[208-2] There appears to be much confusion among writers who have referred to this subject in regard to the “Black Deities” of the codices. Dr Brinton’s remarks on this subject in his late work, “A Primer of Mayan Hieroglyphics,” does not clear up the confusion. Apparently he has not discovered that quite a number of these are merely black figures of well-recognized deities not thus usually colored. It appears also, judging by his statements, that Dr. Brinton has failed to identify the characteristics by which the different deities of this class are to be distinguished. Dr Schellhas, in his excellent paper “Die Gottergestallen der Maya Handschriften,” fails also to properly distinguish between these deities. Dr Seler, whose profound studies have thrown much light on the Maya hieroglyphs, fixes quite satisfactorily the characteristics of some of these deities, yet he confounds others which should have been separated.
[209-1] Dr Brinton (Primer of Mayan Hieroglyphics, p. 93) claims to have discovered that this hitherto supposed “vessel” is, in reality, “a drum.” As the four (Cort. 27a) are without any accompaniments to indicate their use as drums, and as each has above it one of the cardinal point signs, there is nothing, unless it be the form, to lead to the supposition that they are drums. In the same division of the two preceding and three following pages we see vessels of different kinds represented. In the lower divisions pages 29 and 30, are vessels somewhat of the same elongate, cylindrical form, borne on the backs of individuals; and also in the lower division of page 40 are four tall cylindrical vessels, in each of which the arm of a deity figure is thrust. This section is copied in Dr Brinton’s work with the subscript “The beneficent gods draw from their stores.” Additional proof, if any is needed to show that these are vessels, is found in the Tro. Codex. On plates 6* and 7* are tall cylindrical vessels with the same inverted V marks on them; moreover, one of them has the upper portion margined by the same tooth-like projection as those in the Cortesian plate. That these are vessels of some kind is apparent from the use the pictures show is made of them.
[209-2] See Brasseur’s lexicon under bacab, also the mention below, under the day Ik, of four vessels.
[210-1] Zeitschrift für Ethnologie, p. 115.
[210-2] A Study of the Manuscript Troano, pp. 80 and 56.
[214-1] Jour. Anthrop. Inst. G. B. and I., November, 1889, p. 121.
[214-2] Ibid., 1885, p. 199.
[214-3] Polynesian Race, vol I, pp. 75-77.
[214-4] Rev. Richard Taylor, Te-Ika-a-Maui; London, 1870.
[215-1] American Anthropologist, July, 1893, pp. 263-264.