t of them. These are day-dates. The dots
count one--the little upright bars, five. The probabilities are that
this tablet is a sort of list of feast-days in honor of the gods
represented by the central tablet.

As we have made a considerable effort to acquaint ourselves with the
social organization and customs of the various tribes, and have spent
some time in learning the details of their calendar system, and their
advance in the art of writing, it will not be out of place to inquire
as to their history--to determine, if possible, some of the dates to be
given for the arrival of the tribes, and some of the important points
of their prehistoric life. Whatever difficulties we have experienced in
acquiring a knowledge of their customs will be greatly increased now.
Their architecture, social organization, and general enlightenment could
be perceived by the conquering Spaniards, and our information in regard
to the same should have been full and complete. We have seen, however,
how meager it is. The only light thrown on these disputed points is the
result of the labors of modern scholars. When we were made acquainted
with some of the first principles of Indian society, we could read with
profit the accounts of the early writers.

But, when we come to ask for dates in their history, we are almost
entirely at sea. The traditions, in this respect, are almost worthless.
So, all that we shall attempt to do, is to present some of the thoughts
of our scholars as to the probable connection of the civilized tribes
with each other, and what value is to be given to the few dates at our
command. We will begin, first, with the Maya tribes. This includes those
tribes that speak the Maya language, and its dialects. It was in their
territory that the most striking ruins were found. They include the
tribes of Yucatan, Guatemala, Chiapas, and Tobasco. Then there comes
a break; but they were also settled on both banks of the River Panuco.
Many theories have been advanced as to the origin of the Mayas. As yet,
the question is not solved.

Not a few have supposed them to be the same as the Mound Builders of
the United States. Dr. Brinton has pointed out that the language of the
Natchez Indians contains some words of the Maya.<89> A Mexican scholar,
Senor Orozco-y-Berra, thinks it probable that the Mayas once occupied
the Atlantic sea-board of the United States; that they passed from the
peninsula of Florida to Cuba, and thence to the other C