gle words of which they
are composed; in other words, that they followed the rebus method of the
Mexicans.

Descending to particulars and examples, the following are, perhaps, the
strongest proofs which can be presented on this point:

As there can no longer be any doubt that the symbols for the cardinal
points have been ascertained and that those relating to the polar points
are distinguishable from those relating to the equatorial points, we are
justified in referring to them in this discussion. As each of the two
assigned to the equatorial points contains the symbol for "sun" or "day"
and as the two Maya words for these points--_Likin_ or _Lakin_ and
_Chikin_--contain the Maya term for sun or day ("kin"), there is some
reason for believing that the characters are phonetic. There is to be
added to this evidence the fact that the symbol of the month _Yaxkin_
contains the same sun symbol. It would be somewhat remarkable to find the
same single character in three different combinations, representing three
different ideas expressed by words containing the same sound, yet having
no reference to the sound.

It is now generally admitted by students of American paleography, on what
appears to be satisfactory evidence, that symbol No. 7 of the preceding
list, _Cab_, is used to signify "earth" or "land" and "honey," both of
which are designated by the same Maya term, _Cab_. As there is no
similarity in the things denoted the character is probably phonetic. The
"bee" appears also to be frequently indicated by the same character with
an affix, as may be seen by reference to the lower divisions of Plates
III*--X* of the Manuscript Troano.

The symbol No. 9 (U) of the preceding list is found repeatedly on vases
and also as a prefix to both simple and compound characters. As _U_ in
Maya signifies "moon," "vase," and certain pronouns and is also used as a
euphonic particle before vowels, we are perhaps justified in concluding
that the symbol is phonetic and denotes the word _U_. I am aware that
neither Perez nor Dr. Brinton gives "vase" as one of the meanings of this
word, yet its constant appearance on vessels seems to leave no doubt that
Brasseur is correct. Even admitting that he is mistaken and that we are
in error as to the signification of the symbol, its various uses justify
the belief that it is phonetic.

The symbol No. 34 of the preceding list, which is supposed to be that of
the god Ekchuah, is probably phonetic. The