rect in this opinion we will thereby be enabled to determine some doubtful characters, as, for example, that F 7, E 8 are the same as S 1, T 1, &c.
According to this theory, the lines and columns in the middle portion of the Tablet should be read from the left to the right along the lines until a column is reached, and then down the column thus: G, H, I, K, to L, and then down the L column; down the O column then P and Q. Now, let us test this: In O 3 we see the hand of our character m, although the loop is to the right. If it is the same as m, then P 1 should be our n; but the character as given by Catherwood is too imperfect to see any resemblance. But if we turn to Waldeck's plate or Dr. Rau's copy (Palenque Tablet, p. 33, Fig. 7), we see the head and protruding tongue characteristic of character n.
These facts, I think, are sufficient to establish the correctness of my theory.
The lines and dots at the left and on the top of the characters I am satisfied are numerals having the same signification as those in the Manuscript—that is, a single dot 1; two dots, 2, and so on; a single line, 5; two lines, 10, and so on. Those on the top of the characters I think correspond with the red numerals in the Manuscript, for if we examine them we find none of them exceed thirteen. Those on the side I think refer in some cases to the number of the month, in others to the day of the month or the number of the day. Where the character is the symbol of a day, and has numerals also on top, those on the side I think refer to the number of the month, as they never exceed 18. When the character is the symbol of a month, then, they denote the day of the month, as we see that in some cases they exceed 18, but never exceed 20. Where the character is the symbol of a day and has numerals at the side only, these I think denote the number of the day, as they never exceed 13. The little balls and loops at the bottom, and also the loops so frequent at the left side, and occasionally found on the top of the characters, have been, and to a certain extent are yet, a profound mystery; but a careful study of the little loops at the left side, and also of part of those at the top, will show that they have no signification whatever, but are left to fill out the squares and to form supports or guards to the little ball (or balls)—or numeral character for 1 (or 2)—in connection with which they are chiefly used. If we examine the inscrip-
