m
whose perfection challenges our admiration. It was worthy of the splendid
civilization of this unfortunate race, and, through its simplicity and
regularity, bears ample testimony to the intellectual capacity which
originated it.

The only example of vigesimal reckoning which is comparable with that of
the Mayas is the system employed by their northern neighbours, the Nahuatl,
or, as they are more commonly designated, the Aztecs of Mexico. This system
is quite as pure and quite as simple as the Maya, but differs from it in
some important particulars. In its first 20 numerals it is quinary (see p.
141), and as a system must be regarded as quinary-vigesimal. The Maya scale
is decimal through its first 20 numerals, and, if it is to be regarded as a
mixed scale, must be characterized as decimal-vigesimal. But in both these
instances the vigesimal element preponderates so strongly that these, in
common with their kindred number systems of Mexico, Yucatan, and Central
America, are always thought of and alluded to as vigesimal scales. On
account of its importance, the Nahuatl system[365] is given in fuller
detail than most of the other systems I have made use of.

10. matlactli = 2 hands.
20. cempoalli = 1 counting.
21. cempoalli once = 20-1.
22. cempoalli omome = 20-2.
30. cempoalli ommatlactli = 20-10.
31. cempoalli ommatlactli once = 20-10-1.
40. ompoalli = 2 x 20.
50. ompoalli ommatlactli = 40-10.
60. eipoalli, or epoalli, = 3 x 20.
70. epoalli ommatlactli = 60-10.
80. nauhpoalli = 4 x 20.
90. nauhpoalli ommatlactli = 90-10.
100. macuilpoalli = 5 x 20.
120. chiquacempoalli = 6 x 20.
140. chicompoalli = 7 x 20.
160. chicuepoalli = 8 x 20.
180. chiconauhpoalli = 9 x 20.
200. matlacpoalli = 10 x 20.
220. matlactli oncempoalli = 11 x 20.
240. matlactli omompoalli = 12 x 20.
260. matlactli omeipoalli = 13 x 20.
280. matlactli onnauhpoalli = 14 x 20.
300. caxtolpoalli = 15 x 20.
320. caxtolli oncempoalli.
399. caxtolli onnauhpoalli ipan caxtolli onnaui = 19 x 20 + 19.
400. centzontli = 1 bunch of grass, or 1 tuft of hair.
800. ometzontli = 2 x 400.
1200. eitzontli = 3