[205] One of the most remarkable of these coincidences is that in the decoration of shells pointed out by Mr. Wm. H. Holmes, in his article on “Art in Shells,” in the Second Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology. (Washington, 1883.)
[206] On this point see “The Lineal Measures of the Semi-Civilized Nations of Mexico and Central America,” in my Essays of an Americanist, p. 433. (Philadelphia, 1890.)
[207] The principal authority is the work of Diego de Landa, Relacion de las Cosas de Yucatan. It has been twice published, once imperfectly by the Abbé Brasseur de Bourbourg, Paris, 1864, 8vo.; later very accurately by the Spanish government, Madrid, 1881, folio.
[208] The most profitable studies in the Maya hieroglyphs have been by Dr. Cyrus Thomas in the United States, Dr. E. Förstemann, Ed. Seler and Schellhas in Germany, and Prof. L. de Rosny in France. On the MSS. or codices preserved, see “The Writings and Records of the Ancient Mayas” in my Essays of an Americanist, pp. 230-254.
[209] Popul Vuh, Le Livre Sacré. Paris, 1861.
[210] The Annals of the Cakchiquels, the original text with a Translation, Notes and Introduction. Phila., 1885. (Volume VI. of my Library of Aboriginal American Literature.)
[211] See “The Books of Chilan Balam,” in my Essays of an Americanist, pp. 255-273.
[212] The name Huaves is derived from the Zapotec huavi, to become rotten through dampness. (Vocabulario Zapoteco. MS. in my possession.) It was probably a term of contempt.
[213] Nicaragua, its People and Scenery, Vol. II., p. 310.
[214] E. G. Squier, “A Visit to the Guajiquero Indians,” in Harper’s Magazine, October, 1859. A copy of his vocabularies is in my possession.