Deducting from this number all the Calendar Rounds possible, 73 (see Table [XVI]), and applying rules 1, 2, and 3 (pp. [139], [140], and [141],
respectively) to the remainder, the terminal day reached will be found to be 6 Ahau 13 Kayab.
In B5 the profile variant of the day sign, Ahau, is clearly recorded (fig. [16], h', i'), and to it is attached a head-variant numeral. Comparing this with the head-variant numerals in figures [51]-[53], the student will have little difficulty in identifying it as the head for 6 (see fig. [51], t-v). Note the so-called "hatchet eye" in A5, which is the determining characteristic of the head for 6 (see p. [99]). Passing over A6 B6, A7 B7, A8 B8, we reach in A9 the closing glyph of the Supplementary Series, here showing the head-variant coefficient 10 (see fig. [52], m-r). In B9, the next glyph, is recorded the month 13 Kayab (see fig. [19], d'-f'). The whole Initial Series therefore reads 9.17.5.0.0 6 Ahau 13 Kayab.
All the Initial Series heretofore presented have had normal-form numerals with the exception of an incidental head-variant number here and there. By this time the student should have become thoroughly familiar with the use of bar and dot numerals in the inscriptions and should be ready for the presentation of texts showing head-variant numerals, a more difficult group of glyphs to identify.
In plate [12], A, is figured the Initial Series on the tablet from the Temple of the Foliated Cross at Palenque.[[151]] The introducing glyph appears in A1 B2, and is followed by the Initial-series number in A3-B7. The student will have little difficulty in identifying the heads in B3, B4, B5, B6, and B7 as the head variants for the cycle, katun, tun, uinal, and kin, respectively. The head in A3 prefixed to the cycle glyph in B3 has for its determining characteristic the forehead ornament composed of more than one part (here, of two parts). As explained on page [97], this is the essential element of the head for 1. Compare A3 with figure [51], a-e, and the two glyphs will be found to be identical. We may conclude, therefore, that in place of the usual 9 cycles heretofore encountered in Initial Series, we have recorded in A3-B3 1 cycle.[[152]] The katun coefficient in A4 resembles closely the cycle coefficient except that its forehead ornament is composed of but a single part, a large curl. As explained on page [97], the heads for 1 and 8 are very similar, and are to be distinguished from each other only by their forehead ornaments, the former having a forehead ornament composed of more than one part, as in A3, and the latter a forehead ornament composed of but one part, as here in A4. This head, moreover, is very similar to the head for 8 in figure [52], a-f; indeed, the only difference is that the former has a fleshless lower jaw. This is the essential element of the head for 10 (see p. [100]); when applied to the head for any other numeral it increases the value of the resulting head by 10. Therefore we have recorded in A4 B4, 18 (8 + 10) katuns. The tun coefficient in A5 has for its determining characteristic the tun headdress, which, as explained on page [99], is the essential element of the head for 5 (see fig. [51], n-s). Therefore A5 represents 5, and A5 B5, 5 tuns. The uinal coefficient in A6 has for its essential elements the large bulging eye, square irid, and snaglike front tooth. As stated on page [98], these characterize the head for 4, examples of which are given in figure [51], j-m. Consequently, A6 B6 records 4 uinals. The kin coefficient in A7 is quite clearly 0. The student will readily recognize the clasped hand, which is the determining characteristic of the 0 head (see p. [101] and fig. [53], s-w). The number recorded in A3-B7 is, therefore, 1.18.5.4.0. Reducing this number to units of the 1st order by means of Table [XIII], we obtain:
BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGYBULLETIN 57 PLATE 12
GLYPHS REPRESENTING INITIAL SERIES, SHOWING USE OF HEAD-VARIANT NUMERALS AND PERIOD GLYPHS