Although he is referring to Mexican customs, yet it is worthy of note that in this Cortesian plate there is a sitting mummied figure, bound with cords, in the left space, which, according to my interpretation, is at the north side.
Since the foregoing was written I have received from Dr. D. G. Brinton a photo lithograph of the “wheel of the Ah-cuch-haab” found in the book of Chilan Balam, which he has kindly allowed me to use. This is shown in [Fig. 9].
In this (smaller circle) we see that Kan is placed at the top of the cross, denominated Lakin, or east; Cauac at the right, Nohol, or south; Muluc at the left, Xaman, or north; and Hiix at the bottom, Chikin, or west.
Although this shows the marks of Spanish or foreign influence, yet it affords corroborative evidence of the correctness of the view advanced. The upper and larger circle is retained only to show that the reading was around to the left, as in the Cortesian plate.
This result of our investigations, I repeat, forces us to the conclusion that a, [Fig. 7], is the symbol for east, as stated in my former work, b of north, c of west, and d of south.
Among the important results growing out of, and deductions to be drawn from, my discovery in regard to these two plates, I may mention the following:
First. That the order in which the groups and characters are to be taken is around to the left, opposite the course of the sun, which tallies with most of the authorities, and in reference to the Maya calendar confirms Perez’s statement, heretofore mentioned.
Second. That the cross, as has been generally supposed, was used among these nations as a symbol of the cardinal points.