to "imprison"
or "inclose," which is certainly appropriate to what we see in the
figure. As the symbol is over each of the three similar figures in the
division, it is probable that it is intended to denote something relating
to or observable in them. In the second division of Plates XV* and XVI*,
same codex, is this symbol, [Illustration: Hieroglyph] several times
repeated, and below each the figure of a priest or deity at work, each
carving, with a machete or hatchet, the head of an idol. The probable
signification is "Give twice twenty strokes with a machete," and hence is
but partially phonetic.

[Illustration: FIG. 388. Wooden idol in vessel with basket cover.]

Other examples bearing on this question may be found, but these are
believed to be sufficient to warrant the belief that at the time these
codices were written Maya culture had reached that stage where the idea
of phoneticism was being introduced into the writing. Yet it is certain,
and even susceptible of demonstration, that a large portion, perhaps the
majority, of the characters are symbols. The more I study these
characters the stronger becomes the conviction that they have grown out
of a pictographic system similar to that common among the Indians of
North America. The first step in advance appears to have been to
indicate, by characters, the gesture signs.

FOOTNOTES:

[345-1] See Chapter VI, Study of the Manuscript Troano, by Cyrus Thomas.

[354-1] Unfortunately the scrolls were overlooked in preparing the cut.

[358-1] Relacion de las cosas de Yucatan, p. 308.

[365-1] See Plates XVI*_b_ and XVII*_c_, Manuscript Troano.

[365-2] Study of the Manuscript Troano, pp. 141-161.

[366-1] As the term "ideograph" is somewhat broad and comprehensive, it
may be well enough to state that I use it as expressing that stage of
symbolic writing where the picture characters have so changed that all
resemblance to the objects they were originally intended to represent is
lost, and therefore they can only be considered as mnemonic signs.

[367-1] Study of the Manuscript Troano, by Cyrus Thomas, pp. 142, 143.

[370-1] Study of the Manuscript Troano, p. 147.

[370-2] Landa's Relacion, pp. 382, 383, Note 1.

INDEX

Adelung, J. C. cited 262

Aglio, Augustina, fac simile of Dresden Codex by 263-266

Boettiger, C. A., mention of Dresden Codex by 262
controversy with Abert concerning Dresden Codex 267

Brasseur, copy of the Manuscript Troa