is used phonetically to give the chief sound
element of the word indicated by the ideograph. Dr Seler claims, as
corroborative of his supposition, that "all symbols which are combined
with the name of the third character are to be fully explained through
the word 'cavern.'" But it is far more likely that this (so far as it
holds good) is due to the fact that the symbol is used because of its
phonetic value or its chief phonetic element, _ak_, which is the same as
the chief element of the Maya name for cavern--_actun_, _actan_, _aktan_
(Henderson, MS.