This is a Tonalamatl of the most ordinary kind, in which an unsuccessful attempt has been made to divide the subdivisions into equal parts.
In the groups of four hieroglyphs each, which belong to each of the six parts, the sign f always occupies the first place, and B the third. Let us now examine the six parts separately.
1. B is sitting in a boat and rowing (as on the top of the same page). Around his head there is again the suggestion of what may denote the starry sky, and in this picture his nose-peg is unusually large.
The second sign is an Imix, but it might also denote the thirteenth month Mac and therefore the Tonalamatl (13 × 20). The fourth sign is a fish forming a connecting link between the water represented below and the rest of the group.
2. B is seated on the Caban sign and his arms are apparently resting on an altar standing in front of him, on which fire is burning, indicated by the Ik sign, while the moon is placed below the altar.
The Caban sign below is repeated in the second hieroglyph, combined here as usual with a sign which may be Muluc.
The fourth sign is a head. I think the scribe meant to set down an 8 before it, but as there was not sufficient space for the heavy line after the three small circles, he indicated it by a black dot below the circles. Now, if we call the head D's, which of course cannot be asserted positively, this would be day VIII Ahau, and this, in fact, is twenty days from the beginning day I Ahau, as it is meant to be in this passage. There is no representation of food; can this have been a fast day?
3. B is seated on four astronomical signs. He wears the gala mantle and holds a serpent in his hand.
The second sign is b, and at the same time one of the astronomical signs. The fourth is the iguana prepared as food, recognizable by the spines on its back, as on page 25b. It is drawn in precisely the same curious fashion in Cort. 8 and 12c; hence it is represented in the picture by the serpent.