Page:Cacao by Dahlgren, B. E. (Bror Eric).djvu/11

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Cacao
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Fig. 2. Aztec glyph for 20 baskets heaped with cacao beans to the extent of four xiquipilli each. (The Book of Tributes).

fied in Aztec glyphs the kind and number of articles annually required by him from his provinces. The lists include arms, apparel, skins, feathers, shells, balsams, resins, perfumes, maize, peppers, etc. Cacao beans are mentioned several times, e. g., from Cihuatlan 80 bales of red cacao, from Tlaltelolco 20 baskets containing four xiquipilli (4x8000) of cacao beans. The district of Soconusco must have been famous even then for its cacao, for two hundred bales were required from there, together with 400 cups for drinking chocolate. On the basis of the information in this ancient document, the revenues of Montezuma

Fig. 3. Aztec glyph for 400 chocolate cups. (The Book of Tributes).

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